The International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) is a Dubai-based jurisdiction located within the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). It is the primary license issuer for foreign investors seeking remote company formation without a mandatory physical office lease or annual audit report.
Operated under the regulatory framework of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), IFZA allows for 100% Foreign Ownership of Commercial, Professional, and Industrial activities. Unlike standalone zones, IFZA licenses are recognized as “Dubai Government” entities, granting higher acceptance rates with Wio Business, Mashreq Neo, and federal authorities.
Located within the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), IFZA offers the regulatory credibility of a Dubai Government license combined with a cost structure typically found in Northern Emirates. It is the primary choice for investors who require banking stability without the expense of a physical office lease.
Unlike remote jurisdictions, IFZA licenses are issued under the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA). This “Dubai” stamp significantly improves approval rates with federal authorities and banks.
IFZA entities have a high acceptance rate with digital platforms like Wio Business and Mashreq Neo, as well as traditional banks (ENBD), due to their physical traceability in Dubai.
Combine up to 3 distinct business activities (e.g., Marketing Consultancy + E-commerce Trading) under a single license fee. Most other zones require separate licenses for different categories.
Incorporate immediately without depositing share capital into a bank account. This reduces your initial cash flow requirement to zero.
Access the region’s only government-accredited learning center for business training, offering certifications that support your visa application and professional standing.
Complete the entire company formation, from name reservation to license issuance, digitally. No physical presence in the UAE is required for the license phase.
Designed for consultants, service providers, and digital professionals. This license permits you to offer non-physical services such as IT Consultancy, Marketing Management, HR Advisory, and Lifestyle Coaching.
Key Benefit: You can invoice Mainland clients directly for services without a local agent.
Ownership: 100% Foreign Ownership.
Authorized for the import, export, distribution, and storage of specific goods. You can select up to 3 distinct product lines (e.g., Electronics, Foodstuff, and Garments) under a single license.
Trade Scope: Goods can be traded within the Free Zone, re-exported internationally, or sold to the Mainland via a distributor.
Tax Note: Income from trading with Mainland consumers (B2C) is subject to 9% Corporate Tax if it exceeds AED 375,000.
Permits the import of raw materials for manufacturing, processing, packaging, and export. This license is required for light industrial activities within the Dubai Silicon Oasis Industrial Park.
Requirement: You must lease a physical warehouse or industrial unit within the DSO zone to obtain this license.
Allows an existing company (whether a UAE Mainland entity or a Foreign Parent Company) to open a branch within IFZA.
Liability: The branch is not a separate legal entity; it is an extension of the parent company.
Use Case: Ideal for expanding operations into Dubai without separate share capital requirements.
Strictly for holding standalone assets or shares in other companies. This license does not permit the trading of goods or services.
Purpose: Used for asset protection, controlling subsidiaries, or managing property portfolios in Dubai (subject to Land Department approval).
IFZA companies operate under the jurisdiction of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) and strictly adhere to UAE Federal Laws. Al Arabiya Group manages these mandatory filings to prevent license suspension or fiscal penalties.
Every IFZA entity, regardless of profit or activity, must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and obtain a Tax Registration Number (TRN).
The Rule: You must file an annual tax return.
The Fine: Failure to register within the specified timeline results in an automatic administrative penalty of AED 10,000.
Tax Rate: 0% applies only to “Qualifying Income” (e.g., transactions with other Free Zone Persons). All other income exceeding AED 375,000 is taxed at 9%.
If your IFZA company conducts “Relevant Activities” (such as Distribution, Headquarters Services, or Holding Company business), you must file an annual notification to prove you have adequate economic presence in the UAE.
Requirement: You must demonstrate that your Core Income-Generating Activities (CIGA) occur within the UAE.
Risk: Non-compliance leads to license revocation and fines starting from AED 50,000.
IFZA mandates the transparency of ownership. You must maintain a register of the “Real Beneficiary” (any individual owning 25% or more of the company) and file this with the authority.
