Updated July 2026 · International Free Zone Authority fees
IFZA Free Zone Cost
From AED 12,900 in government fees for a Dubai Silicon Oasis licence.
A zero-visa IFZA licence costs AED 12,900 in government fees, or AED 17,699* with a lifetime free visa. IFZA's first visa step is AED 4,799, well below Meydan's AED 8,170, so IFZA now works out cheaper than Meydan with one visa and remains one of the more accessible Dubai zones.
Government cost from
AED 12,900
zero-visa licence · IFZA, Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Zero visaAED 12,900
- With lifetime free visaAED 17,699*
- Setup time5–10 working days
- Ownership100% foreign
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In brief: An IFZA licence costs AED 12,900 in government fees with no visas, or AED 17,699* including a lifetime free visa. Two visas cost AED 28,000 and three cost AED 34,550. IFZA's first visa step is AED 4,799, so with one visa IFZA is cheaper than Meydan (AED 20,670) by about AED 2,971, although Meydan is AED 400 cheaper at zero visa. IFZA is based at Dubai Silicon Oasis, issues in 5–10 working days and allows multiple activities on one licence. Avyanco's professional fee is quoted separately.
What it costs — line by line
These are the government line items. Ranges are real variation by activity and legal form, not padding — where a figure genuinely moves, we show the span rather than a flattering minimum.
| Government item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-visa licence | AED 12,900 | Trade licence and company registration |
| Licence with lifetime free visa | AED 17,699* | Adds the establishment card, entry permit, medical and Emirates ID |
| Licence with 2 residence visas | AED 28,000 | Suits a founder plus one employee or spouse |
| Typical start — founder with residency | AED 17,699* | One licence with a lifetime free visa, government cost |
What each visa adds
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First residence visa | + AED 4,799 | Lifetime free visa, well below Meydan's AED 8,170 |
| Second residence visa | + AED 10,301 | The step widens at the two-visa tier |
| Third residence visa | + AED 6,550 | Holds steady at the same step as the second visa |
Indicative government costs as at July 2026. They exclude Avyanco’s professional fee, office rent, VAT where applicable and external-approval charges for regulated activities. Government fees are set by the authorities and change — confirm the live figure for your activity and visa mix before budgeting.
What the price includes — and what it doesn’t
Most “cheap setup” quotes fall apart here. This is the honest split.
Included in the figures above
- Trade licence issued by IFZA
- Company registration and incorporation documents
- Multiple activities on a single licence where compatible
- Establishment card so the company can sponsor visas
- Flexi-desk facility bundled into the standard packages
Additional, quoted separately
- A physical office beyond the bundled flexi-desk
- Visas for dependants — spouse and children are priced separately
- External approvals for regulated activities
- Corporate bank-account opening and minimum balances
- VAT and corporate-tax registration, bookkeeping and audit
- Avyanco's professional service fee, quoted separately
Download the complete IFZA fact sheet
The table above answers the headline question. The fact sheet answers the next ten — every visa tier priced out, what year two costs, and how it stacks up against the cheaper free zones. It is the same one-pager our advisers send to clients, and it is free.
Free PDF · instant download
Download the full IFZA fact sheet
The one-page sheet our advisers quote from — every number, on one page. Yours free.
- Every cost priced for 0, 1, 2 and 3 visas
- Renewal costs — what year two really costs
- IFZA vs Meydan, DMCC and the cheaper emirates
- Document checklist and realistic timeline
What actually moves the price
Two companies registered on the same day can differ by more than AED 10,000. These are the factors that decide where you land in the range.
Number of visas
The first visa adds AED 4,799 with a lifetime free visa, well below Meydan's AED 8,170. Compare against Meydan before deciding: IFZA is cheaper with one visa, while Meydan is cheaper at two and three visas.
Number of activities
IFZA permits multiple compatible activities on one licence — a consultancy that also trades does not need two licences. That is a real saving zones with stricter activity rules cannot match.
Facility
The bundled flexi-desk covers most consultancies and traders and supports the standard visa quota. A physical office lifts both cost and quota.
Activity type
Standard commercial, professional and consultancy licences sit at the headline rate. Regulated activities need external approval, which adds cost and weeks.
