Professional Licence
Designed for approved professional, consultancy and service activities. We help map what you actually sell to the activity wording used in your application.
IFZA Company Setup & Business Setup Services
IFZA Company Setup & Business Setup in Dubai
Set up an IFZA company in Dubai with support for business activities, licence selection, shareholders, workspace, visas and registration. First Elite Global coordinates the IFZA company setup from structure and document planning through application processing, licence issuance and the post-formation steps needed to operate.
- 100% foreign ownership
- Commercial and professional licences
- Remote incorporation available
IFZA, Dubai Silicon Oasis
A Dubai free zone with business licensing, workspace
options and a digital incorporation process.
100% ownership
IFZA states that commercial enterprises can be fully foreign-owned.
Remote setup
No physical presence is required during the incorporation stage.
2 licence routes
Professional and Commercial licences cover a wide range of approved activities.
Branch option
Eligible foreign-incorporated companies can register a branch through IFZA.
Why IFZA
Is IFZA the right free zone for your business?
IFZA is a Dubai free zone based in Dubai Silicon Oasis. It can suit founders who want a UAE free zone company for professional services, commercial activities or an overseas-company branch, with flexible workspace and visa planning built around the licence.
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International founders and UAE-based entrepreneurs
IFZA allows full foreign ownership and supports incorporation without the shareholder being physically present during the company-formation stage. -
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Service and consultancy businesses
Professional licensing can cover consultancy and other approved professional activities. -
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Trading and commercial businesses
Commercial licensing can cover approved import, export, distribution and storage activities. -
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Existing overseas companies expanding to Dubai
Foreign incorporated companies can apply to register a branch with IFZA, subject to the required corporate documents and approvals.
IFZA licence options
IFZA Licence Options & Business Activities
IFZA's current setup guidance centres on Professional Licences, Commercial Licences and Branch registration. The exact business activities on your licence matter more than the label alone, and regulated activities can require additional external approval before registration is completed.
Commercial Licence
Used for approved commercial activities such as importing, exporting, distributing or storing specified goods.
Branch Registration
For an existing foreign incorporated company that wants to establish an IFZA branch in Dubai, with additional corporate documentation required.
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Need more than one type of activity? IFZA allows professional and commercial business activities to be combined under one licence where the chosen activities and authority rules permit it. Regulated activities may also need approval from another Dubai or UAE authority before registration is completed.
What First Elite Global can coordinate
One setup plan instead of disconnected tasks
The aim is to make your application internally consistent: your activity, company structure, workspace, visa plan and banking profile should all tell the same story.
Activity and licence mapping
We review what the business will actually do and help align it with the appropriate IFZA licence and activities before documents are submitted.
Shareholder and company structure
We confirm whether the application is for individual shareholders, corporate shareholders or a branch and identify the documentation route that applies.
Application and document preparation
We organise the licence application, UBO details and supporting documents so the submission is complete and consistent.
Licence and incorporation coordination
We coordinate the application stages, e-legal forms, shareholder signatures and incorporation-document process through to licence issuance.
Visa and workspace planning
Where residency visas are needed, we help you plan the visa route and workspace requirements around the company you are setting up.
Banking-readiness and post-licence support
After incorporation, we can support corporate bank account preparation and related setup requirements. Bank approval remains subject to each bank's own KYC and compliance review.
IFZA company setup process
IFZA Company Setup & Registration Process
The exact timing depends on the activity, shareholder structure, document readiness and authority checks. IFZA's published business registration process moves through consultation and proposal, documentation, processing, licence approval, digital MOA/AOA signatures and licence issuance.
Consultation and proposal
Confirm the licence type, business activities, visa requirements and workspace solution that fit your plan.
Documentation & application
Complete the licence application including UBO information and collect the supporting shareholder documents.
Registration processing
The shareholder documents are registered for processing. Once approved at this stage, e-legal forms are issued for signature.
Licence approval
IFZA reviews and approves the company-formation application, subject to its requirements and any activity-specific checks.
MOA/AOA e-signatures
Shareholders receive the digital Memorandum/Articles of Association for electronic signature.
Licence issuance and next steps
Once the incorporation documents are issued, we can help you move on to the relevant visa, Emirates ID, banking and ongoing company requirements.
Documents
Documents for IFZA Company Setup
For an individual-shareholder IFZA company setup, the standard published documentation includes the following items. IFZA also supports remote incorporation, although later visa and Emirates ID steps can require physical presence where applicable.
- Completed licence application form, including Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) information
- Passport copy for the shareholder or shareholders
- Digital passport-style photograph
- Emirates ID and UAE visa copy for UAE residents, where applicable
- Three proposed company names in line with IFZA naming requirements
Corporate shareholders, branch registrations, regulated
activities or specific applications can require additional
supporting documents. A business plan or proof of address
should not be treated as a universal requirement unless it
applies to your particular case.
