Set up your IFZA free zone company with PROXPAT support for license selection, documentation, registration, visas, renewals, and post-license services.
Page last updated: . Requirements, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authority and can change.
IFZA Company Formation with PROXPAT
International Free Zone Authority, commonly known as IFZA, is one route within UAE free zone company setup for entrepreneurs, consultants, traders, service providers, holding companies, and international investors who want a flexible UAE company setup route.
PROXPAT helps clients form IFZA companies with practical guidance on activity selection, license type, company structure, shareholder documents, portal submission, e-legal forms, incorporation documents, visas, renewals, amendments, and post-license compliance.
IFZA's official guidance confirms that IFZA-registered companies are incorporated as FZCO companies, and foreign companies may also register branch offices where the branch activity is consistent with the parent company. IFZA also highlights 100% foreign ownership, streamlined setup, remote registration support through professional partners, and no paid-up capital requirement.
Why Choose IFZA Free Zone?
IFZA is suitable for founders and companies that need a Dubai free zone license with flexible activity options and a straightforward documentation process.
100% foreign ownership for eligible free zone companies
No paid-up capital requirement highlighted by IFZA
Remote setup support through approved professional channels
Choice of up to three standard activities under one license
Commercial and professional activities may be combined where eligible
Access to workplace, banking, insurance, and post-setup ecosystem support
IFZA License Options
PROXPAT reviews your operating model before recommending the license category and activity combination that fits your business plan.
Commercial License
Professional License
General Trading License
Branch Office Registration
Service Activity Setup
Mixed Commercial and Professional Activity Review
Our IFZA Company Formation Services
IFZA free zone setup consultation
Business activity and license selection
Company structure guidance for FZCO or branch setup
Shareholder and manager document checklist
Application preparation and submission coordination
E-legal form signing guidance
License and incorporation document follow-up
Visa package and establishment card guidance
Bank account and insurance support guidance
License renewal, amendment, and compliance support
IFZA Company Setup Process
PROXPAT keeps the IFZA setup process organized, from early planning through incorporation and post-license requirements.
Step 1: Free Consultation
Step 2: Select License Type and Activities
Step 3: Choose FZCO or Branch Structure
Step 4: Prepare Shareholder Documents
Step 5: Submit Registration Documents
Step 6: Complete E-Legal Forms
Step 7: Receive License and Incorporation Documents
Step 8: Start Visa and Post-License Support
Documents Required for IFZA Company Formation
Requirements vary by shareholder type, license activity, company structure, and authority review. Common requirements include:
For Individual Shareholders
Passport copy
Passport-size photograph
Emirates ID, if applicant is in the UAE
Residence visa copy, if applicant is in the UAE
Selected business activities
Proposed company name options
For Corporate Shareholders
Notarized and attested board resolution
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Valid trade license or certificate of incorporation
Passport, photo, and Emirates ID copies for relevant shareholders or officers
Why Choose PROXPAT for IFZA Company Setup?
Clear IFZA license and activity guidance
Free zone company structure support
Document review before authority submission
Visa, Emirates ID, and medical coordination
Renewal and amendment support after formation
Professional support for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and international investors
What Makes IFZA Different
IFZA is one of the most widely used free zones in the UAE, and the reason is structural rather than promotional: it operates through a network of registered agents rather than dealing with applicants directly, and its packages are built to be assembled from parts rather than sold as a fixed bundle.
The practical effect
You can start with a licence and no visa allocation and add visas later, rather than paying up front for a tier you do not need yet. For a founder testing an idea, that is genuinely cheaper than committing to a package built around five visas.
The activity range
IFZA licenses a wide span of professional, commercial and service activities under one framework. Where a business does two related things — consultancy plus a trading arm, for instance — it can often be handled on one licence, which is not true everywhere.
What the agent model means for you
Because IFZA works through agents, the price you are quoted is a combination of the zone's own fee and the agent's margin, and the two are not always separated on a quote. Ask for them separately. PROXPAT shows the government and zone fees at cost with our service fee stated on its own line — see our PRO service pricing.
Costs, Visas and Renewal
What drives the price
The licence tier, the number of activities beyond the included allowance, the visa allocation you take, and the workspace — flexi-desk or office. A licence with zero visas costs a fraction of one with six, so the visa decision moves the total more than anything else.
Visas and workspace
Visa allocation is tied to the package and workspace. A flexi-desk supports a small number; a dedicated office supports more. Adding visas mid-term generally means moving to a higher tier rather than buying them individually.
Renewal
The licence renews annually alongside the establishment card and workspace agreement. Letting it lapse blocks visa transactions for everyone the company sponsors, so the renewal date matters to your staff as much as to the company.
When another zone is the better answer
IFZA is strong on breadth and price. It is not the right choice if you need industrial or warehouse facilities, a specific sector cluster such as commodities or healthcare, or a common-law framework for regulated financial activity. Our business setup guide works through the jurisdiction choice properly.
Please note: package structures, activity allowances, visa quotas and fees are set by IFZA and revised from time to time.
