International Free Zone Authority (IFZA), based in Dubai's Digital Park, has become one of the fastest-growing free zones in the UAE for a simple reason: it's cheap and it's fast. But the headline licence price isn't the whole picture, so here's the full cost breakdown.
IFZA licence cost at a glance
| Package | Typical Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| 0 visas | ~12,900 |
| 1 visa | ~14,900 |
| 3 visas | ~19,900 |
| 6 visas | ~26,900 |
The costs that sit outside the headline package price
- Establishment card: mandatory before sponsoring any visa, roughly AED 2,000–2,500.
- Per-visa processing: entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and stamping, roughly AED 3,800–5,000 per person.
Add these to the licence package and a realistic first-year total with one visa lands around AED 20,700–22,200. Quotes that don't mention the establishment card or per-visa fees separately are usually leaving out a real cost, not a hidden discount.
Figures are indicative 2026 market ranges and vary by activity and current authority fees. For your exact number, use our free setup cost calculator or book a consultation.
Who IFZA actually suits
IFZA is a strong fit for consultancies, startups, e-commerce businesses and solo founders who want a working UAE licence fast and don't need a prestige business-district address to win clients. It supports thousands of approved activities and its visa quotas are flexible enough to scale as you hire.
If your business depends on address credibility with banks, investors or trading partners (commodities, large-scale trading, financial services), a zone like DMCC may be worth the higher cost. See our full Mainland vs Free Zone comparison if you're still deciding between jurisdictions entirely.
Worth knowing: IFZA's licence packages renew annually, and the visa quota you choose at setup can usually be adjusted later as your team grows. You don't have to guess your headcount perfectly on day one.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an IFZA licence cost?
The zero-visa package starts from around AED 12,900, rising to roughly AED 14,900 for one visa, AED 19,900 for three, and AED 26,900 for six. Add the establishment card and per-visa processing for your full total.
What is a realistic total first-year cost for IFZA with one visa?
Roughly AED 20,700 to AED 22,200 once the establishment card and one visa's processing costs are included.
Who is IFZA best suited for?
Consultancies, startups, e-commerce businesses and solo founders who want a fast, low-cost UAE licence and don't need a prestige business-district address.
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