IFZA company formation cost
IFZA company formation cost: what changes your quote?
IFZA does not publish one universal fixed setup price for every company. Your current quotation should reflect the licence, approved activities, shareholder structure, visa allocation, workspace and any additional approvals or post-licence services you actually need.
Licence and activities
The licence category and approved activities included in the
application.
Visa requirements
Whether the company needs no visas, owner visas or additional
employee visas.
Workspace solution
The office or workspace arrangement selected for the company
and its operational needs.
Shareholder structure
Individual, corporate or branch structures can have different
documentation and processing requirements.
Post-licence services
Banking preparation, immigration support, amendments and
ongoing administration where required.
After company formation
Your licence is the start of the operating setup, not the end
A well-planned IFZA company should be ready for the practical steps that follow incorporation.
Residency and visas
If you require UAE residency, plan immigration steps around the company, workspace and visa allocation rather than treating visas as an afterthought.
Corporate banking
Bank approval is separate from company formation. Prepare the company's business model, source-of-funds information, expected transactions and supporting documents for KYC review.
Ongoing compliance
Plan for licence renewals, company changes, accounting and applicable UAE tax obligations as your business becomes operational.
Corporate tax note: Being established in a UAE free zone does not automatically make all company income subject to a 0% corporate tax rate. Qualifying Free Zone Person treatment depends on meeting the applicable UAE conditions, and non-qualifying income can be taxed differently. Tax advice should be based on your actual activities and income.
Client feedback
Proof you are in experienced hands
First Elite Global supports company formation and related business services across multiple jurisdictions, with support continuing beyond the initial registration stage.
“Setting up my business in the UAE was seamless with First Elite Global. Their expert team handled everything efficiently, from legal structure selection to paperwork.”
“They provided clear guidance and managed everything from registration to banking. Professional and timely service.”
Frequently asked questions
IFZA business setup questions
These are the practical questions founders usually need answered before committing to an IFZA company.
What is IFZA in Dubai?
IFZA is a UAE free zone headquartered in Dubai Silicon Oasis. It provides free-zone business licensing and incorporation through its professional-partner network, with commercial, professional and branch setup routes.
What licence types does IFZA offer?
IFZA's current company-setup guidance lists Professional Licences and Commercial Licences, as well as branch registration for foreign incorporated companies. The activities included on the licence determine what the company is authorised to do.
Can IFZA combine commercial and professional activities?
Yes, IFZA states that professional and commercial business activities can be combined under one licence. The specific combination still needs to comply with the authority's activity rules and approvals.
Can I form an IFZA company remotely?
IFZA states that shareholders do not need to be physically present in the UAE for the incorporation stage and that relevant formation documents can be handled electronically. If you later apply for UAE residency, Emirates ID or certain bank accounts, in-person steps may still be required.
What documents are required for IFZA company formation?
For a standard individual-shareholder application, IFZA lists the licence application with UBO information, passport copy, digital passport photo, and Emirates ID plus visa copy for UAE residents. Corporate and branch structures can require additional documents.
How much does IFZA company formation cost?
The total depends on your licence, activities, visa requirements, workspace choice, shareholder structure and optional post-licence support. First Elite Global can prepare a written proposal after these requirements are confirmed rather than quoting a generic package that may not match your setup.
Does an IFZA company need office space?
IFZA provides flexible workspace options, including desk and office solutions. The right option depends on the company's licence, operational needs and visa planning, so workspace should be selected as part of the overall setup rather than in isolation.
Can First Elite Global help with visas and a corporate bank account?
Yes. First Elite Global supports post-licence visa and Emirates ID steps and can assist with banking readiness and introductions where appropriate. Bank account approval is always subject to the chosen bank's own KYC, compliance and risk assessment.
Is an IFZA company automatically taxed at 0%?
No. UAE free-zone status alone does not make all income automatically subject to a 0% corporate tax rate. Qualifying Free Zone Person treatment depends on meeting the relevant UAE conditions, and non-qualifying income can be taxed differently.
How long does IFZA company formation take?
The timeline depends on the business activity, shareholder structure, document readiness and any additional approvals. The application moves through documentation, processing, e-legal forms, licence approval, shareholder signatures and final issuance. We confirm a realistic expected timeline once your case is reviewed.
Ready to move forward?
Build your IFZA company around the way you actually plan to operate
Tell us your business activity, shareholder structure, visa needs and target launch plan. First Elite Global can map the appropriate IFZA setup and give you a clear proposal before you proceed.
