IFZA is the International Free Zone Authority, a UAE free zone with a strong presence in Dubai and Fujairah. It offers fast setup, 100% foreign ownership and a wide range of business licence types.

Which IFZA licence is best for a trading company?

General Trading is best if you want flexibility across many product categories. Commercial Trading is better if you only trade a specific category and want a lower entry cost.

Can I combine e-commerce with a trading licence?

Yes. IFZA allows you to bundle e-commerce with commercial or general trading activities so you can sell online and offline under one licence.

How many visas does an IFZA licence include?

Visa quotas depend on the licence type and office package. Flexi-desk packages usually include 1–3 visas, while larger offices and industrial units can support more.

How long does IFZA company formation take?

IFZA typically issues a licence within 3–7 working days after all documents are submitted and approved.

Does RAKEFZ help with IFZA setup?

RAKEFZ is a UAE company formation portal focused on Ras Al Khaimah. We can also advise on IFZA and other leading free zones across the UAE.

Free Zone Licenses

IFZA Dubai business licence types

Compare IFZA licence types for trading, services, industry and e-commerce. Understand costs, visa quotas and the right fit for your business. RAKEFZ is your RAK formation portal — we also cover leading UAE free zones.

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1–6+ visas

General Trading

Import, export, distribute and trade a wide range of permitted goods within the UAE and internationally.

Best for: Trading companies, import/export businesses

1–4 visas

Commercial / Trading

Trade in a specific list of products. More focused than a general trading licence and often lower cost.

Best for: Retail, wholesale and commodity traders

1–3 visas

Professional / Service

Offer consultancy, marketing, IT, design, management and other service-based activities.

Best for: Consultants, agencies, freelancers, tech firms

2–unlimited visas

Industrial

Manufacture, assemble, package and export products. Requires suitable warehouse or industrial space.

Best for: Manufacturers, light assembly, packaging

1–3 visas

E-commerce

Sell goods and services online through websites, marketplaces and apps. Can be combined with trading activities.

Best for: Online retailers, dropshippers, SaaS sellers

IFZA licence type comparison

Licence type

Activities

Typical visas

Best suited to

General Trading

Broad product import/export and distribution

1–6+

Multi-product traders

Commercial

Specific category trading

1–4

Wholesale/retail

Professional

Services, consulting, IT, marketing

1–3

Consultants and agencies

Industrial

Manufacturing, assembly, packaging

Producers and assemblers

E-commerce

Online sales, dropshipping, SaaS

1–3

Digital sellers

Why choose IFZA?

✓100% foreign ownership
✓0% personal income tax
✓Fast licence issuance, often under 7 days
✓Wide activity list and licence bundling
✓No physical office required for some packages

Considerations

•Office package affects visa quota
•Some regulated activities need extra approvals
•Mainland distribution may require a dual licence
•Annual renewal fees apply from year two

IFZA licence FAQs

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