Ifza business setup cost - one of the most cost‑effective ways to start a business in Dubai
Setting up a company in IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is one of the most cost‑effective ways to start a business in Dubai, especially for small businesses, freelancers and international entrepreneurs.Ifza business setup cost is competitive, transparent, and can be tailored around how many visas you need and what type of license you choose.
IFZA license cost with BCL: starting point
According to BCL’s IFZA Free Zone page, the core cost is the license fee, with a small additional security check fee.
Typical baseline figures shown are:
IFZA license fee (zero‑visa commercial license): from about AED 12,900 for a 1‑year license.
Security check: AED 500 (listed separately to “avoid rejection”).
So, when BCL quotes IFZA “Free Zone license cost starting AED 13,950”, they are essentially combining the 12,900 license fee with the 500 security charge and minor admin to show an all‑in starting number.
BCL’s own pricing grid for freezone setups confirms Dubai IFZA “Total Cost 13,400 – Company set‑up costs 12,900 + Security Check 500”, which is consistent with the IFZA price ranges published by other consultants and IFZA‑focused sites.
How cost changes with visa quota
Your total IFZA business setup cost mainly changes based on how many visas you want under your license.
Standard IFZA 1‑year license packages (often mirrored by BCL and other agents) are typically:
Zero‑visa license: AED 12,900
1‑visa license: AED 14,900
2‑visa license: AED 16,900
3‑visa license: AED 18,900
4‑visa license: AED 20,900
BCL’s IFZA page follows the same structure: a core license fee starting around AED 12,900 and higher fee options when you add 1 or more visa quotas. For a solo consultant who doesn’t need an employee visa immediately, the zero‑visa package via BCL is the cheapest way to get an IFZA trade or service license.
Extra government and visa‑related costs
Beyond the license itself, there are optional government costs if you plan to actually obtain residence visas under your IFZA company. BCL’s summary shows:
Establishment Card: sometimes included at AED 0 in specific promotions, otherwise typically around AED 2,000 per year.
2‑year residence visa (investor/employee): many IFZA guides show ~AED 3,750 per visa for stamping; additional government fees apply for medical and Emirates ID.
Updated IFZA cost breakdowns from other professional advisors suggest:
Establishment card: AED 2,000–2,500
Entry permit: AED 900–1,200
Change of status (if applying in the UAE): AED 750–900
Medical test: AED 300–400
Emirates ID: AED 1,000–1,200
Visa stamping: AED 850–1,100
BCL’s selling point is that some of their IFZA packages club parts of this into a promotional “visa included” price, but from a budgeting perspective you should plan roughly AED 7,000–8,000 per visa all‑in (including establishment card share) if it is not already built into your chosen package.
One‑year vs multi‑year packages
If you’re sure about staying in Dubai for several years, multi‑year licenses can reduce your effective annual cost.
IFZA and many partners offer:
2‑year license packages with roughly 10–15% savings.
3‑year license packages with around 20–25% savings.
In some cases, 5‑year packages with up to 30% discount on license fees.
Advisory pages note that entrepreneurs who want predictable budgeting often choose a 2‑ or 3‑year IFZA license so they are shielded from any annual price revisions and get a lower per‑year cost overall. BCL typically reflects these promos in updated price sheets or individual quotes, even if the main page highlights the 1‑year starting price.
What’s included in BCL’s IFZA setup cost (and what’s not)
From BCL’s IFZA and general freezone pricing pages, the “company set‑up costs” component usually covers:
IFZA license (commercial, service, trading or mixed activities).
Company registration and MOA preparation.
Basic support with name reservation and initial approval as part of the license process.
Security check fee (AED 500) to ensure your file is clean and avoid rejections.
Items that are often not bundled into the headline cost and may be separate (depending on the package) include:
Establishment card (if not promoted as “AED 0” in a specific offer).
Investor/employee visa processing, medical, Emirates ID and change of status.
Optional office solutions if you want physical space beyond a flexi‑desk.
Bank account assistance (sometimes charged as a small separate service fee).
This is why two IFZA quotes that both say “license cost from 12,900” can still differ in actual payable totals; what matters is whether visa and establishment card fees are included.
IFZA vs Mainland costs: why IFZA is cheaper
BCL’s own mainland pricing page shows that Dubai mainland license costs range roughly AED 13,000–17,000 just for the trade license, plus separate costs for immigration, labour file, e‑signature card, tenancy, etc. When you compare that with an IFZA zero‑visa package at around AED 12,900 including registration, you immediately see why IFZA is consistently marketed as “one of the most affordable” free zones in Dubai.
Add the benefits—100% foreign ownership, no mandatory local sponsor, fast issuance and no heavy capital requirement—and IFZA becomes a particularly attractive option for Indian and other foreign entrepreneurs who primarily need a digital or consulting base with occasional travel and visas.
Quick budgeting examples for IFZA with BCL
Based on BCL’s IFZA page and other current guides, a rough first‑year estimate would look like:
IFZA zero‑visa license via BCL
License + setup: ~AED 12,900
Security check: AED 500
Estimated total: around AED 13,400–13,950
IFZA license with 1 visa (typical consultant)
License with 1 visa quota: ~AED 14,900
Establishment card: ~AED 2,000 (if not included in promo)
Visa + medical + Emirates ID + stamping: ~AED 3,750–5,000
Security check: AED 500
Estimated total: roughly AED 22,000–25,000 for year one, depending on exact government fee in that period.
These figures align with detailed IFZA cost breakdowns showing AED 25,000–30,000 for a full setup with one visa when you include more info all extras and advisory support. BCL’s advantage is that its bundled offers sometimes shave a bit off these totals or absorb individual components like establishment card or bank account assistance into the package.
Final thoughts: how to keep IFZA setup cost under control
To keep your IFZA business setup cost tight when working with BCL or any consultant:
Start with a zero‑visa license if you do not immediately need residency; you can add a visa quota later by paying the difference.
Match your license type (trading, service, consultancy, general trading, holding) to your real activities so you avoid extra “change” fees later.
Consider a 2‑ or 3‑year package if you are committed long‑term; the per‑year cost is often noticeably lower.
Ask for a written quote that clearly separates: license fee, security check, establishment card, visa costs and any service add‑ons, so there are no surprises.
Used well, IFZA through a partner like BCL lets you enter the UAE market with a clean, internationally recognised Dubai license starting close to AED 13,000, and scale up visas and office facilities only when your business is ready.