The International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) is Dubai’s fastest-growing free zone and one of the UAE’s most popular choices for international SMEs and entrepreneurs. IFZA processed 15,000+ new incorporations in 2023 — making it one of the highest-volume free zones in the UAE.
Why IFZA Is Popular
IFZA combines a Dubai address with competitive all-inclusive pricing: IFZA Solo Package (1 activity, virtual address, 1 visa): AED 12,500/year all-in. IFZA Flex Package (3 activities, flexi desk, 2 visas): AED 14,500/year. IFZA Premium (5 activities, flexi desk, 3 visas): AED 17,500/year. All IFZA packages include: trade licence, registration certificate, share certificate, and up to the stated number of residence visas. No hidden fees — the quoted price is comprehensive.
IFZA Bank Account Opening
IFZA has established relationships with UAE banks and provides bank introduction letters as part of its service. Banks familiar with IFZA entities: WIO Bank (fastest — digital onboarding), Mashreq Neo, Emirates NBD SME, RAK Bank, and First Abu Dhabi Bank. IFZA’s bank introduction service has significantly improved account opening success rates for its members vs. smaller free zones.
IFZA Location and Setup
IFZA is located in Dubai Silicon Oasis — a tech-focused community 25 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 35 minutes from downtown Dubai. Virtual address companies do not need to be physically located in DSO — the IFZA address is used for the trade licence but the business can operate remotely. Companies choosing a physical office can access DSO’s office spaces from AED 40–80 per sqft per year.
IFZA Company Setup Timeline
Application to licence issuance: 5–7 working days. No minimum share capital requirement. Audited accounts not mandatory for most SME companies. Annual renewal: 30 days before expiry through the IFZA client portal.
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | Zero-visa public package range; visa-inclusive totals require current itemised quote | AED 18,900–22,400 (Starter 1-visa: licence AED 12,900 + establishment card AED 3,000 + residence visa AED 3,000–4,500 all-in; Emirates ID AED 370 + medical AED 300–500 included in visa cost) Confidence: Conflicting public sources |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation |
0-visa public package range; one-visa and all-in totals require current written quote | Flexi desk and inclusions vary; confirm the written offer | Conflicting public sources | Multiple public consultant sources; current written quote required | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package | July 2026 |
| What is included | Published sources describe zero-visa licence packages with differing inclusions. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Establishment card, visas, ID, insurance, extras and support unless written as included. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Public sources disagree on headline, visa-inclusive and all-in IFZA package totals. UAE Freezone Compare therefore shows only the zero-visa planning range and keeps renewal, one-visa and complete all-in totals quote-based until an itemised current quote is reviewed. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium |
| Best fit | Dubai-based consultants, service companies, e-commerce founders and startups. |
Compare Before Choosing
Shortlist this profile against the other common options before choosing on headline price alone. The three-way guide compares DMCC, IFZA and RAKEZ on cost exposure, visa planning, banking readiness and fit by setup scenario.
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed July 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.