IFZA, Dubai Silicon Oasis
IFZA Free Zone
Combine professional, commercial and industrial activities under a single IFZA licence.
100%
Foreign ownership
20 min
From DXB airport
0%
Personal income tax
No NOC
For UAE residents
Overview
IFZA Dubai is a free zone managed by the International Free Zone Authority, located just 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Business Bay. IFZA's ambition is to give international investors an innovation-focused ecosystem they can call home, and a base from which to trade into one of the world's best-connected cities.
Dubai offers international investors advantages few cities can match. Two-thirds of the world's population is reachable within an eight-hour flight from Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic, and the emirate is home to 3.4 million residents — 88% of them expatriates. The UAE has ranked first regionally in the World Bank's Doing Business report and the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report, and Dubai is consistently rated one of the safest large cities in the world.
Less than 1% of Dubai's GDP now comes from oil — trade, tourism, real estate, aviation and financial services are the major contributors to an economy that has been growing at around 6.1% a year. At Evolva, we help you set up your IFZA company to take advantage of that growth, with fast, transparent, largely remote incorporation.
IFZA Activities & Office Space
IFZA issues a Professional Licence for consultancy services, a Commercial Licence for the import, export, sale, storage or distribution of goods, and an Industrial Licence for manufacturing and processing activities — and, uniquely among Dubai free zones, lets you combine activities from more than one of these categories under a single IFZA business licence.
You can also register a branch of a company already incorporated outside the UAE, provided the branch's activity matches that of its parent company.
Office space is based at Dubai Digital Park, with buildings designed to let natural light stream in and support a productive working environment. Packages range from a flexi-desk usable for up to ten hours a week through to a personalised office space with dedicated parking and a business address. IFZA has also partnered with the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, letting IFZA-licensed companies operate out of the Dubai Silicon Oasis technology free zone for closer collaboration with the UAE's tech sector.
Benefits of Company Formation in IFZA
IFZA is built for speed, flexibility and cost transparency — ideal for founders who want to move quickly without sacrificing choice of activity.
Strategic Dubai Location
20 minutes from Dubai International Airport with world-class access to global markets.
Combined Business Licence
Commercial, Professional and Industrial activities can all sit under a single IFZA business licence.
Assured
Business Licence Assured
A streamlined approval process gives founders confidence their licence application will succeed once documents are in order.
Competitive General Trading Licence
A general trading licence is available for businesses that need to trade across multiple product categories.
Transparent, Competitive Pricing
Package pricing is published up front, with no hidden costs added later in the process.
Fast, Efficient Incorporation
IFZA's procedures are designed for speed — most straightforward applications move through quickly.
No Physical Presence Required
Business owners do not need to travel to the UAE to complete company incorporation.
No Paid-Up Share Capital
IFZA does not require a mandatory paid-up share capital deposit to incorporate.
No NOC
No Sponsor NOC Required
UAE residents already on a visa do not need to submit a No Objection Certificate from their current sponsor.
Multiple Visa Packages
Choose from a range of visa package sizes depending on your office solution and team size.
IFZA Licence Categories
IFZA gives you the flexibility to combine business activities from Professional, Commercial and Industrial categories under one licence.
Consultancy Licence
For professionals and firms offering advisory and consultancy services across any sector.
Service Licence
Covers a broad range of professional and support services delivered to clients in the UAE and internationally.
Holding Licence
Lets a company hold shares, assets or intellectual property in other businesses without conducting direct trading activity.
Trading Licence
For the import, export, sale, storage or distribution of a defined range of goods.
General Trading Licence
A broader trading licence that covers multiple product categories under a single registration.
Industrial Licence
For manufacturing, processing or assembling goods, suited to businesses needing production facilities.
How Do You Set Up a Business in IFZA?
IFZA's registration process is designed to be completed without a shareholder ever needing to travel to the UAE.
- 1
Choose your licence category and activities
Select from Professional, Commercial, Industrial, Trading, General Trading or Holding activities — or combine several under one licence.
- 2
Reserve your trade name
Submit your preferred company name for approval by the IFZA Authority.
- 3
Submit your application and documents
Provide shareholder passport copies and other supporting documents — no physical presence required.
- 4
Pay your licence and registration fees
Settle the applicable government and registration fees for your chosen package.
- 5
Choose your office solution at Dubai Digital Park
Select from a flexi-desk up to a fully personalised office with dedicated parking and address.
- 6
Receive your IFZA trade licence
Once approved, your licence is issued and your company is ready to operate.
- 7
Apply for investor and employee visas
UAE residents already on a visa do not need a sponsor NOC to apply — Evolva manages the full visa process.
- 8
Open your corporate bank account
Evolva facilitates introductions with banks experienced in working with IFZA-licensed companies.
What Documents Are Required for IFZA Company Formation?
The documents required depend on your shareholder type.
Individual Shareholders
- Valid passport copy (all pages)
- UAE residence visa copy (if applicable)
- Emirates ID copy (if UAE resident)
- Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement, under 3 months old)
- Passport-sized photograph (white background)
Corporate Shareholders
- Certificate of Incorporation of the parent company
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Board Resolution authorising IFZA company formation
- Passport copies of all directors and shareholders
- Certificate of Good Standing (for companies older than 12 months)
Why Choose Evolva for Your IFZA Business Setup?
IFZA rewards founders who move quickly and get their documentation right the first time — that is exactly where Evolva adds the most value.
IFZA Specialists
We know IFZA's combined-licence structure, activity list and Dubai Silicon Oasis partnership inside out.
Transparent Package Pricing
You see the full cost breakdown before you commit — government fees, office costs, visas and our service charge.
One Dedicated Consultant
A single consultant manages your case from first consultation through to licence issuance.
100% Remote Setup Available
We regularly complete IFZA incorporations for clients who never need to visit Dubai in person.
Fast, Efficient Processing
We prepare complete, correct documentation up front to avoid delays in IFZA's review process.
End-to-End Service
Licence application, document preparation, visa processing and bank introductions — we handle it all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to start your IFZA Free Zone setup?
Speak to an Evolva consultant for a tailored quote and a clear timeline.
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Ready to get started with IFZA Free Zone?
Speak with an Evolva consultant today and get a tailored quote for your business setup.