IFZA Business Setup and Activity List Guide

IFZA business setup for founders who want a Dubai free zone company formed remotely. We explain how IFZA activities and licences work, then handle the application, licence and visas for you.

Description

IFZA business setup means forming a company in the International Free Zone Authority, a Dubai free zone headquartered at IFZA Business Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis. IFZA forms free zone companies with 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of capital and profit, and it states that no physical presence is needed during incorporation. Applications go through IFZA's network of professional partners, which is why most founders use an adviser.

**IFZA licence types.** The IFZA free zone issues a Commercial Licence, for importing, exporting and trading goods, and a Professional Licence, for consultancy and services. Foreign companies can also register a branch. Which licence you get follows from the activities you choose, not the other way round.

**How the IFZA activity list works.** IFZA publishes its full, searchable activity list on its own site at activities.ifza.com. Each entry is one activity drawn from a government-approved list, and the activity names on your licence define what you may legally do. IFZA says it allows up to seven activities on one licence, the first three are included in the incorporation cost, and each extra activity is charged. You can combine activities from different categories, for example consultancy with e-commerce or trading. Some activities need approval from another UAE authority before or after the licence is issued, and the wording you pick also matters to banks: an activity that does not match what you really do is a common reason for delays and bank questions. Rather than copying the list here, we check your plan against IFZA's current list and tell you which activities fit, which need approval, and how many you actually need. If you sell online, compare this with a Dubai e-commerce licence.

**Visas and office.** Visas are optional. The number you can apply for depends on the package and office solution you choose, so decide early how many people you will sponsor. Owners usually take a Dubai investor visa, staff come through Dubai employment visa processing, and you can later add family through Dubai family visa sponsorship. You come to the UAE only for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.

**What affects the IFZA licence cost.** Your total depends on the number of activities (beyond the three included), the licence term, the number of visas, the office solution and any external approvals, plus each visa holder's medical, Emirates ID and health insurance. Ask us on WhatsApp or live chat for a written quote for your exact setup.

**After setup.** You will need a corporate bank account in Dubai, corporate tax registration, possibly VAT registration, and a yearly trade licence renewal.

What's Included

Review of your business plan against IFZA's current activity list
Advice on licence type (Commercial or Professional), number of activities and any external approvals
Trade name check
IFZA application form with UBO details and shareholder documents submitted
E-signature of the IFZA legal forms and the Memorandum and Articles of Association
Follow-up until the licence is issued by email
Establishment card and visa applications, if you need visas
Guidance on bank account, corporate tax registration and renewals

Requirements / Prerequisites

At least one shareholder (individual or company)
A clear description of what the business will do, so activities can be matched correctly
Activities from IFZA's approved list, and any approval from another regulator they require
Ultimate beneficial owner details for every shareholder
If you need residence visas, a package or office solution with enough visa allocation

Required Documents

IFZA licence application form, including UBO details
Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
Digital passport-size photo
UAE visa and Emirates ID copies, if you live in the UAE
Proposed company names and the list of activities
For a corporate shareholder or branch: parent company documents as IFZA requests
Any extra document IFZA or an approving authority asks for

Our Process

Consultation and proposal: licence type, activities, visa package and office solution
Activity check against IFZA's list and any external approvals
Application form, UBO details and documents submitted
Shareholder documents registered on IFZA's portal and two e-legal forms signed
IFZA approves the application
Memorandum and Articles of Association sent for e-signature by all shareholders
Licence issued as a soft copy by email
Establishment card, then visa, medical test and Emirates ID for each visa holder
Corporate bank account application

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I see the IFZA activity list?

IFZA publishes its full list at activities.ifza.com. Search by keyword, note the activities that describe what you will really do, and send them to us. We check them for external approvals and bank fit before you apply.

How many activities can I have on an IFZA licence?

IFZA says up to seven activities on one licence. The first three are included in the incorporation cost and each extra one is charged. You can mix activities from different categories.

Do some IFZA activities need extra approval?

Yes. Some activities need approval from another UAE authority, for example in regulated sectors. We flag these before you apply, because they affect the timeline and the cost.

Can I set up an IFZA company without visiting the UAE?

Yes. IFZA states that no physical presence is needed during incorporation. You come to the UAE only if you apply for a residence visa, for the medical test and Emirates ID, and some banks ask to meet you.

What does an IFZA licence cost?

It depends on the number of activities, the licence term, the number of visas, the office solution and any approvals, plus each visa holder's medical, Emirates ID and insurance. Message us for a written quote.

What is the difference between an IFZA Commercial and Professional licence?

A Commercial Licence covers trading, import and export of goods. A Professional Licence covers consultancy and service activities. Your activities decide which one you get.

Can I add activities to my IFZA licence later?

Yes, through a licence amendment, up to IFZA's activity limit. Extra activities are charged, and any that need external approval must get it first.

Is IFZA a good choice for my business?

IFZA suits service, consulting, trading and online businesses that want a remote setup. If your plan needs a large physical office, a warehouse or a specific industry cluster, another free zone may fit better; ask us to compare.