Deadline: This must be filed at the time of incorporation and updated within 15 days of any shareholding change.
Because IFZA licenses are issued by a Dubai Government Authority (DSOA), they hold a “Low Risk” classification with most UAE banks compared to Northern Emirate licenses.
Digital Banks: Immediate account opening with Wio Business and Mashreq Neo.
Traditional Banks: We assist in structuring your file for Emirates NBD or Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD).
Affordable UAE free zone company set up packages with transparent pricing. Choose the right jurisdiction and license type for your business goals.
IFZA pricing depends on whether you need only a trade licence or a complete company setup with UAE residency. Licence-only configurations start from a lower price, while packages that include a residence visa, medical fitness testing, Emirates ID processing and workspace access have a higher overall first-year cost.
For a detailed breakdown of what is included, what may be charged separately, how visa requirements affect pricing and what to expect at renewal, read our IFZA Licence Cost 2026 guide. If you would like a personalised estimate based on your business activities, visa requirements and office needs, use the UAE Business Setup Cost Calculator before requesting your quotation.
Al Arabiya Group manages the entire incorporation through the IFZA partner portal. We execute a strict four-step procedure to guarantee your 2026 setup meets all Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) legal requirements.
We map your business operations to the exact activity codes recognized by the authority. You can select up to three distinct activities (Commercial or Professional) under a single license fee. During this stage, we secure your required visa quota (0, 1, 2, or more) based on your chosen package, removing the requirement to rent a physical office space.
We submit your passport copy, a digital photograph, and three trade name options to the registry. The DSOA conducts an internal security background check prior to approval. We verify that your proposed name adheres to the UAE Federal Commercial Companies Law to prevent processing delays.
Upon security clearance, we process the final government fees. IFZA issues your digital Trade License, the Memorandum of Association (MoA), and the Flexi-Desk Lease Agreement. This electronic document package is dispatched within 3 to 5 working days and allows you to immediately apply for a corporate bank account with Wio Business or Mashreq Neo.
If you require UAE residency, we generate your Establishment Card and apply for the Entry Permit (E-Visa). Once the permit is active, we organize your mandatory medical fitness test and biometric fingerprinting for the Emirates ID. The IFZA investor or employment visa remains valid for two years. After your Emirates ID is issued, we process the dependent visas for your family members.
FAQ's
IFZA stands for the International Free Zone Authority It operates under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA). The headquarters and associated facilities are located within Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO).
An IFZA Dubai Free Zone license package costs AED 17,650. This specific setup provides a strategic Dubai location and allows the registration of up to three business activities under a maximum of three shareholders. The AED 17,650 fee directly covers one lifetime residency visa, the mandatory medical fitness test, the Emirates ID issuance, and a one-year lease for a co-working space.
No. IFZA allows 100% foreign ownership for all commercial, professional, and industrial activities. You do not need to appoint an Emirati partner or a local service agent to register the company or operate within the free zone.
An IFZA entity cannot sell physical goods directly to consumers (B2C) on the UAE Mainland without appointing a locally licensed distributor or customs agent. For professional services (such as IT consulting or marketing), you can legally issue invoices directly to Mainland clients from your free zone company.
IFZA provides a digital “Flexi-desk” agreement with every standard license package. Digital banks like Wio Business and Mashreq Neo accept this flexi-desk contract as a valid physical address for corporate account approval. You do not need to lease a physical office space unless you require a warehouse for industrial activities.
IFZA entities pay 0% Corporate Tax only on “Qualifying Income,” such as revenue generated from transactions with other Free Zone Persons. Income derived from trading directly with Mainland consumers is subject to the standard 9% tax rate if the total taxable income exceeds AED 375,000. All IFZA companies must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) to avoid the AED 10,000 late registration fine.
The Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority does not require IFZA companies to submit an audited financial report to renew the annual trade license. Under UAE Federal Tax regulations, you must maintain audited financial statements internally for seven years to validate your tax declarations during an FTA inspection.
