At IFZA Dubai, you can find various office space options to suit different business needs.

Here are the types of offices available:

1. FLEXI DESK
   This is the perfect type of office for a startup entrepreneur. Flexi Desk is a shared workstation with 10 hours of access per week, an IFZA address, and one hour of complimentary meeting room use per month.
2. FLEXI DESK+
   If you opt for Flexi Desk+, you will enjoy unlimited access to your dedicated desk, an individual address, five hours of complimentary meeting room use per month, and one parking space.
3. DEDICATED WORKSPACES
   Dedicated workspaces offer unlimited access to a dedicated office space in a shared environment, an individual address, five hours of complimentary meeting room use per month, one hour of complimentary conference room use per month, and one parking space.
4. PRIVATE OFFICES
   For growing businesses, the IFZA private offices provide the perfect solution of unlimited access to your own dedicated office, an individual address, seven hours of complimentary meeting room use per month, two hours of complimentary conference room use per month, and one parking space.
5. PERSONALIZED OFFICES
   For businesses that are looking for offices that reflect their brand personality and company size, a personalized office offers unlimited 24/7 access to dedicated, personalized office space, an individual address, seven hours of complimentary meeting room use per month, five hours of complimentary conference room use per month, and two parking spaces.The office options at IFZA Dubai cater to various requirements, enabling businesses to choose a suitable workspace that aligns with their needs and preferences.

Becoming an IFZA Partner is a straightforward process that involves three simple steps:

1. Register your interest through our online form or by email.
2. Request and sign the IFZA-authorized partner agreement.
3. Submit a copy of your trade license (or its equivalent in your jurisdiction)

Please note that there is no cost associated with becoming an IFZA Partner.

If you’re looking for a work environment that fosters collaboration and a team-oriented culture, IFZA Dubai is the ideal place for you. Explore our career opportunities and learn more about IFZA here: IFZA Careers.

IFZA Academy offers soft skills and professional development courses to develop communication skills, learn the basics of leadership, enhance emotional intelligence, acquire project management and customer service skills, and more.

Our long-term vision is to create a continuous learning and development culture, ensuring mutual success for IFZA Dubai and its professional partners.

As one of the key pillars that strengthen IFZA’s Business to Business (B2B) model, we have supported the growth of over 1500 professional partners in the past few years.

You can contact us using the following contact information:

Phone: +971 4 512 0700

Email: [email protected]

There are several types of business licenses available in the UAE. IFZA Dubai provides a range of license options to cater to various requirements, accommodating both small local ventures and large international businesses.

This includes Professional License, Commercial License, Industrial License, or Branch. These different types of business licenses provide flexibility and options for entrepreneurs and companies to establish and operate their businesses in the UAE effectively.

The renewal process for Dubai trade licenses in an international Free Zone like IFZA Dubai is simple and straightforward: Complete the online form and e-sign the document. Receive the quotation and transfer the payment. Receive your renewed license in 2-3 business days.

Whether you have picked or are still thinking about your business name, there are a few things to consider. Your business name must not contain any indecent language or refer to any political or religious groups, nor can it use Allah’s name or refer to one of his divine attributes. If the business is named after a person, only shareholders’ names can be used; using initials is not allowed. The name must not match the names of previously registered businesses, government entities, or world-renowned companies.

Your business name cannot begin with the words: “international,” “global,” or “Middle East,” nor should it be translated or contain any special characters, e.g., comma (,), slash (/), or “&” is excluded from the special characters rule. Also, the name must be consistent with the nature of the business activity. Here’s a company naming guide to help.

Yes, if you choose IFZA Free Zone for your business setup in Dubai, it can be done remotely. First, our Professional Partners will contact you via email or consult with you at our office. Upon your discussion with them, you will be sent a proposal with details such as the type of license, business activities, visa package, and office solution.

Business activities are those actions companies take to earn profits through sales, investments, manufacturing, and distribution. In the UAE, they are also the basis for selecting the legal form of the business and the type of license that its shareholders need to apply for.

At IFZA Free Zone, we have two main types of business activities:

• Professional – For businesses providing professional consultancy and multiple types of services, for example, technical, lifestyle, and similar types of services.
• Commercial – For businesses engaged in the import, export, distribution, and storage of specified items.

IFZA offers up to 3 business activities under one license, with options for additional activities. We also offer the flexibility to combine different types of business activities under one license or change business activities at any time.

Dubai Free Zones have streamlined the entire process of company formation, and this includes simplifying the documents required from business owners who wish to set up a company in the city. At IFZA Free Zone, individual shareholders are only required to submit a passport copy, a passport photo, and a fully accomplished application form. For UAE residents, copies of their Emirates ID and UAE Visa are also required. 

It is important to note that some business activities may have additional requirements.

Free Zones such as IFZA Dubai allow you to start a business while being employed in Dubai. You do not even need to be under the visa of your new company. Thanks to amendments in UAE Laws, a number of Free Zones do not require business owners to submit permissions in the form of No Objection Certificates (NOC) from their current employers or their current visa sponsors.

It is possible for a person who is a resident of another country to register and own a business in Dubai, depending on the jurisdiction and the company’s approved business activity. Free Zones such as IFZA Dubai allow for a completely remote company formation process. The only time the business owner is required to be physically present in Dubai is for visa-related processes such as the medical fitness test and recording of biometrics.

As special economic areas ruled by their own set of regulations unique from the main jurisdiction, Free Zones allow companies to take advantage of unique benefits aimed at attracting more foreign investors to the country.

