IFZA Costs & Review 2026

IFZA packages start from AED 12,900/year (zero-visa). A 1-visa package is AED 14,900 license, with total Year 1 around AED 28,790 including all fees. Through agents, Year 1 all-in can be AED 20,000–25,000.

Always use a registered Professional Partner. IFZA's B2B model means direct pricing is 20–70% higher than agent pricing. Agents like Virtuzone and Creative Zone offer significantly better all-in packages.

License issued in 2–5 business days. Full process including visa, medical, and Emirates ID: approximately 3–4 weeks.

Moderate. Partnerships with Wio Bank, Mashreq, and CBD. Realistic timeline: 2–6 weeks. Wio offers fastest digital onboarding. High-risk sectors face additional requirements.

Yes, since September 2025. Small companies (under AED 3M turnover, under 9 staff) submit simplified reports. Medium and large companies need formal audits. Budget AED 3,000–15,000/year for accounting.

Not directly, but Resolution No. 11 of 2025 allows free zone companies to obtain a mainland branch permit (AED 5,000, up to 6 months). Mainland revenue is subject to 9% corporate tax.

Up to 7 per license. First 3 included free, extras AED 1,000 each. General trading add-on: AED 10,000. Total: 800+ permitted activities.

IFZA does not require a physical office or flexi desk for its zero-visa license at AED 12,900. If you need workspace for meetings or a physical address, flexi desk options through IFZA's agent network start from approximately AED 6,300/year. This is optional — most IFZA licensees operate without one.

License renewal from AED 12,900 + AED 2,200 establishment card + AED 6,300 flexi desk. Total annual renewal with 1 visa: ~AED 22,400–26,400. Multi-year discounts: 15–30%.

IFZA is a strong choice for budget-conscious founders who want a Dubai address. Pros: lowest Dubai entry at AED 12,900, no office requirement, 800+ activities, 2-5 day license issuance. Cons: B2B agent model means pricing varies 20-70% between agents, banking rated 'Moderate' (expect 2-6 weeks for account opening), and mandatory financial statements since September 2025. IFZA works best for consultants, e-commerce operators, and freelancers. It is not ideal for businesses that need premium banking or institutional credibility — DMCC or DIFC serve that market.

IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) operates under the authority of the Dubai government. It was established in 2018 in Fujairah and relocated to Dubai Silicon Oasis in 2020. While it functions under a government-regulated framework with official free zone authority status, IFZA operates a B2B model through Professional Partners (agents) rather than dealing with licensees directly. It is a legitimate Dubai free zone — not a private company.

Yes. An IFZA residence visa lets you live anywhere in the UAE — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or any other emirate. Your visa is tied to your IFZA license, not to a physical location. Most IFZA licensees live in Dubai. The only requirement is occasional visits to Dubai Silicon Oasis or relevant government offices for visa-related processes like medical examinations and Emirates ID fingerprinting.

IFZA license cancellation requires: (1) settling all outstanding fees and fines, (2) cancelling employee visas and obtaining cancellation stamps, (3) closing your corporate bank account, (4) submitting a cancellation application through your agent, (5) returning your trade license and establishment card. The process takes 2-4 weeks. There is a cancellation fee — confirm the exact amount with your Professional Partner. You cannot cancel if you have active visas or outstanding audit requirements.

Total IFZA company formation cost depends on how many visas you need. Zero-visa setup: AED 12,900 (license only). With 1 visa the end-to-end cost is AED 28,790 — that covers the AED 14,900 license, AED 6,300 flexi desk, AED 2,000 establishment card, AED 3,750 visa fee, AED 450 medical, AED 390 Emirates ID, and AED 1,000 health insurance. Through agents, the same 1-visa formation runs AED 20,000–25,000 all-in. Add AED 3,000–5,000 for first-year accounting compliance since the September 2025 audit mandate. Budget AED 25,000–35,000 total for a realistic 1-visa company formation.

Partially. IFZA allows crypto consulting, advisory, and blockchain development activities but does not permit exchange, custody, or token issuance. A crypto-related activity add-on costs AED 5,000–20,000 on top of your base license (from AED 12,900). For full crypto exchange or custody licensing you need DMCC (which has a dedicated Crypto Centre) or apply to VARA for a Dubai virtual asset license. IFZA works for crypto consultants and blockchain service providers — not for businesses that handle customer funds.

IFZA employment visa costs AED 4,590 per person: AED 3,750 visa fee + AED 450 medical examination + AED 390 Emirates ID typing. Add AED 1,000 for mandatory health insurance — total AED 5,590 per visa holder. Investor visas cost AED 4,750 (AED 1,000 more than employee visas). In-country status change adds AED 1,600 if you are converting a visit visa. Dependent visas are AED 4,500 each. Visa renewal is AED 4,000 every 2 years. Processing takes 3–4 weeks end-to-end including medical, EID fingerprinting, and visa stamping.

IFZA offers four standard packages: (1) Zero Visa Package at AED 12,900/year — license and 3 activities, no visa, no office required. (2) 1 Visa Package at AED 14,900 license — AED 28,790 Year 1 total including flexi desk, establishment card, visa, medical, EID, and insurance; renews at AED 24,400. (3) 2 Visa Package at AED 16,900 license — AED 36,380 Year 1 total; renews at AED 27,400. (4) 3 Visa Package at AED 18,900 license — AED 43,970 Year 1 total; renews at AED 29,400. All packages include 3 business activities (extras AED 1,000 each, up to 7). Multi-year discounts: 15% for 2-year, up to 30% for 5-year commitments. Through agents, Year 1 prices are typically 20–40% lower than published rates.