License With – 0 Visa
Licence only · upgrade to visas anytime
AED 12,900
- Trade licence & registration
- Upgrade to visas anytime
- Company name reservation
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
FREE ZONE · DUBAI
IFZA Free Zone Company Formation for South Africans
Guide for South African founders · around 8 hours from Johannesburg from Pretoria
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 4 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- Free ZoneLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 4 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 12,900Renewal cost
About IFZA
Why IFZA Free Zone
Setting up a company in IFZA Free Zone gives you 100% ownership, a UAE trade licence and the option to sponsor residence visas for yourself and your family. If you are weighing up where to register in the UAE, IFZA Free Zone deserves a close look for its Dubai address and routine renewal process. Payments between South Africa and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, South African rand (ZAR) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with South African business profiles. GoldenKey has South African clients from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, and our consultants understand the paperwork issued in South Africa and how to attest them for the UAE.
To be clear, unlike some zones, IFZA Free Zone does not require a large paid-up capital to be blocked in a bank account before the licence is issued. Day to day, one of the reasons our advice is to choose IFZA Free Zone is its Dubai address, which matters more than most founders realise once the business is running. From day one, for South Africans, the practical advantages of IFZA Free Zone are the ease of travel between South Africa and the UAE, English is the working language in both countries, and a banking system that processes South African rand (ZAR) transfers daily.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Just as important, use the table below to compare packages for IFZA Free Zone company formation for South Africans; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. All prices for IFZA Free Zone company formation for South Africans are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before any payment.
License With – 1 Visa
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 14,900
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License With – 2 Visa
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 16,900
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License With – 3 Visa
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 18,900
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License With – 4 Visa
4 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 20,900
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 4 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-27.
Business activities
Explore business activities in IFZA
IFZA licenses trading, service, professional and industrial activities. Search every activity we license across the UAE and see where it is available and what it costs.
Required documents
Documents required
Put simply, for IFZA Free Zone company formation for South Africans the registrar asks for the following papers, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- A bank statement from your South Africa bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Educational certificates attested by the South Africa authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activitiesif applicable
- Attested parent-company supporting documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a companyif applicable
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE residentif applicable
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zonesif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Our process
How IFZA Free Zone works with GoldenKey
- 1
Consultation and activity selection
GoldenKey starts by confirming your activity is available in IFZA Free Zone, then agrees the licence category, visa quota and office option with you in writing. If the authority raises a query on IFZA Free Zone company formation for South Africans at this stage, we handle it the same day.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
Your trade name is reserved with the IFZA Free Zone authority and initial approval is obtained; this stage rarely takes more than two working days.
- 3
Document submission and payment
You sign the application forms and memorandum, we submit the attested papers and the licence fee is paid to the registrar. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for IFZA Free Zone company formation for South Africans.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Your IFZA Free Zone licence, certificate of incorporation and lease are issued, and we move straight on to the establishment card, visas and bank introduction.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about IFZA. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsDo I need to visit the UAE to set up in IFZA Free Zone?
Most IFZA Free Zone licences can be issued remotely with scanned documents and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your residency visa is processed.
Can I open a UAE bank account with a IFZA Free Zone company?
Yes, IFZA Free Zone companies open accounts with UAE banks every day. Approval depends on the bank's compliance review of your profile, business plan and documents, and GoldenKey prepares the file and introduces you to a suitable bank.
What is the difference between an FZE and an FZCO in IFZA Free Zone?
An FZE has one shareholder and an FZCO has two or more. Both offer limited liability and 100% foreign ownership, and the fees in IFZA Free Zone are usually the same.
Is there a double taxation agreement between South Africa and the UAE?
Yes. The UAE and South Africa have a double taxation agreement, and a UAE tax residency certificate lets you claim treaty relief on qualifying income. GoldenKey can obtain the certificate once your company is established.
Can a South African citizen own 100% of a company in IFZA Free Zone?
Yes. South Africans can own the full share capital of a IFZA Free Zone company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in IFZA?
From day one, prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss IFZA Free Zone company formation for South Africans.
Good to know
More about IFZA
Why the UAE
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes IFZA Free Zone company formation for South Africans a route to relocation as well as a business decision. Day to day, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for IFZA Free Zone company formation for South Africans.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for IFZA Free Zone company formation for South Africans list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. GoldenKey's consultants have handled IFZA Free Zone company formation for South Africans for traders, consultants, tech company owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. Put simply, after your IFZA Free Zone licence is issued, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice.
