IFZA E-commerce License in 2026: What IFZA Publishes, What It Does Not, and How to Get a Real Quote

IFZA does not publish a price for its e-commerce license. Its e-commerce guide, last updated on 23 April 2026, lists no license fee, no visa cost and no processing time, and its set-up page says the same. What IFZA does state is that you can apply without being physically present in the UAE, that free zone companies get 100% ownership, and that selling across the UAE needs a mainland distributor. This page sets out what is published as of October 2026, what is missing, and the questions that get you a quote you can compare.

What does IFZA publish about its e-commerce license?

These are the statements on IFZA's own pages, as read in October 2026:

IFZA's e-commerce guide lists examples of goods sold under an e-commerce license, such as sports goods, electronics, clothes, accessories and jewelry, and says "thousands of business activities" are available. It gives no activity codes.

Which IFZA license type does an online seller need?

IFZA's set-up page describes the Commercial license as allowing "the trade, import and export of a wide range of compliant goods". For a seller of physical products on Amazon.ae, noon or your own store, that is the closest match. The Professional license is described as for consultancy and services, and the Branch license is for foreign-incorporated companies registering a branch.

IFZA does not tell you on those pages which of its activities the e-commerce sale of your product falls under. Ask IFZA to name, in writing, the exact activity that will print on your license, and check it matches your product categories. The same point matters in every zone: see how Meydan publishes several different codes for e-commerce on different pages.

How much does an IFZA e-commerce license cost?

IFZA does not publish a figure on the pages we could read, so there is no sourced IFZA price to give you here. We will not quote a number from a third-party consultancy as if it were IFZA's. What IFZA does say is that the number of visas depends on the size of your business and the location, and its pages point you to a consultation for the rest.

To judge any IFZA quote, compare it against prices other zones do publish. As of October 2026:

These are starting prices, not like-for-like totals: the inclusions differ. The cross-zone view is in UAE e-commerce license cost and cheapest free zone e-commerce license.

What should you ask IFZA for in writing?

Send the same list to every zone you are comparing, and ask for one total.

1. License type and the exact activity or activities that will print on it, with codes.
2. License fee for year one and for year two, with the term (1 year or more).
3. Number of visa allocations included, and the price of each visa and of the Emirates ID and medical steps.
4. Whether a virtual or flexi-desk arrangement is included. IFZA's set-up page says virtual workplaces are allowed for some free zone companies.
5. Government and portal fees, name reservation, share certificate, Memorandum of Association and any amendment fees.
6. Bank account help: which banks, what documents, and whether you must visit the UAE.
7. Cost of adding a mainland route if you need one.

If an item is "not published", ask for it by email and keep the reply.

Can an IFZA company sell in mainland UAE?

IFZA's guide says you can sell to the entire UAE with an e-commerce license, but a distributor in the mainland is required. In plain terms, a free zone company that sells goods to mainland customers usually relies on a mainland-licensed party to handle that sale, unless it holds its own mainland license or permit. Dubai now has formal routes for free zone companies to operate on the mainland, including a Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit at AED 5,000 for six months for eligible holders of a Dubai Unified License. Whether an IFZA company qualifies is something IFZA and DET must confirm for your case. The full rules are in can a free zone company sell in mainland UAE.

How do you get an IFZA license, step by step?

IFZA describes a six-step process: consultation, documentation, processing, license approval, Memorandum and Articles of Association, and license issuance. It gives no duration for any step. In practice you will:

1. Book a consultation and share your activities, shareholders and visa needs.
2. Send passport copies and a visa copy if you are a UAE resident.
3. Reserve a trade name. IFZA says the trade name is valid for six months.
4. Sign the company documents and pay.
5. Receive the license, then open a bank account and apply for any visas.

IFZA also warns that trading illegally in the UAE can bring fines of up to AED 50,000 per transaction. Confirm the penalty basis with the licensing authority.

What about VAT and corporate tax?

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Confirm with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) or a registered tax agent. VAT registration is mandatory once taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000, and optional above AED 187,500. Read UAE VAT registration for sellers and UAE corporate tax for sellers: a free zone license does not on its own settle either question.

FAQ

How much does an IFZA e-commerce license cost? IFZA does not publish a fee on its e-commerce guide or its set-up page. It says the number of visas depends on the size of your business and the location, and points you to a consultation. Ask for a written quote showing year-one and year-two costs.

Can I get an IFZA e-commerce license from outside the UAE? IFZA says you can apply without needing to be physically present in the UAE. Bank account opening and visa steps can have their own requirements, so ask which of them need a visit.

Does IFZA give 100% foreign ownership? IFZA lists "100% ownership of commercial enterprises" among its free zone benefits. Ownership is a separate matter from where you may sell, which is limited to the free zone's rules and the mainland routes.

Can an IFZA company sell to mainland UAE customers? IFZA's guide says you can sell to the entire UAE but a mainland distributor is required. Dubai also offers free zone companies a license or permit route to operate on the mainland through DET, subject to eligibility.

Which IFZA license is right for selling products online? IFZA's Commercial license covers trade, import and export of compliant goods, which matches product sellers. The Professional license is for consultancy and services. Ask IFZA to confirm your activity in writing.

Do I need an office for an IFZA license? IFZA's set-up page says virtual workplaces are allowed for some free zone companies and that mainland companies need at least 200 sq ft. The exact requirement for your license and visa count is not published there, so ask.

Is IFZA cheaper than Meydan or Sharjah free zones? Nobody can say from published data, because IFZA lists no price. Meydan and SPC publish starting prices that you can use as benchmarks, but inclusions differ. Compare written quotes with the same activities and visa count.

What to do next

Send IFZA the seven-point list above, get the same from one or two other zones, and compare year-one and year-two totals. When you hold the license and a bank account, Blooprint, which manages Amazon.ae and noon seller accounts and marketplace advertising for brands, can run your Amazon.ae account management and noon account management. More options are in e-commerce license in Sharjah.