IFZA Free Zone in Dubai

• To register your business under IFZA Free Zone in Dubai, the first step is to select an appropriate license and fill out the license application. At this point, you are required to fill out the details of your company which include your company’s name, license (Commercial, Professional or combination license), business activities, shareholder information, Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) information, as well as the company’s members including General Manager, shareholders, directors, and Secretary. After evaluating your application, IFZA will give you a quotation which will state the government’s fees and other costs applicable. 

• After going through the quotation, you will need to accept your business package and pay the appropriate incorporation and licensing fees. Upon receipt of the payment, IFZA will then begin processing your application.  

• Payment helps in ensuring that the incorporation of your business takes place without any delays and enables the authorities to compile the incorporation documents. 

• Once paid, IFZA sends you the Shareholder Resolution and other incorporation documents that require your signature. It is essential that you carefully go through the documents before signing them. Signature on the documents gives IFZA permission to process your company registration and issue your business license. 

• Once the signed documents are submitted, IFZA Free Zone Dubai processes your application and makes all the relevant checks. Upon completion of all the requirements, IFZA approves your application and issues you a business license. The whole process usually takes 3-5 working days, assuming all the documents are complete and there are no requests for additional documentation. 

• Once the company is approved, you will be sent your incorporation documents by electronic mail. The documents include: 
  • Certificate of Formation 
  • Trade license 
  • Memorandum of Association (MOA) 
  • Articles of Association (AOA) 
  • Unit Lease Agreement 
  • Third Party Approval Request Certificate (where relevant) 

• The standard license allows up to three activities, while additional government fees will apply for up to seven business activities. 

• In case you are planning on sponsoring yourself or your employees for UAE residence visas, you will first have to get an Establishment Card. It is an official document that acts as a certificate for your business, proving that your company is duly incorporated in the UAE and authorized to sponsor visa applications.  

• After obtaining the Establishment Card, you can start applying for your UAE residence visa along with the necessary medical check-up, biometrics, and Emirates ID card. 

• After the successful incorporation of your business in the IFZA Free Zone, Dubai, the next step would be the corporate bank account opening in the UAE. You will have to provide all your incorporation documents, business profile, shareholders details, and the necessary compliance documents as per the selection of your bank.  

• As per the internal policies of the bank, you or the authorized signatory might be asked to attend an in-person verification meeting before your bank account gets activated. 

Timeline to register your business in the IFZA Free Zone in Dubai in 2026

• License application: 1 business day.  

• Quotation: Within 1 business day.  

• Payment confirmation: 1 business day.  

• Shareholder Resolution signing: 1–2 business days.  

• Application processing: 3–5 working days.  

• Trade license approval: Issued after successful processing.  

• Digital incorporation documents (MOA, AOA, Certificate of Formation, Trade License, etc.): Issued together with the approved license.  

• Overall incorporation timeline: Approximately 5–8 working days (subject to complete documentation and timely approvals) 

Cost to register your business in the IFZA Free Zone in Dubai in 2026

• The starting cost of setting up a business in the IFZA Free Zone of Dubai is AED 12,900. There are extra fees required by the government for obtaining a residence visa, an establishment Card, an e-channel membership, new business activities, and improved office space. The IFZA Free Zone of Dubai is known for providing one of the cheapest ways of setting up business in the UAE, along with flexible licensing policies and 100% foreign ownership.  

• Those entrepreneurs who decide to set up their business in the IFZA Free Zone of Dubai enjoy the benefits of low-cost and hassle-free business incorporation offered by the International Free Zone Authority. Being one of the popular business zones of Dubai, the International Free Zone Authority always attracts startups and foreign investors looking for an efficient way to incorporate a business. 

Residency visa application for the IFZA Free Zone in Dubai in 2026

• For any entity registered under the IFZA Free Zone in Dubai, they can issue a UAE residence visa sponsorship for qualifying shareholders, directors, employees, and their dependents, depending on the visa quota available against the chosen license and office package.  

• Among the top benefits of setting up a company in the IFZA Free Zone in Dubai is the benefit of having 100% foreign ownership, total profit repatriation, exemptions from import/export duties, and increased privacy since the names of the shareholders and directors are not made public. Unlike businesses set up on the mainland, there is a need for a physical office for a business to be set up. 

The visa application process involves: 

Visa application submission 

• Give the necessary information, such as: 
  • Partner ID. 
  • Nationality. 
  • Visa type (New Employment Visa for the first time and Work Permit for UAE residency holders). 
  • Visa application type (Inside UAE and Outside UAE). 

• E-Visa type (standard and VIP E-Visa). 

Medical fitness test after the e-visa is issued 

• Get a compulsory health check-up at an authorized UAE medical centre after the e-visa is issued. 

Fingerprinting/photographing 

• Register fingerprints and photos at an authorized UAE immigration centre for identity confirmation. 

Obtain your Emirates ID and residence visa 

• After successful approval by the UAE authorities, an Emirates ID and UAE residence visa will be issued, permitting you to live and work in the UAE. 

How can we help?

• Establishing a business entity in the IFZA Free Zone Dubai takes thorough planning, proper documentation, and adherence to UAE rules and laws. At Tetra Consultants, we offer end-to-end business establishment services to make sure that your business is established swiftly and smoothly. We start with an assessment of your business goals and provide suggestions for the ideal license type, business structure, and operations of the business.  

• We prepare all the documents for the business incorporation and handle all communication with the International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) for the process of registering your business. Apart from establishing the company in Dubai Free Zones, we also offer assistance in applying for the trade license, registration of Establishment Card, UAE residence visa, Emirates ID, and corporate bank account opening with renowned banks in Dubai.  

• We also offer accounting services, corporate tax registration and compliance, VAT consulting services, regulatory compliance consulting services, license renewal, nominee services, and more. With our business advisory services, we help international entrepreneurs and investors set up their businesses in the IFZA Free Zone Dubai. 

• Contact us to know more, and we will revert within 24 hours. 

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