IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is one of the most quoted names when founders price a Dubai free zone company – and one of the most misunderstood, because the widely advertised package price is not the number you will actually pay in year one.
This guide breaks down IFZA package tiers by visa quota, what the headline price excludes, per-visa fees, setup steps and the renewal costs, including the financial statement requirement that surprises many owners in year two.
What You Need to Know First
An IFZA 0-visa license starts at around AED 12,900 per year (indicative, as of mid-2026). A realistic first-year total with one visa is roughly AED 20,700-22,200 once you add the establishment card (~AED 2,000-2,500) and per-person visa components (~AED 3,800-4,800). You can weigh IFZA against other zones in the free zone comparison tool.
- Package tiers by visa quota: ~AED 12,900 (0 visas), ~14,900 (1 visa), ~19,900 (3 visas), ~26,900 (6 visas) – indicative, as of mid-2026.
- You buy through authorized Professional Partners, not from IFZA directly – quotes vary by partner.
- Renewal for a 1-visa license runs around AED 17,100 and requires a financial statement.
- Packages and promotions change – confirm current pricing with the zone or a consultant before committing.
IFZA at a glance
| Factor | Detail (indicative, as of mid-2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | IFZA Business Park, Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis |
| Entry license (0 visas) | ~AED 12,900 per year |
| Share capital | No minimum share capital requirement |
| Office | Flexi-desk included as standard |
| Visa capacity | Up to 7 visas without upgrading to a physical office |
| Setup timeline | Typically 3-5 working days after documents are in order |
| Renewal (1 visa) | ~AED 17,100 plus a mandatory financial statement |
How you actually buy an IFZA license: the Professional Partner model
You cannot buy an IFZA license from a public price list, because IFZA distributes licenses through a network of authorized Professional Partners – registered agents and consultancies – and publishes no retail pricing itself. This model has three practical consequences. First, two founders can receive different quotes for the same license, because partners bundle their own service fees and run their own promotions. Second, your partner remains your ongoing point of contact for renewals, amendments and visa processing, so their responsiveness matters as much as their price. Third, always ask for an itemized quote that separates the license fee, establishment card, visa components and the partner’s service fee. If you want help finding a provider, you can compare free zone setup support from verified consultants.
IFZA activities and license types
IFZA issues licenses across a wide published activities list, grouped into license types that cover most small-business models: commercial (trading), professional (services and consultancy), general trading, industrial, holding, media, e-commerce and freelance-style permits. You select activities from the list when applying, and combinations across related activities are usually possible on one license. Two practical notes: a general trading license typically carries a surcharge of roughly AED 10,000 per year on top of standard pricing (indicative, as of mid-2026), and your chosen activities should match what you will actually invoice – banks compare the license activity against your real business during account opening and reviews. If an activity you need is not on the list, ask a partner whether a close match or a dual-activity combination is acceptable before you commit.
IFZA package tiers by visa quota
IFZA prices packages by the number of visa slots on the license. Indicative tiers as of mid-2026:
| Package | Visa quota | Indicative price per year |
|---|---|---|
| Zero visa | 0 | ~AED 12,900 |
| One visa | 1 | ~AED 14,900 |
| Three visas | 3 | ~AED 19,900 |
| Six visas | 6 | ~AED 26,900 |
Each additional visa slot adds roughly AED 2,000 to the license price, and multi-year licenses are often discounted by around 10-25%. Packages and promotions change – confirm current tiers with the zone or a consultant. To turn a package price into a full budget with visas and extras, use the business setup cost calculator.
What the headline price excludes
The advertised package covers the license and flexi-desk – not the items below, which apply to almost every real setup. Indicative figures as of mid-2026:
| Item | Indicative cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment card | ~AED 2,000-2,500 | Required before any visa can be processed |
| Entry permit | ~AED 900-1,200 | Per person, each visa |
| Status change | ~AED 750-900 | Per person, if converting status inside the UAE |
| Medical test | ~AED 300-400 | Per person, each visa and renewal |
| Emirates ID | ~AED 1,000-1,200 | Per person, per visa duration |
| Visa stamping | ~AED 850-1,100 | Per person, each visa |
How to set up an IFZA company
- Choose activities and visa quota. Pick activities from the IFZA list and a package tier matching your first-year hiring plan.
- Select a Professional Partner. Request itemized quotes from more than one partner and compare service fees, not just totals.
- Submit KYC documents. Passport copies, photos and a short business description are usually enough; no minimum share capital deposit is required.
- Sign incorporation documents. This can typically be done remotely; the license is usually issued in 3-5 working days.
- Apply for the establishment card and visas. The card comes first, then entry permits, medicals, Emirates ID and stamping per person.
- Open a bank account. Prepare your license, business plan and proof of activity; timelines vary by bank.
IFZA renewal reality: year 2 and beyond
Renewals cost more than most founders expect, and this is where IFZA differs from flat-fee zones. Indicative figures as of mid-2026:
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| License renewal, 1-visa package | ~AED 17,100 |
| License renewal, 2-visa package | ~AED 19,100 |
| Simplified financial statement (turnover up to AED 3M and fewer than 9 staff) | ~AED 499 |
| Audited financial statements (above those thresholds) | From ~AED 1,500, depending on the auditor and complexity |
The financial statement is mandatory at renewal, not optional. Small companies within the turnover and headcount thresholds can file the simplified statement; everyone else needs audited accounts. Factor this into any comparison with zones that renew flat – the IFZA vs Meydan vs SHAMS comparison covers exactly this trade-off. Renewal fees change – confirm current pricing with the zone or a consultant.
