Corporate services / business setup
IFZA free zone company formation
01_introduction
IFZA is a Dubai free zone positioned for cost-efficient setup, which makes it a common first choice for founders comparing on price. The saving is real, but it only holds if the licence package matches the activity and the entity can be banked. The package should be chosen against what the business does.
02
01
Why do founders choose IFZA over other Dubai free zones?
Why do founders choose IFZA over other Dubai free zones?
IFZA is the lower-cost route into a Dubai free zone: flexible packages, simple setup. It suits consultants, service businesses and early-stage founders; independents without a full company could instead consider a UAE freelance visa.
The saving holds only if the licence covers the activity and the company can open the bank account it needs, otherwise the structure gets rebuilt later.
02
The business activities IFZA licensing is actually built for
The business activities IFZA licensing is actually built for
IFZA covers a broad range of professional, service, trading and consultancy activities, and suits businesses invoicing internationally. A structure meant to hold assets rather than operate is better placed as an offshore company.
Activities needing a specific regulator, or a mainland presence to reach UAE clients, sit outside an IFZA licence alone. Confirm coverage for the specific activity before committing.
03
Is IFZA a lower-cost option compared to DMCC or DIFC?
Is IFZA a lower-cost option compared to DMCC or DIFC?
IFZA is generally positioned below DMCC and well below the DIFC on setup and renewal cost, since it is a general-purpose free zone rather than a commodities hub or a common-law financial centre.
The lower cost comes with a different profile, so the comparison should be made on fit, not price alone.
03
How we approach this
IFZA is priced so that visas, not office space, are the variable.
Each additional head is a step up the licence fee, which makes choosing a package a headcount decision. GCG fixes the headcount and the activity first, then confirms a bank will open for that profile. The saving is genuine, but it only survives if the licence actually covers what the business does. A cheap licence that has to be replaced is the most expensive one available.
Check IFZA against your activity
Confirm IFZA fits your activity before you pay for the licence.
04_faq
Does IFZA allow full remote company management without a local UAE presence?
IFZA supports remote setup and management for many activities, though bank account opening generally requires an in-person visit under the bank’s own rules.
Which banks realistically accept an IFZA company, and how long does it take?
Acceptance depends on the activity, the owners' profile and the bank. GCG matches the entity to banks that open accounts for that profile rather than applying blindly.
What is included in an IFZA licence package versus what is extra?
Every IFZA package uses the same flexi facility, so what varies is the chosen visa tier, not the office. A package bundles the licence with that visa tier and typically up to three business activities. The establishment card is charged on top, and moving to more visas moves the package up a priced tier rather than requiring a larger office.
How many visas can an IFZA company sponsor?
Visa allocation at IFZA is a priced tier, not a function of office space. Every package uses the same flexi facility, and headcount is chosen and paid for directly, from a zero-visa licence upward. In practice you buy headcount directly, which is the opposite of a zone where the cheapest desk caps you at a single visa.