IFZA company setup: visas, timeline and who it suits
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IFZA, the International Free Zone Authority, is one of the two zones consultants ask us about most (the other is Meydan). Dubai Transition Consultants is an IFZA agent, so we file IFZA applications for clients directly. This page summarises what IFZA offers, from its own website as at October 2026. For the wider comparison see the free zone hub.
In depth: our full guide, IFZA explained: who the freezone suits, covers activities, banking and how IFZA compares with RAKEZ.
Who IFZA suits
- Consultants, contractors and agency owners who want a Dubai licence with one or two visas.
- Service businesses that need more than one activity on the licence.
- Small trading businesses that import or export goods under a commercial licence.
- Companies already incorporated abroad that want a UAE branch rather than a new company.
IFZA suits you less if your clients need a well-known name on your letterhead (look at DMCC), if you hold stock in a warehouse (look at RAKEZ), or if you need to sell direct to UAE consumers (see free zone, mainland or offshore).
IFZA at a glance
- Location: Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai.
- Professional licence: for consultancy and multi-service businesses.
- Commercial licence: trading, import and export of a wide range of compliant goods.
- Branch: for companies already incorporated abroad.
- Ownership: IFZA states 100% ownership for foreign owners.
- Office: IFZA says virtual workplaces are allowed for some free zone companies.
- Remote setup: no physical presence required during incorporation, IFZA says.
- Banking: IFZA names Wio and Mashreq among its partner banks, alongside electronic money institutions.
Timeline
IFZA publishes the steps rather than a fixed number of days: consultation, documents, processing on the IFZA portal, approval, e-signed agreements, then the licence issued by email. From our side, the licence is the quick part. The residence visa, Emirates ID and bank account take longer and need you in the UAE. Our guide to how long setup takes gives the full sequence.
How we set up an IFZA company
We take your brief, confirm IFZA is the right zone for your activity and visa count, and give you one all-in price. We prepare the application and the beneficial owner details, you sign online from wherever you are, and we track the licence through to issue. Then we book your visa medical, Emirates ID appointment and bank meetings into one short trip. Your home country's tax rules still apply to you, and some countries tax a company where it is managed, so check that before you rely on the move for tax. Details are on our company formation service page.
Questions people ask
Where is IFZA based?
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is based in Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, as at October 2026. Your company gets a Dubai free zone licence.
Can I set up an IFZA company from abroad?
Yes. IFZA states on its setup page that no physical presence is required during incorporation. You come to the UAE later for the residence visa medical, Emirates ID biometrics and usually the bank meeting.
What licence types does IFZA offer?
IFZA lists a professional licence for consultancy and multi-service businesses, a commercial licence for trading, import and export of goods, and branch registration for companies already incorporated abroad.
Do I need an office for an IFZA company?
Not a full office in most cases. IFZA says virtual workplaces are allowed for some free zone companies. If you plan several visas, the space you take matters, so plan it with the visa count.
Can I open a bank account with an IFZA company?
Yes. IFZA says it has partnered with Wio, Mashreq and other UAE banks and electronic money institutions, and that most of its clients can open an account within a couple of days. That is IFZA's claim; the bank makes its own decision on your file.
How much does an IFZA licence cost?
IFZA packages vary by licence type, activity mix, visa count and years, and they change. We quote one all-in price for your activity covering the licence, visa and bank account support rather than publishing free zone fees.
Sources
Free zone rules change often. We read each of these official pages in October 2026; check the current version before you rely on a detail.