IFZA — International Free Zone Authority
Cost-effective Dubai licences with flexible, modular packages. One of the most affordable routes to a Dubai licence, with package pricing that scales by visa count.
- Consultancy
- Trading
- E-commerce
- Startups
At a glance
Smartgic jurisdiction brief
- Emirate
- Dubai
- Type
- Free Zone
- Relative cost
- Budget
- Best suited to
- Consultancy, Trading
Is IFZA the right fit for you?
IFZA is a Dubai-based free zone that has become one of the most widely used entry points into the UAE for small and mid-sized businesses. Its appeal is structural: packages are modular, so you pay for the visa allocation and workspace you actually need rather than a fixed bundle.
For consultancies, trading companies and e-commerce founders who want a Dubai licence without a premium-district price tag, IFZA is usually on the shortlist. Smartgic handles the activity selection, application and visa processing end to end.
Ideal for
- First-time founders who want a Dubai address at a controlled cost
- Consultants and agencies billing international clients
- E-commerce and dropshipping businesses
- Small trading companies with one to five visas
What IFZA actually gives you
The advantages that matter commercially — not a feature list. If none of these apply to your business, we will point you somewhere cheaper.
100% foreign ownership
Full ownership of your company with no local partner or service agent required.
Modular visa allocation
Choose your visa quota up front and scale it as you hire, rather than paying for unused allocation.
Broad activity list
A wide spread of commercial, professional and service activities, with multi-activity licences available.
Fast, largely remote process
Most of the formation can be completed without you being in the UAE, with a short visit for biometrics.
Licence types & workspace options
Your licence category follows your activity, and your workspace drives your visa allocation. We match both to what you actually need.
Commercial licence
Buying, selling, importing, exporting and distributing goods, including general trading.
Professional / service licence
Consultancy, advisory, marketing, IT and other service-based activities.
Industrial licence
Light manufacturing, assembly and processing, subject to facility requirements.
Workspace options
- Flexi-desk / shared workspace
- Dedicated desk
- Private office
- Warehouse (via partner facilities)
Visa allocation is tied to your workspace selection. We size it to your hiring plan so you do not pay for unused quota.
From first call to licence in hand
The same six steps apply across jurisdictions. What changes is the authority, the approvals and the documentation — which is the part we handle.
- 01
Activity & structure review
We confirm the business activities you need, the legal form that fits them and whether this jurisdiction is genuinely the best match for your plan.
- 02
Trade name reservation
We check your preferred names against authority naming rules and reserve the one that clears.
- 03
Office or flexi-desk selection
We select the workspace package that satisfies the licence requirement and unlocks the visa quota you need.
- 04
Application & initial approval
We compile the application, submit it to the authority and manage every clarification until initial approval is granted.
- 05
Documentation & signing
Incorporation documents are prepared, signed and — where the jurisdiction requires it — notarised.
- 06
Licence issuance & next steps
Your licence is issued and we move straight on to establishment card, visas and your corporate bank account.
What you need to get started
This is the standard document set. Regulated activities and corporate shareholders carry additional requirements — we confirm the exact list for your case before you start gathering anything.
Get my document checklist- Passport copy for every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photographs (white background)
- Two to three proposed trade names
- Chosen business activities
- Shareholding split between partners
- UAE entry stamp or residence visa page, if already in the country
- For corporate shareholders: attested certificate of incorporation, MoA and board resolution
Services you will need alongside the licence
A licence on its own does not make you operational. These are the pieces that usually follow.
Founders worldwide trust Smartgic
From first-time entrepreneurs to established groups relocating to the UAE — here's what our clients say about working with us.
“Smartgic set up my DMCC company and processed my investor visa in under two weeks. The most seamless experience I have had in Dubai.”
“Their team handled my Golden Visa and corporate bank account end-to-end. Professional, responsive and genuinely transparent on fees.”
“I relocated my e-commerce business from Europe to an IFZA free zone with zero stress. My relationship manager replied within minutes.”
IFZA questions answered
The questions founders actually ask us about this jurisdiction — answered straight.
Yes. IFZA is licensed in Dubai, so your trade licence carries a Dubai jurisdiction — which matters for banking, credibility and client perception.
Visa allocation is tied to the package and workspace you select. Packages range from zero-visa licences up to larger allocations. We size the package to your hiring plan so you do not overpay.
Free zone companies trade freely internationally and within free zones. Selling directly into the UAE mainland generally requires a mainland distributor, agent or a separate mainland licence. We map this out before you commit.
Most of the process can be completed remotely. A short visit is normally needed for your medical test and Emirates ID biometrics if you are taking a residence visa.
Other jurisdictions worth considering
Most founders shortlist two or three before deciding. These are the closest alternatives to this one.
Independence & accuracy notice
Smartgic Immigration Business Set Up Services EST. is a privately owned business setup and immigration consultancy licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) under licence 1394564. We are not a government entity and are not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting on behalf of any UAE government authority, free zone authority or their agencies. Information on this website is general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax or immigration advice. Government fees, processing times, visa eligibility and approvals are determined solely by the relevant authorities, vary case by case and are not guaranteed. Always confirm current requirements for your specific circumstances with us or with the relevant authority before acting. All third-party names, free zone names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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