When did Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025 take effect?

15 October 2025 per Gibson Dunn and Norton Rose Fulbright. Clyde & Co states 15 November 2025. Several provisions are phased over 12-24 months.

Company Registration in IFZA

Government Fee

from 12 900 AED

Processing time

from 6 business days

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Dubai

IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2017 and located in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE. Through its partnership with Dubai Silicon Oasis, IFZA provides entrepreneurs with unique opportunities, combining flexible business conditions and access to modern infrastructure. This free zone was created to attract small and medium-sized enterprises as well as international companies that require simple and cost-effective options for entering the UAE market. The free zone offers extensive office solutions, including virtual offices, co-working spaces, and physical offices, allowing businesses to flexibly scale and adapt as they grow. IFZA supports a wide range of sectors, including trade, professional services, and technology, offering optimal conditions for effective business development. Businesses registered in IFZA are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE. IFZA issues the following types of business licenses: Commercial (wholesale and retail trade) Professional (provision of services) IFZA supports companies at every stage of development—from launch to expansion—by providing resources for long-term growth and strengthening competitive advantages. These opportunities create a favorable environment for international expansion and sustainable business success.

What you get:

Access to Local and Global Markets
Strategic Location
Remote Company Registration
Full Profit Control
Wide Range of Business Activities
Combining Business Activities
Business Ecosystem

About International Free Zone Authority

IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2017 and located in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE. Through its partnership with Dubai Silicon Oasis, IFZA provides entrepreneurs with unique opportunities, combining flexible business conditions and access to modern infrastructure. This free zone was created to attract small and medium-sized enterprises as well as international companies that require simple and cost-effective options for entering the UAE market.

The free zone offers extensive office solutions, including virtual offices, co-working spaces, and physical offices, allowing businesses to flexibly scale and adapt as they grow. IFZA supports a wide range of sectors, including trade, professional services, and technology, offering optimal conditions for effective business development. Businesses registered in IFZA are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE.

IFZA issues the following types of business licenses:

Commercial (wholesale and retail trade)
Professional (provision of services)

IFZA supports companies at every stage of development—from launch to expansion—by providing resources for long-term growth and strengthening competitive advantages. These opportunities create a favorable environment for international expansion and sustainable business success.

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Software development and sales
International Free Zone Authority
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost22 250 AED
Duration6 bus. days
Go to service
Marketing Management
International Free Zone Authority
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost20 250 AED
Duration6 bus. days
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Parties and Events Filming
International Free Zone Authority
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost20 250 AED
Duration6 bus. days
Go to service
Management Consultancies
International Free Zone Authority
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost20 250 AED
Duration6 bus. days
Go to service
E-commerce
International Free Zone Authority
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost20 250 AED
Duration6 bus. days
Go to service
Accounting and Bookkeeping
International Free Zone Authority
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost20 250 AED
Duration6 bus. days
Go to service

We offer products IFZA

Visa Obtaining
Assistance with filling out documents or turnkey visa obtaining services. The services includes various types of resident visas. Tourist and transit visas are not included
Service
Company setup
Services related to the establishment of a new company
Service

Suitable Targets

Local Business

Company registration for conducting business that requires a local presence in the UAE.

International Business

Company registration for conducting business both within specific jurisdictions and outside the UAE, including international wholesale trade and the provision of services at a global level.

Regional Representation

Establishing permanent establishments or subsidiaries to promote interests and coordinate operations in the Middle Eastern market.

Corporate Governance Center

Establishing a management company to coordinate and efficiently oversee the operations of branches and subsidiaries worldwide from a centralized hub in the UAE.

Investment Projects

Company registration for implementing and managing investment projects and startup accelerators in the UAE using own funds or attracted investments.

International Assets

Establishing a holding company in the UAE to own, manage, and oversee assets worldwide.

Resident Visa

Company registration for obtaining a UAE residency visa with the right to permanent residence, opening a bank account in UAE banks, and acquiring tax residency.

Popular Business Fields

Information Technology & Communication
01
Professional services
02
Media, Marketing & Publishing
03
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
04
Household & Consumer Goods
05
Finance, Banking & Insurance
06

IFZA Offices and Commercial Premises

Virtual Office

An official registered address without the need to rent a physical office solution

1/6

Coworking

Flexi DeskA workspace in the coworking space with 10 hours of access per week during working hours and 1 hour of meeting room usage per month. Flexi Desk+A workspace in the coworking space with unlimited access during working hours and 5 hours of meeting room usage per month. Dedicated WorkspaceA workspace in the coworking space, separated by partitions, with unlimited access during working hours, 5 hours of meeting room usage, and 1 hour of conference room usage per month.

