FREE ZONE · DUBAI · UAE
International Free Zone Authority (UAE): Licenses, Costs & Activities (2026)
- Activity combinations
- 550 50 of 52 clusters
- Median package
- from AED 12,900* market benchmark
- Price range
- AED 2,000 – 30,560* min–max in snapshot
- Setup time
- 6–65 days fastest → slowest filed
About IFZA
International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) accounts for 550 license combinations in the September 2026 snapshot, spread over 50 of the 52 activity clusters tracked on the platform. The strongest cluster here is Software Development & IT with 40 packages, followed by General Trading (40 packages).
Entry packages start at AED 2,000*, the median combination runs from AED 12,900*, and the fullest configurations in the catalog reach AED 30,560*. Filed setup timelines range from 6 to 65 days depending on the activity mix, visa quota and office option.
IFZA is a Dubai free zone headquartered in Dubai Silicon Oasis, issuing licenses fully online. This guide breaks the zone down by activity: the strongest clusters below, then the visa, establishment-card and bank-account steps that come bundled with International Free Zone Authority licenses — all figures from the same market snapshot.
Fit check
Who is IFZA best for?
- Founders who need almost any activity in one free zone - the catalog spans 50 of the 52 tracked clusters.
- Trading businesses: general trading, building materials, auto parts and textiles are all strongly represented.
- Consultants, service companies and remote-first businesses that value fully online licensing.
- Cost-conscious startups that still need establishment-card, visa and bank-account support steps.
- Companies planning to combine several activity scopes in a single license.
Verdict
Pros & cons
Pros
- Breadth: 550 combinations across 50 activity clusters - one of the widest catalogs on the platform.
- Practical steps come bundled: establishment card, corporate bank account and investor visa appear in nearly all 550 combinations.
- Licensing is issued fully online from the zone's Dubai Silicon Oasis headquarters.
- A broad trading spread makes multi-activity and product-line businesses easy to cover.
Cons
- Setup timelines vary widely - 6 to 65 days in the snapshot - depending on the configuration.
- The multipurpose profile means less industry specialisation and no dedicated sector community.
- An extensive catalog takes care to navigate; activity scopes need attention during the application.
- Headquartered in Dubai Silicon Oasis rather than a flagship business district.
Activities
Top activity clusters at IFZA
| Activity cluster | Packages at IFZA | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Software Development & IT | 40 | from AED 12,900* |
| General Trading | 40 | from AED 12,900* |
| Industrial Equipment & Machinery Trading | 36 | from AED 12,900* |
| Business Consulting | 29 | from AED 12,900* |
| Building Materials Trading | 26 | from AED 12,900* |
| Auto Parts & Accessories Trading | 24 | from AED 12,900* |
| Office & Business Support | 21 | from AED 2,000* |
| Clothing, Footwear & Textiles Trading | 21 | from AED 12,900* |
* Market reference as of September 2026, exact quote on request. Market data, Sep 2026.
Visas & banking
Visa, establishment-card and bank steps at IFZA
- Establishment card
- 549 packages in the zone's catalog, from AED 2,000*
- Corporate bank account
- 548 packages in the zone's catalog, from AED 12,900*
- Investor visa
- 549 packages in the zone's catalog, from AED 9,120*
- Head office address
- Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai
The typical IFZA sequence files the license, then the establishment card, then residence visas and the corporate bank account — the same order the platform's catalog records across Dubai jurisdictions.
FAQ
IFZA: questions
How much does an IFZA license cost in 2026?
In the September 2026 snapshot, 550 combinations are tracked, starting from AED 2,000*. The median package runs from AED 12,900* and the range stretches to AED 30,560*. The spread reflects activity type, visa quota and office option. Every figure on this page is a market reference; the exact quote is confirmed on request.
How long does company setup at IFZA take?
Filed packages at IFZA complete in 6 to 65 days in the snapshot. License-only setups sit near the fast end; adding establishment card, residence visas and bank account moves the timeline toward the upper bound because banking KYC runs on the bank's schedule.
Which activities can an IFZA license cover?
The catalog maps 550 IFZA combinations onto 50 activity clusters. The strongest are Software Development & IT; General Trading; Industrial Equipment & Machinery Trading. Each cluster in the table above links to the cross-zone license breakdown for that activity.
Where is IFZA located and who is it for?
International Free Zone Authority is based in Dubai — a Dubai free zone headquartered in Dubai Silicon Oasis, issuing licenses fully online. As a free zone jurisdiction it suits founders who need that licensing regime specifically; the free-zone-vs-mainland comparison on this site covers when a free zone beats the mainland and vice versa.
Where is IFZA located?
The authority is headquartered at Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai. License applications are submitted to this authority — online or at its customer service desk, depending on the license type.
Which authority issues licenses in IFZA?
International Free Zone Authority (Dubai emirate) is the issuing authority. Its September 2026 catalog tracks 550 activity combinations, with entry packages from AED 2,000*.
Related breakdowns
Setting up in IFZA?
We match the license package to your activity and visa plan — priced against the same market snapshot shown above.