IFZA Licence Types as IFZA Describes Them
| Licence | What IFZA says it covers | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|
| Professional licence | Businesses providing professional consultancy and multiple types of services, for example technical, lifestyle and similar services | Consultants, agencies, IT and service businesses |
| Commercial licence | Import, export or local market trade within the UAE, from commodities such as toys and food to specialised fields such as real estate brokerage | Trading, e-commerce and distribution businesses |
| Branch | Foreign incorporated companies may register a branch through IFZA | Overseas companies wanting a Dubai presence under the parent's name |
If the business will sell online, compare the options in our e-commerce licence guide before choosing.
IFZA Document Checklist
IFZA's published guidance for remote company setup (April 2026) lists the following. Note the UBO information form, which is part of every application:
| Individual shareholders | Corporate shareholders |
|---|---|
| Passport copy | Passport copy of every shareholder and the General Manager of the corporate shareholder |
| Digital passport photo | Digital passport photo of every shareholder and the General Manager |
| Application form with UBO information (provided by IFZA) | Application form with UBO information (provided by IFZA) |
| Emirates ID and visa copy, for UAE residents | Emirates ID and visa copy of every shareholder who is a UAE resident |
| Related third-party approvals, if required | Board resolution; Memorandum and Articles of Association of the corporate shareholder (or equivalent); valid trade licence (or equivalent); certificate of incorporation or formation; related third-party approvals, if required |
IFZA states that the application process is fully digital, and that a business plan is recommended because it may be requested.
Document Mistakes That Delay IFZA Applications
IFZA says most application delays come from documentation issues. The ones it lists:
- A passport photo that does not meet the specifications.
- An incomplete application form, especially missing UBO information.
- Expired passports, or passports without validity remaining.
- Corporate documents that have not been attested or notarised correctly.
- Mismatched information: names, addresses and dates must be consistent across every document.
| Document | What to do |
|---|---|
| Passport | At least 6 months' validity; scan in high resolution |
| Photo | Recent, white background, no glasses |
| Address proof | Bank statement or utility bill dated within 3 months |
| Corporate documents | Start attestation early; IFZA notes it can take 2 to 3 weeks |
| UBO declaration | Complete accurately for all beneficial owners |
Corporate shareholders coming from abroad should plan legalisation first. See certificate attestation.
Regulated Activities Need Extra Approvals
IFZA notes that standard professional or commercial activities such as trading, consulting and e-commerce need only the core documents, while specialised or regulated activities bring additional requirements. Its example: an education or health-related activity needs approval from the relevant government department. Check this before paying for a package, because the approval, not the licence, usually sets the timeline. See business activity consultation and government approvals.
Operating on the Dubai Mainland From IFZA
IFZA is a Dubai free zone, so Dubai's mainland routes are relevant to IFZA companies:
| Route | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit | For free zone companies holding a Dubai Unified Licence; AED 5,000 per six-month period; initial non-regulated sectors of technology, consultancy, design, professional services and trading; applied for online |
| Mainland branch | A new legal entity licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism, able to carry any activity the company is licensed for |
See Dubai Unified Licence and Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit.
Establishment Card: Keeping Visa Rights Active
Before an IFZA company can sponsor visas, it needs an establishment card, and letting it lapse stops visa transactions. ICP's published fees and fines for private sector and free zone companies:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Renewal | AED 100 for each year |
| Renewing more than 30 days after expiry | AED 100 for each month of delay, up to AED 1,000 |
| Entry permits issued for an establishment not conducting any business activity | AED 20,000 |
See the establishment card guide.
IFZA Compared With Other Dubai Free Zones
| Zone | Published points | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| IFZA | Professional, commercial and branch licences; fully digital application; no paid-up capital requirement highlighted by IFZA | This page |
| Meydan Free Zone | Licence packages from AED 12,500; AED 1,850 per visa allocation | Meydan guide |
| Jebel Ali Free Zone | Trading, service, industrial and logistics licences from AED 5,000; FZE and FZCO | JAFZA guide |
| DMCC | Commodities and trade-focused free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers | DMCC guide |
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue planning your UAE business setup.
Explore connected PROXPAT services that support the same client journey.
The licence is the start of the government work, not the end of it
Once the trade licence is issued, the sequence that actually lets you operate begins: the establishment card, the MOHRE and immigration files, your employee quota, then employee visas and work permits. After that it repeats every year — renewals, cancellations when people leave, and licence renewal and amendments.
Companies that would rather not build that function in-house put it on a monthly PRO retainer from AED 700, or use it per transaction. Government fees stay separate and itemised either way.
The first six months after incorporation
- Establishment card issued through immigration
- MOHRE file opened and e-signature completed
- Employee quota checked before hiring
- Offer letters, work permits and entry permits
- Medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping
- Corporate tax and VAT registration where they apply
More in Free Zones
Start Your IFZA Company Formation with PROXPAT
From IFZA activity selection and documentation to registration, incorporation, visas, renewals, and amendments, PROXPAT provides complete IFZA company setup support.