Free zone · Dubai
IFZA Company Setup: International Free Zone Authority, Dubai
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is a Dubai free zone based in Dubai Silicon Oasis that issues commercial and professional licences to companies with up to 100% foreign ownership. Applications go through its network of professional partners, and it suits consultants, service firms and traders who want a Dubai free zone licence without a large office.
Fact-checked against official sources on · EH Management Consultancy LLC
At a glance
Key facts about IFZA
- Emirate
- Dubai
- Location
- IFZA Business Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Licence types
- Commercial and professional
- Ownership
- Up to 100% foreign ownership
- How you apply
- Through IFZA’s professional partners
- UAE mainland trading
- Not directly; through a distributor or a mainland branch
What is IFZA and how does it work?
IFZA started in Fujairah and later relocated to Dubai Silicon Oasis, so companies licensed there today hold a Dubai free zone licence and an address in the IFZA Business Park. Dubai Silicon Oasis itself sits under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ).
IFZA runs a business-to-business model: it does not usually take applications directly from founders but through registered professional partners who prepare and submit the file. In practice that means the quality of your adviser matters, because the activity you choose, the shareholder structure and the package determine your visas, banking and tax position for years.
Activities
What can a IFZA company do?
- Consultancy and professional services
- General and specialised trading
- IT, software and digital services
- Marketing, media and design services
- E-commerce and online services
Check your exact activity code against the zone’s current list; some activities need approval from another authority first.
Premises
What premises are available?
- Office space in the IFZA Business Park
- Package-based options for small companies (check what each package includes)
- Larger offices as your headcount grows
Visas
How many visas can a IFZA company get?
Your visa allocation depends on the licence package and the premises you take. Each residence visa then follows the standard UAE route: entry permit or status change, medical test, Emirates ID biometrics and visa stamping.
Tax
How is a IFZA company taxed?
An IFZA company is a free zone person for UAE corporate tax. It must register with the Federal Tax Authority and file an annual return. If it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, its qualifying income is taxed at 0%; other taxable income is taxed at 9%.
Good fit
Who is IFZA best for?
- Consultants and professional-service firms
- Holding a Dubai licence for international clients
- Founders who want a Dubai address at modest premises cost
- Small trading companies importing and re-exporting
Think twice
When is it not the right fit?
- Shops, restaurants or clinics serving walk-in UAE customers
- Companies that need government contracts on the mainland
- Businesses that need large warehouses or industrial land
Process
How to set up a company in IFZA
-
01
Confirm the activity
Check the activity is on the zone’s list and whether it needs external approval.
-
02
Choose the package and premises
Match visas, premises and budget.
-
03
Submit the application
Shareholder documents, activity details and name options.
-
04
Sign and pay
Sign the zone’s registration documents and pay fees.
-
05
Receive licence and establishment card
The zone issues the licence and company documents.
-
06
Visas and banking
Apply for residence visas and open the corporate account.
Checklist
What should you check before applying?
Settle these before you pay any fees in IFZA.
- 01
Confirm your exact activity is on IFZA’s list before choosing a package.
- 02
Decide how many visas you need now and in the next year, since the package sets the allocation.
- 03
Ask what premises the package includes and whether you need a dedicated office for banking.
- 04
Prepare passport copies, proof of address and a short business description for each shareholder.
- 05
Plan corporate tax registration from the start, even if you expect to pay 0%.
Frequently asked
Questions about IFZA
Is IFZA in Dubai or Fujairah?
IFZA is in Dubai. It started in Fujairah and relocated to Dubai Silicon Oasis, where its business park is located today. Companies licensed by IFZA now hold a Dubai free zone licence.
Can an IFZA company trade with mainland UAE customers?
Not directly. Like other free zone companies, it can trade inside the zone and internationally. To sell to mainland customers it needs a local distributor, a mainland branch or another permitted arrangement.
Can I apply to IFZA myself?
IFZA works mainly through registered professional partners, who prepare and file applications. EHMC prepares your file, checks the activity and structure, and coordinates the submission for you.
Does an IFZA company pay corporate tax?
It must register and file. If it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, including substance and audited accounts, qualifying income is taxed at 0% and other taxable income at 9%.
Official sources
Verify it yourself
Zones change packages and rules. These official pages are the references behind this guide.
Related
Services and guides
Not sure IFZA is right?
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