IFZA Cost: Complete Pricing Breakdown for 2026
IFZA's headline license price is only part of the picture. This guide breaks down every cost — base package, visa processing, office options, establishment card, Emirates ID, medical, and renewal — so you know your actual first-year budget before committing.
All figures are sourced from Maya AI's live package catalog and verified against IFZA's published schedule of fees. Use them as planning anchors, but always confirm final pricing through your recommendation from Maya AI.
IFZA Base Package Pricing
IFZA offers tiered packages based on visa count and office type. Each package includes the trade license, establishment card, and share certificate. Here is what the current catalog looks like:
| Package | Base Price | Visas Included | Office Type | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA License Only | AED 12,900 | 0 | Flexi desk | License, establishment card, share certificate |
| IFZA Flexi Desk 1 Visa | AED 13,250 | 1 | Flexi desk | License, establishment card, share certificate, 1 visa allocation |
| IFZA Flexi Desk 2 Visas | AED 15,250 | 2 | Flexi desk | License, establishment card, share certificate, 2 visa allocations |
| IFZA Flexi Desk 3 Visas | AED 17,500 | 3 | Flexi desk | License, establishment card, share certificate, 3 visa allocations |
| IFZA Private Office | AED 24,000 | 4 | Private office | License, establishment card, share certificate, 4 visa allocations, dedicated office |
The jump from 0 to 1 visa is only AED 350, making the 1-visa package the most popular entry point for solo founders who need a residence visa.
Visa Processing Costs
The visa allocation in your package gives you the right to apply for visas, but the processing itself incurs additional government and service fees. These costs apply per visa, on top of your package price:
| Fee Component | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit | AED 1,100 – 1,500 | Varies by nationality and entry type |
| Medical examination | AED 500 – 700 | DHA-approved medical center |
| Emirates ID | AED 370 – 570 | Biometrics and card issuance |
| Visa stamping | AED 500 – 700 | Final stamp in passport |
| Health insurance | AED 700 – 1,500+ | Mandatory; depends on plan tier |
Total per visa: approximately AED 3,500 – 5,000. This is the number most founders underestimate. If you are budgeting for one visa, add at least AED 4,500 to your package price for a realistic total.
Office Options and Cost Impact
Your office choice affects both total cost and visa capacity:
- Flexi desk (included in most packages) — a shared desk address for official correspondence. No physical workspace. Sufficient for most consulting, IT, and e-commerce setups.
- Virtual office — similar to flexi desk with enhanced mail handling and meeting room access. Typically adds AED 2,000–4,000 per year.
- Private office — a dedicated physical space. Starts around AED 24,000 in IFZA's catalog, but enables higher visa allocations and gives clients a physical office to visit.
Most Maya AI users choose the flexi desk. It keeps first-year costs low and you can upgrade to a private office later without changing your license.
Hidden Costs Founders Miss
These are not hidden in the sense that IFZA conceals them, but they are routinely overlooked during budgeting:
- Establishment card renewal — the initial card is included, but annual renewal carries a fee.
- Activity amendments — adding or changing business activities after formation incurs a modification fee.
- Additional business activities — IFZA allows multiple activities, but adding them to your license may cost extra.
- Document attestation — some banks and government processes require attested documents, each with a per-document fee.
- Name reservation changes — if you change your preferred company name after initial reservation, expect a re-reservation fee.
- PRO services — if you use a service agent for government filings and visa processing rather than doing it yourself, add AED 1,500–3,000.
First-Year Total Budget
Here is a realistic breakdown of what your first year actually looks like at different package levels:
| Scenario | Package | Visa Processing | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| License only, no visa | AED 12,900 | — | ~AED 12,900 |
| 1 visa + flexi desk | AED 13,250 | ~AED 4,500 | ~AED 17,750 |
| 2 visas + flexi desk | AED 15,250 | ~AED 9,000 | ~AED 24,250 |
| Private office + 4 visas | AED 24,000 | ~AED 18,000 | ~AED 42,000 |
These estimates exclude optional costs like PRO services, document attestation, and health insurance upgrades. For a personalized cost projection based on your specific situation, use Maya AI's free recommendation.
Renewal Costs: What Year Two Looks Like
Year two is typically 10–20% lower than year one. The savings come from one-time setup fees that do not recur:
- No name reservation fee
- No initial establishment card issuance (just renewal)
- No first-time document processing fees
- Visa renewals (every 2 years for IFZA) are simpler and cheaper than first issuance
For a 1-visa flexi desk founder, expect year two to come in around AED 11,000–13,000 for the license renewal, depending on whether visa renewal falls in the same year.
IFZA vs Alternatives by Cost
How does IFZA compare to the other popular options on a cost basis? This table uses 1-visa flexi desk packages for a fair comparison:
| Free Zone | 1-Visa Package | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | AED 13,250 | Dubai (Fujairah based) | Consulting, services, e-commerce |
| RAKEZ | AED 7,500 – 10,000 | Ras Al Khaimah | Budget-first founders |
| Dubai South | AED 12,000 – 14,000 | Dubai (near Al Maktoum Airport) | Logistics, e-commerce |
| DMCC | AED 20,000+ | Dubai (JLT) | Premium, trading, commodities |
IFZA occupies the middle ground: materially cheaper than DMCC, but with a Dubai address that RAKEZ cannot offer. For a deeper comparison of all zones, see our best free zone guide or the detailed Dubai business setup cost breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest IFZA package?
The most affordable IFZA package in Maya AI's current catalog is the license-only flexi desk at AED 12,900. This does not include any visa allocation. If you need one visa, the next tier is AED 13,250.
What is included in the IFZA license fee?
The IFZA license fee typically covers the trade license itself, establishment card, share certificate, and a flexi desk address. Visa processing, Emirates ID, medical testing, and office upgrades are separate costs.
How much does an IFZA visa cost?
Visa processing costs at IFZA run approximately AED 3,500 to 5,000 per visa on top of your package price. This covers the entry permit, medical examination, Emirates ID, and visa stamping.
Are there hidden fees with IFZA?
Not hidden, but often overlooked. Founders commonly miss establishment card renewal fees, activity amendment charges, document attestation costs, and the cost of adding business activities after initial setup. Maya AI surfaces these during the recommendation process.
What does IFZA renewal cost?
IFZA renewal is typically 10-20% lower than your first-year cost because one-time setup fees (name reservation, initial establishment card) do not recur. Expect to pay the license renewal fee plus any visa renewal charges.
Is IFZA cheaper than DMCC?
Yes, materially. IFZA's entry point is around AED 12,900 compared to DMCC's starting range of AED 20,000+. For consulting and service businesses that do not need DMCC's JLT prestige or commodity trading positioning, IFZA typically saves AED 7,000-15,000 in the first year.