IFZA — International Free Zone Authority

IFZA issues professional licences for consultancy and other expert services, commercial licences for trading, import and export of compliant goods, a general trading licence for a wide range of goods, and branch registrations for existing foreign or UAE companies. A standard IFZA licence carries a choice of up to three business activities, and IFZA allows professional and commercial activities to be combined under one licence rather than held in two entities. IFZA companies are incorporated as FZCOs. As an IFZA registered agent, we select the activity set that reflects what you actually do, which is what banks check at account opening.

Sources: International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — How to get your free zone license with IFZA?; International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — Business Setup & Registration Services in UAE | IFZA – Open & Operate Remotely (accessed 24 October 2026)

Fast, if the file is complete. IFZA says that with online processing you can receive the business licence in hours, that it issues the legal permits in around five working days, and that completing all the paperwork usually takes about a week. Incorporation is digital and the constitutional documents are signed electronically. Delays come from holiday periods, changes to details after submission, or activities that need approval from another UAE regulator. We screen for those approvals before filing, which is how the 24–48 hour timeline on this page is achieved in practice.

Sources: International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — How long does it take to register a company with IFZA?; International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — Remote Business Setup Dubai: How to Start Your Company from Anywhere (accessed 24 October 2026)

Not for a basic licence. IFZA states that it has eliminated the mandatory office-space requirement for its basic licence packages, and that companies with a basic visa allocation are not required to have offices in the zone. Its terms add that higher levels of visa entitlement may require you to lease physical office space in IFZA Dubai, where private offices, individual desks and office suites are available. We match the package to your expected headcount so you pay for space only when the visa count requires it.

Sources: International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — Why set up your business with IFZA?; International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — IFZA Dubai Terms and Conditions (Edition October 2022) (accessed 24 October 2026)

The number of visas available under an IFZA licence depends on the licence category you select in the application. IFZA describes the allocation as a flexible number of Dubai residence visas for shareholders and employees, with validity of up to three years, and notes that higher visa tiers may require leased office space in the zone. Choosing the visa tier correctly at the start matters, because increasing it later means amending the licence and possibly the facility. We advise on the tier that fits your hiring plan for the first two years.

Sources: International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — IFZA Dubai Terms and Conditions (Edition October 2022); International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — Why set up your business with IFZA? (accessed 24 October 2026)

IFZA's headquarters and business park are in Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai. Its terms define IFZA Dubai as the International Free Zone Authority area within Dubai Silicon Oasis and apply the implementing regulation for free zone companies issued under Dubai Law No. 16 of 2005, together with UAE and Dubai law. Residence visas sponsored through an IFZA company are therefore Dubai visas, and the company's licensed address is in Dubai. For clients who want a Dubai address and Dubai visas without DIFC or DMCC pricing, that is the practical attraction.

Sources: International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — IFZA Dubai Terms and Conditions (Edition October 2022); International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — Why set up your business with IFZA? (accessed 24 October 2026)

Yes. IFZA states that no physical presence is required during the incorporation process and that it allows fully remote set-up: the memorandum and articles of association are sent to all shareholders for e-signature. You will need the licence application form including UBO details, a passport copy and a digital passport photo, and UAE residents add an Emirates ID and visa copy; corporate shareholders provide a notarised and attested board resolution. IFZA works through its network of Professional Partners, and as an IFZA registered agent we file the application and follow it through to licence issue.

Sources: International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — Business Setup & Registration Services in UAE | IFZA – Open & Operate Remotely; International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — Remote Business Setup Dubai: How to Start Your Company from Anywhere (accessed 24 October 2026)

You must renew the licence on or before its renewal date, and the registration for the establishment card must be renewed annually. IFZA's terms warn that if you do not, you may face financial fines or penalties, suspension and even cancellation of the licence. The terms are governed by UAE and Dubai law and by the implementing regulation for free zone companies issued under Dubai Law No. 16 of 2005. We diarise renewal dates for our IFZA clients and handle the filings so a lapse does not occur.

Sources: International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — IFZA Dubai Terms and Conditions (Edition October 2022); International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) — IFZA Dubai Terms and Conditions (Edition October 2022) (accessed 24 October 2026)