Renewal, not just setup
Compare year two before deciding. A zone that is cheap to enter and expensive to renew costs more over any realistic holding period.
How long it takes
- 1
Day 1 — Activity & package
We confirm the activity mix, the visa count and which package tier fits.
- 2
Day 1–2 — Name & application
Trade name reserved and the application filed with IFZA.
- 3
Day 3–7 — Licence issued
Incorporation documents and trade licence issued, typically 5–10 working days.
- 4
Week 2 — Establishment card
Immigration card issued so the company can sponsor residence visas.
- 5
Week 2–3 — Visas
Entry permit, status change, medical and Emirates ID for each person.
- 6
After licensing — Bank & compliance
Corporate account opening, corporate tax registration and bookkeeping set up.
Get a quote with the government fees shown separately
Tell us the activity and how many visas you need. You will get a written figure that separates what goes to the authorities from what goes to us — no bundled “all-in” number hiding the difference.
Compare before you commit
Cost is one input. Where you can trade, who your customers are and what banking you need matter just as much. Read the ifza free zone page for the structure itself, then compare the alternatives:
Cost FAQs
How much does an IFZA licence cost?
AED 12,900 in government fees for a zero-visa licence, or AED 17,699* including a lifetime free visa. Two visas cost AED 28,000 and three cost AED 34,550. Avyanco's professional fee is quoted separately.
Is IFZA cheaper than Meydan?
It depends on the visa count. Meydan is AED 400 cheaper on a bare licence, AED 12,500 against AED 12,900. With one visa, IFZA costs AED 17,699* with a lifetime free visa against Meydan's AED 20,670, so IFZA is AED 2,971 cheaper. At two visas Meydan is AED 1,180 cheaper, and at three visas AED 1,580 cheaper.
Can I put several activities on one IFZA licence?
Yes, where the activities are compatible. This is one of IFZA's genuine advantages — a consultancy that also trades, or an agency that also resells software, can often operate on a single licence instead of paying for two.
Where is IFZA based?
Dubai Silicon Oasis. IFZA was established in 2018 and moved to Dubai in 2020, so it is a Dubai licence with a Dubai address, at a price closer to the northern emirates than to DMCC or DIFC.
Does the price include Avyanco's fee?
No. Every figure here is government cost paid to IFZA. Our professional fee is quoted separately and transparently.
How long does IFZA setup take?
Typically 5–10 working days from a complete document set — among the faster Dubai zones. Residence visas run after the licence and establishment card are issued, usually adding one to two weeks per person.
Can I open a bank account with an IFZA licence?
Yes. IFZA is a well-established Dubai zone and banks are familiar with it. As always, approval depends on your activity, your documentation and your business substance rather than the zone alone.
Is IFZA suitable for a first-time founder?
It is one of the better choices for one. The package structure is simple, the cost is predictable, activities are flexible and issuance is fast — which matters when you are learning the process for the first time.
What does renewal cost?
Less than first-year setup, because registration and establishment-card costs are not repeated. The licence and any visas renew on their own cycles. Exact renewal figures are in the fact sheet.
Does an IFZA company pay corporate tax?
UAE Corporate Tax applies at 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above it. A qualifying free-zone person can access 0% on qualifying income subject to strict conditions — it is not automatic. VAT registration becomes mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies.
Should I choose IFZA or a cheaper emirate?
IFZA costs roughly AED 5,690 more than RAKEZ with one visa. You are buying a Dubai address and a Dubai-based authority. If your clients are in Dubai, expect a Dubai company, or you will meet them in Dubai regularly, that is usually worth it. If your business is online or international, it often is not.
Government fees and our fee, shown separately
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. You will get a written quote for IFZA that separates what goes to the authorities from what goes to us — no bundled all-in number hiding the difference.
- Government fees and professional fees itemised, never merged
- An honest answer if a cheaper jurisdiction suits you better
- A reply within one business day, every time
- No obligation — most enquiries end with advice, not an invoice
Pricing note. Figures on this page are indicative government costs as at July 2026, published so you can budget realistically. They are set by the relevant UAE authorities, vary by activity, legal form, visa mix and office type, and change over time. They exclude Avyanco’s professional service fee, office rent and any external-approval charges. This is general guidance, not a quotation — confirm your specific position with us before acting.