Free zone company
IFZA company setup in Dubai
IFZA, the International Free Zone Authority, is a free zone based in Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai. It registers companies as FZCOs and issues commercial and professional licences. It suits consultants, agencies, small trading firms and founders abroad who want a Dubai free zone licence that can be set up remotely, with a virtual workplace or an office.
At a glance Fact sheet
- Emirate
- Dubai
- Authority
- IFZA (International Free Zone Authority), within the Dubai Silicon Oasis free zone
- Location
- IFZA Business Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai
- Known for
- Service and trading licences for small firms, with remote incorporation
- Ownership
- Full foreign ownership
- Office options
- Virtual workplace, desks and private offices in IFZA Business Park
Overview
IFZA stands for International Free Zone Authority. Its headquarters and the IFZA Business Park are in Dubai Silicon Oasis, and the companies it registers are Dubai free zone companies. In 2020 IFZA signed a cooperation agreement with the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority that opened the district to IFZA companies, and that is where IFZA is based today.
The model is different from a port zone or a sector zone. IFZA is not built around one industry or one piece of infrastructure. It offers a wide list of commercial and professional activities, lets you combine several on one licence, and does not require the owners to be in the UAE while the company is formed.
The trade-off is that a light licence is not right for everyone. If you need a warehouse, a factory or a named sector community around you, another zone will fit better. If you sell services or trade on a modest scale and want a Dubai licence without a large office commitment, IFZA is worth comparing. Caliph prepares your file and stays with you for visas and renewals.
Why founders choose IFZA
Several activities on one licence
An IFZA licence can carry more than one activity, and commercial and professional activities can sit together on it.
Incorporation without travelling
The owners do not have to be in the UAE during incorporation, and the company documents are signed electronically.
Space that matches your size
A company on a basic visa allocation can use a virtual workplace. Desks and private offices in IFZA Business Park are there when you need them.
A company registered in Dubai
The company is a Dubai free zone company with an address in Dubai Silicon Oasis, which some clients and banks ask about.
A branch route for existing companies
A company incorporated elsewhere can register an IFZA branch, as long as the branch carries out the same activity as its parent.
What to have ready for IFZA
- Passport copy for each shareholder and the manager
- A passport-size photo of each individual shareholder
- Emirates ID and residence visa copies, if you live in the UAE
- Two or three trade name options that follow the naming rules
- The activities you want on the licence
- For a corporate shareholder: a notarised and attested board resolution, memorandum and articles of association, trade licence and certificate of incorporation
Some activities need a third-party approval, and corporate papers from abroad may need attestation. Your Caliph consultant confirms what applies to you.
How IFZA company setup works
Consultation and package
You tell us the activities, the number of visas and the workspace you need. Your consultant explains the package options that match.
Trade name and activities
The proposed name is checked against the naming rules and the activities are selected from the IFZA list.
Documents submitted
The application and the shareholder documents are submitted to IFZA for processing.
Licence approval
IFZA reviews the application and approves the licence once its compliance checks are complete.
Company documents signed
You sign the memorandum and articles of association electronically.
Licence issued
IFZA issues the licence and the company documents.
Visas and bank file
If you want residence visas, we take you through the establishment card, the visa steps and the bank account paperwork.
Good to know
- New IFZA companies are incorporated as an FZCO. The other route is a branch of a company that already exists.
- A virtual workplace is the lightest option, but it may not satisfy every bank or client. Decide this with your consultant before you choose a package.
- Incorporation can be done remotely. Residence visa steps such as the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics still need you in the UAE.
Questions people ask
Where is IFZA based?
IFZA is based in Dubai. Its headquarters and the IFZA Business Park are in Dubai Silicon Oasis, and reception is in Building A2 of the business park. If you have read older material that places IFZA elsewhere, go by its current Dubai details.
Which authority is IFZA under?
IFZA is the International Free Zone Authority, and it issues licences under its own name. Its free zone area lies within Dubai Silicon Oasis and its companies follow the free zone regulations that apply there. Dubai Silicon Oasis is a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, DIEZ.
Do I need an office for an IFZA licence?
Not always. IFZA says companies on a basic visa allocation are not required to hold an office in the area and can operate through a virtual workplace. If you need more visas or a place to meet clients, desks and private offices are available in IFZA Business Park.
Can I set up an IFZA company without visiting Dubai?
Yes for the company itself. IFZA does not require the owners to be present during incorporation, and the documents are signed electronically. If you then apply for a residence visa, you need to be in the UAE for the medical fitness test and the Emirates ID biometrics.
What licences does IFZA issue?
IFZA issues a commercial licence for trading, importing, exporting and distributing goods, including general trading, and a professional licence for consultancy and services. A foreign company can also register a branch. Activities from both licence types can be combined, and some need an outside approval first.
How is IFZA different from Dubai Silicon Oasis itself?
They share a location but serve different needs. Dubai Silicon Oasis leases offices, warehouses and light industrial units to technology companies and licenses them directly. IFZA offers commercial and professional licences for smaller service and trading firms across many activities, with lighter workspace options in its own business park.
Reviewed by Caliph Business Solutions on . Rules differ by activity and by authority. Your Caliph consultant confirms what applies to you.
Ready to establish your company in the UAE?
Book a free consultation. Tell us what you want to open and we come back with the route, the documents and the cost.
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