IFZA business setup cost in 2026: what you actually pay
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) in Dubai is one of the most popular starting points for new company owners, and for good reason. Its packages are flexible, cost-effective, and you do not need a physical office to hold your base licence. If you want a Dubai-based free zone company without the premium price tag, IFZA is usually near the top of the shortlist. Honestly framed, most first-year setups land somewhere between roughly AED 12,500 and AED 20,000 depending on how many visas and add-ons you take on.
What you actually pay (2026)
Your final number is built from a handful of components. Here is where the money goes, with honest ranges:
- Trade licence: typically from around AED 12,500 for a zero-visa package, rising as you add activities and visa quota.
- Visa allocation: budget roughly AED 3,000–5,000 per visa (establishment card plus the visa process), and remember each visa also needs a medical, Emirates ID and stamping.
- Flexi-desk / office: IFZA’s base packages often bundle a flexi-desk, so many owners pay little to nothing extra here at entry level; a real office costs more.
- Establishment card: a per-company immigration file, usually a few hundred to around AED 2,000 depending on the package.
- Immigration / e-channel card: a smaller recurring cost tied to your visa file.
The number most agents quietly leave out is the Year-2 renewal. Your licence and visas are annual, so what you pay again in year two matters as much as day-one setup. IFZA renewals are generally competitive, but insist on seeing that figure in writing before you commit.
Who IFZA is right for
- Consultants, freelancers and service businesses who want a credible Dubai licence without an office lease.
- E-commerce and digital founders who need visa flexibility but want to keep year-one cost low.
- Owners who value speed and simple, package-based pricing over a prestige address.
- Anyone testing a new venture who wants a low-commitment, easy-to-renew structure.
IFZA vs the alternatives
IFZA is usually cheaper and simpler than DMCC or Meydan, and it competes closely with Meydan on price while giving you strong visa flexibility. The trade-off is prestige: a DMCC or Meydan address carries more weight with certain banks and clients. If you want a rock-bottom emirate price you might look at RAKEZ or SPC in Sharjah, but you would give up the Dubai location that many clients still expect.
Every business is different, so ranges only take you so far. Use our free cost calculator for your exact all-in number, or WhatsApp us for a straight answer: +971 54 332 2846.
FAQs
How much does IFZA setup really cost?
For a straightforward package, most owners pay from around AED 12,500 to AED 20,000 in year one, depending on visa count and activities. A zero-visa licence sits at the lower end; add visas and add-ons and it climbs. We will give you the exact all-in figure with no surprises before you pay anything.
Does IFZA include visas?
IFZA packages come with a visa quota, but the visas themselves are a separate per-person cost of roughly AED 3,000–5,000 each once you factor in the establishment card, medical, Emirates ID and stamping. You choose how many visas you actually need, so you only pay for what you use.
What is the Year-2 renewal cost for IFZA?
Your licence and visas renew annually, and IFZA renewals are generally competitive. The exact figure depends on your package and how many visas you keep active. This is the number many agents hide, so ask us for it up front and we will show it to you in writing.