Dubai Free Zones, in particular, offer the following advantages:

• More relaxed commercial laws
• 100% foreign ownership of commercial enterprises across all business activities
• 100% import and export tax exemptions
• 100% repatriation of capital and profit
• No personal income taxes.
• Free Zones such as IFZA have waived mandatory office space requirements for certain classes of licenses.
• Shareholders’ details remain private from the public.
• Free Zones offer one-stop-shop solutions for businesses and real support in setting up the company and other processes. 
Additionally, since Free Zones are clustered around specific industries and themes, businesses can take advantage of being surrounded by other businesses that offer similar activities, an existing pool of suppliers, and infrastructure that are unique to their needs.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on company setup in a Dubai Free Zone.

No, it is not mandatory to open a UAE corporate bank account to set up your business. However, having a bank account can provide several benefits:

1. It can position your company as an established entity, enhance your credibility with clients and suppliers, and facilitate smoother financial transactions.
2. A UAE bank account may be required for certain business activities and can be advantageous when securing contracts or dealing with local partners.

IFZA offers a comprehensive range of banking support services designed to support the needs of our network of Professional Partners and Licensees. Our banking experts are available at the IFZA headquarters to help you navigate the requirements of setting up a corporate bank account in Dubai.

To open a corporate bank account in UAE, it is essential to submit all the necessary legal & corporate documents along with a duly filled application form. The list of important documents required for opening a corporate bank account in UAE includes:

• Copy of the Emirates ID of the shareholder representative
• Company trade license
• Certificate of registration or incorporation
• Lease Agreement
• Utility bill
• Detailed business plan
• Memorandum and articles of association
• Board resolution authorizing a company officer to open a bank account
• Copies of passports of shareholders and authorized signatories
• Disclosure of the source of funds
• List of names of at least 5 suppliers and 5 customers
• Shareholders’ personal bank statements for the last 6 months from their home country or UAE (if applicable)
• Shareholders’ corporate bank statement (of an existing company) for the last 6 months (if applicable)
• Certificate of Good Standing After discussing the application process with an advisor or bank branch,

The next step is to complete the application process by submitting all necessary documents with the duly filled application form to the bank officials. The bank will then authenticate every detail and gather background information about the applicant’s management team, shareholders, and directors.

The final step is the applicant’s interview, and once completed, the corporate bank account will be opened. 

IFZA Dubai offers a comprehensive range of banking support services designed to support the needs of our network of Professional Partners and Licensees. Our banking experts are available at the IFZA headquarters, to help you navigate through the requirements of setting up a corporate bank account in Dubai.  View our comprehensive guide on corporate banking in the UAE.

IFZA stands for International Free Zone Authority, as per its establishment in 2017.

Renting an office from IFZA Dubai is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Explore Office Options

Start by exploring the different types of offices available at IFZA Free Zone, such as Flexi Desk, Flexi Desk+, Dedicated Workspaces, Private Offices, and Personalized Offices. Determine which option suits your business needs.

2. Contact IFZA

Reach out to our global network of Professional partners to express your interest in renting an office.

3. Consultation and Requirements

During your conversation, they will provide you with information about the office spaces, availability, and any specific requirements or documents needed for the rental process.

4. Office Agreement and Documentation

Once you have selected an office space, you will need to sign the official agreement provided by IFZA Free Zone. Additionally, you may be required to submit certain documents, such as identification proofs and company details.

5. Payment and Confirmation

After fulfilling the necessary paperwork and meeting the financial obligations, make the required payment per the agreed terms. Once the payment is processed, you will receive confirmation of your office rental from IFZA Dubai.
Our team of property experts will guide you through the process and address any specific queries or concerns you may have.

Yes, IFZA Free Zone allows a combination of activities.

There is no individual tax levied in Dubai. However, there are other local and federal taxes that are being imposed in the city, including:

 
• Value Added Tax (VAT) of 5% on most goods and services.

 

• Excise Tax on goods that are considered to have a negative impact on human health of the environment, such as tobacco products, energy drinks and carbonated drinks.

 

• Customs Duties on goods imported from a foreign country into the mainland. However, Free Zone-registered companies are allowed to import goods from a foreign country into their respective jurisdictions without payment of customs duties.

 

• Tourist Facility-Related Taxes that are specific to hotels, resorts and restaurants include Municipality Fees, City Tax, Tourism Fees and Service Charges.

In January 2022, Ministry of Finance announced that it will introduce federal Corporate tax (CT) on the net profits of businesses. The tax will become applicable either on 1 June 2023 or on 1 January 2024, depending on the financial year followed by the business. CT will be applied across all the emirates.

IFZA Dubai is the only Free Zone Community that operates on a Business to Business (B2B) Model.
We work hand-in-hand with a global network of thousands of Professional Partners to provide support to both startups and established businesses that choose IFZA as the base of their MENA operations, wherever they may be.
Beyond company formation, IFZA Dubai continues to support businesses meet the challenges of operating in the region by offering additional services through the Free Zone Ecosystem that include commercial real estate solutions, corporate banking assistance, employee health coverage, office fit out, and others.

Yes. The UAE allows opening of bank accounts for both residents and non-residents, subject to specific conditions, of course. There are numerous options in terms of banking institutions and account types to choose from, including zero balance business accounts for new businesses to large corporate accounts. Companies registered at IFZA Free Zone have the benefit of corporate account opening assistance with Commercial Bank of Dubai from the IFZA headquarters as well as dedicated access to the fully digital Wio Bank.