Hidden costs checklist
Before you sign, check whether your quote accounts for these common extras:
- General trading surcharge (~AED 10,000 per year, indicative) if you need that license type.
- Partner service fees, sometimes quoted separately from government and zone fees.
- Document attestation and translation for corporate shareholders or non-standard documents.
- Dependent visas for family members, each with their own component fees.
- Amendments after issuance – activity changes, trade name changes, share transfers.
- Bank account minimum balance requirements, which are a cash commitment rather than a fee.
How IFZA compares on cost
IFZA’s entry pricing sits in the mid-range of budget-friendly UAE zones: cheaper zones exist, especially outside Dubai, but few combine a Dubai address, up to 7 visas on a flexi-desk and this license variety – see the cheapest free zones roundup and the broader cost to set up a company in Dubai for context. The honest comparison is total cost over two years including renewal and the financial statement, which you can model in the free zone comparison tool.
FAQ
How much does an IFZA license cost in 2026?
Indicatively, as of mid-2026, IFZA packages start at around AED 12,900 per year for a 0-visa license, ~AED 14,900 with 1 visa slot, ~AED 19,900 with 3 and ~AED 26,900 with 6. These are package prices before the establishment card and per-visa fees. Packages and promotions change – confirm current pricing with the zone or a consultant.
What is included in an IFZA package price?
The package typically covers the license itself, the stated visa quota (as slots, not issued visas) and a flexi-desk workspace. It does not include the establishment card (~AED 2,000-2,500) or per-person visa components (~AED 3,800-4,800), nor bank account costs or partner service fees. All figures are indicative, as of mid-2026 – ask for an itemized quote.
What does an IFZA license renewal cost?
Indicatively, as of mid-2026, renewing a 1-visa IFZA license costs around AED 17,100 and a 2-visa license around AED 19,100. A financial statement is also mandatory at renewal: a simplified statement of roughly AED 499 if turnover is AED 3 million or less with fewer than 9 staff, otherwise audited accounts. Renewal fees change – verify current pricing before your renewal date.
How many visas can I get with an IFZA license?
IFZA typically allows up to 7 residence visas on a standard flexi-desk package, which is generous compared with many zones at this price level. Packages are sold by visa quota (0, 1, 3 or 6 slots as standard tiers), and you can usually add slots later for roughly AED 2,000 per slot on the license price, indicative as of mid-2026.
What government fees come on top of the IFZA package?
Expect the establishment card at roughly AED 2,000-2,500, then per person: entry permit ~AED 900-1,200, status change ~AED 750-900 if done inside the UAE, medical test ~AED 300-400, Emirates ID ~AED 1,000-1,200 and visa stamping ~AED 850-1,100. That totals about AED 3,800-4,800 per visa. All indicative, as of mid-2026 – confirm current fees with the zone or your partner.
Can I upgrade my IFZA package later?
Usually yes. Visa quota can typically be increased after setup through your Professional Partner, with the license price stepping up per additional slot, and activities can be amended for a fee. Upgrading mid-term may involve amendment charges, so if you already know you will hire in year one, buying the right tier upfront is often cheaper than upgrading later.
Do I need to be in the UAE to set up an IFZA company?
Incorporation can generally be completed remotely through a Professional Partner – document signing and license issuance do not require your presence. You will need to enter the UAE for the residence visa steps (medical test and Emirates ID biometrics) if you take a visa, and most banks expect an in-person meeting for account opening, although some digital-first banks are more flexible.
Does IFZA require an audit?
IFZA requires a financial statement at license renewal. Companies with turnover of AED 3 million or less and fewer than 9 staff can usually file a simplified statement costing roughly AED 499 (indicative, as of mid-2026); larger companies need audited financial statements, typically from ~AED 1,500 upward depending on complexity. Separately, corporate tax rules may require audited accounts for some free zone companies – check with a tax adviser.
Is IFZA in Dubai proper?
Yes. IFZA is headquartered at IFZA Business Park in Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis – a Dubai address and a Dubai-registered company. This matters to founders whose clients or banks prefer Dubai-based entities, and it is one of the main reasons IFZA is compared against Sharjah-based budget zones rather than only against other Dubai zones.
Next Steps
Request itemized quotes from at least two IFZA Professional Partners, add the establishment card and per-visa components to the package price, and budget year-two renewal including the financial statement before you commit.
Check how IFZA stacks up against other zones in the free zone comparison tool before you sign.
Sources
UAE Business Setup Specialist
Krystyna Sokolovska is a UAE business setup specialist who helps founders, independent professionals, and growing companies navigate business launch decisions in the Emirates with more clarity and less risk. Her work focuses on the practical side of entry into the UAE market — choosing the right setup path, understanding licensing options, preparing for banking, planning visa steps, and avoiding common mistakes that slow companies down.
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