Dedicated Offices

Shared or private offices with limited access during working hours

1/3

Offices

Private OfficeOffice with a size from 12 to 20 sq.m., with 24/7 unlimited access, 7 hours of meeting room usage, and 2 hours of conference room usage per month. One parking space is allocated per office. Personalized OfficeOffice with a size from 20 sq.m., with 24/7 unlimited access, 7 hours of meeting room usage, and 5 hours of conference room usage per month. Two parking spaces are allocated per office.

1/3

Business Spaces

Meeting RoomsFully equipped rooms for 4–6 people, intended for business meetings, negotiations, and presentations. Event SpacesOutdoor event terrace for up to 200 guests.

Requirements for Legal Entities Names

May contain the name of a shareholder
Must not violate the country laws or contain words that are obscene, indecent or generally offensive
Must not contain the names of Allah, Buddha or God, or any other religious terminology
Must not begin with words, such as "International", "Middle East", "Global", "Universal", or their equivalents in other languages
Must not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights
Must not be identical or similar to local/global brands or registered trademarks

Authorized capital requirements

The minimum share capital required for IFZA company is AED 10,000. Its contribution is optional.

If a shareholder plans to obtain an investor visa, his/her share in the share capital must be at least AED 48,000.

Tax Regime and Profit Management

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Since January 1, 2018, the UAE has implemented a VAT rate of 5%, which applies to most goods and services and is charged to companies operating within the country, except for those registered in designated zones.
A Designated Zone is a territory within a free zone that is treated as outside the UAE for tax purposes, allowing goods to be exempt from taxation, provided certain criteria are met. The main taxation rules in Designated Zones are as follows:

The Designated Zones are listed in the Cabinet Decision to Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax (VAT).
Goods moved between or within Designated Zones are not subject to tax.
The export and import of goods between a Designated Zone and a foreign company are also not subject to tax.

For local companies and those registered in Non-Designated Zones (free zones not included in the Designated Zones list), the standard tax rules set forth in the Federal Decree-Law on VAT apply.

Companies with an annual turnover exceeding AED 375,000 are required to register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) as VAT taxpayers.
Companies with a turnover between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000 may register on a voluntary basis.
Companies can offset VAT paid on purchases of goods and services (input VAT) against the VAT they collect on sales (output VAT), shifting the tax burden to the final consumer.
Some goods and services may be exempt from VAT or taxed at a 0% rate, such as international transportation, educational, and medical services.

Corporate Tax

As of June 1, 2023, the UAE has introduced a corporate tax at a rate of 9%, levied on the taxable net profit of companies with income exceeding AED 375,000.
A 0% rate is applied to taxable income not exceeding AED 375,000.
Charitable, non-profit organizations and medical institutions are fully exempt from corporate tax.

Excise Tax

Since October 1, 2017, the UAE has introduced an excise tax aimed at reducing the consumption of harmful products and funding healthcare initiatives. The tax applies to alcohol, tobacco products, and beverages containing added sugar, including energy drinks and carbonated beverages.Excise tax rates vary depending on the product category:

50% on carbonated drinks (excluding mineral water)
100% on tobacco products
100% on energy drinks
100% on electronic smoking devices and liquids used for them
50% on products containing added sugar or sweeteners.

Companies dealing with excise goods must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), submit monthly declarations, and maintain records. Excise tax is paid upon the import, production, or release of goods for consumption in the UAE.

Customs Duties

Custom duties in the UAE are applied to most imported goods at a standard rate of 5% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF). Exceptions include certain categories of goods, such as medicines and food products, which may be exempt from duties or subject to a reduced rate.
Goods imported into UAE free zones are generally not subject to customs duties as long as they remain within these zones. However, when such goods are transferred to the UAE mainland, standard duties apply.

Personal Income Tax

In the UAE, personal income is not subject to taxation.
UAE citizens and residents are exempt from paying taxes on their personal income, including salaries, interest, dividends, inheritances, gifts, luxury goods, and capital gains.

Local Taxes and Fees

Individual emirates may impose specific local taxes and fees in line with their economic and social needs. These taxes and fees are aimed at supporting public services and implementing infrastructure projects.