Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) sits next to Sharjah International Airport and its cargo centre, about 10 minutes from Sharjah city centre and 20 minutes from Dubai. It is run by the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority and is built for trading, service and industrial companies, with offices, warehouses and land plots in one place. Our Sharjah office is in SAIF Zone, so we know its processes first hand. We help you choose the right licence, company type and facility, prepare the documents and handle the application, visas and corporate bank account.
- Location: next to Sharjah International Airport and cargo centre
- Authority: Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority
- Licence types: Trade, Service and Industrial
- Company types: Free Zone Establishment (FZE), Free Zone Company (FZC), Branch of a UAE company, Branch of a foreign company
- Shareholders: 1 for an FZE; more than 1 for an FZC (individuals or companies)
- Minimum share capital: AED 150,000 for an FZE or FZC; none for a branch
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership, no local partner needed
- Space: furnished and unfurnished offices, pre-built warehouses, land plots and a Jewellery Park
Who SAIF Zone Suits
- Import, export and distribution companies that use air cargo or nearby sea ports
- Manufacturers, processors, packers and assemblers that need a warehouse or their own factory
- Jewellery manufacturers (SAIF Zone has a dedicated Jewellery Park)
- Shipping, freight forwarding and logistics businesses
- Consultancies, e-commerce and other service companies that want a Sharjah free zone base
- Companies that need staff accommodation close to their facility
Licence Types in SAIF Zone
Trade licence
Covers import, export, distribution, consolidation, storage or warehousing of goods, up to a maximum of 3 similar product lines.
Service licence
Lets you carry out the services named on the licence, such as business consultancy, shipping and freight forwarding, or e-commerce. All types of services are allowed unless restricted by federal or local authorities.
Industrial licence
Covers importing raw materials, manufacturing, processing, assembling, packaging and exporting the finished product, including jewellery manufacturing. Clearance from the SAIF Zone Health and Environment Department is required.
Company Types in SAIF Zone
Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
A limited liability establishment owned by one natural or juridical person (an individual or a company). It is a separate legal entity with its own financial liability.
Minimum share capital AED 150,000.
Free Zone Company (FZC)
A limited liability company with more than one shareholder. It is a separate legal entity with its own financial liability.
Minimum share capital AED 150,000.
Branch of a UAE company
An existing company registered in the UAE can open a branch in SAIF Zone.
No share capital is required.
Branch of a foreign company
A company incorporated outside the UAE can open a branch in SAIF Zone.
No share capital is required.
Office, Warehouse and Land Options
SAIF Zone offers three office products. The SAIF Suite is a fully furnished executive suite with a quota of 8 visas. The SAIF Executive Office is an unfurnished, customisable space with utilities included and a quota of 5 visas. The SAIF Office is a furnished, dedicated desk space on a non-sharing basis with a quota of 3 visas.
For goods and production, there are pre-built warehouses in 125, 250, 400 and 600 square metre sizes, land plots from 2,500 square metres for your own warehouse or factory, the Jewellery Park, container parking and staff accommodation. The facility sets your visa quota, so we match it to your visa plan before you sign.
How to Set Up a Company in SAIF Zone
- Free consultation: we confirm your activity, licence type and company type.
- Activity check: industrial activities need Health and Environment Department clearance, and some activities need approval from other government departments; we tell you up front.
- Choose your facility: office, warehouse or land plot.
- Submit the application form, project summary and documents to SAIF Zone and pay the fees.
- Sign the lease and receive your licence and company documents. SAIF Zone runs a single-window service and says it delivers licences and permits within one hour once everything is in order.
- Apply for investor and employee residence visas and Emirates IDs.
- Open your corporate bank account and register for corporate tax.
Documents You Need
For an FZE or FZC: completed application form, a project summary and passport copies of the owners and managers.
For a branch: the same, plus the parent company's certificate of incorporation, a board resolution to open the branch in SAIF Zone and a power of attorney appointing the person in charge. A branch of a foreign company also needs the memorandum and articles of association or equivalent.
Parent company documents must be notarised and attested in the country of origin by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy, then attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The same applies where a shareholder of an FZE or FZC is a company. We send you the exact checklist for your activity.
SAIF Zone Setup Costs
Your cost depends on the licence type, the facility you lease, the number of visas and any activity approvals. Remember to plan for the minimum share capital of AED 150,000 for an FZE or FZC. Tell us your activity and visa needs and we send you a written, itemised quote.
Corporate Tax for SAIF Zone Companies
Every SAIF Zone company must register for UAE corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income if it meets the conditions, such as keeping adequate substance in the free zone and audited financial statements, and 9% on other taxable income. A company that does not qualify is taxed at 0% up to AED 375,000 and 9% above. Our group's tax agency can handle registration and filing.
Why Set Up in SAIF Zone With Jitendra Business Consultants
Company formation in the UAE since 2001, with 5,500+ companies formed. One group for setup, accounting, VAT, corporate tax and trademarks. Offices in Dubai and Sharjah, and our Sharjah office is in SAIF Zone itself. Advice in English, Arabic and Hindi.
SAIF Zone Company Setup FAQs
What is the difference between an FZE and an FZC in SAIF Zone?
An FZE is owned by one shareholder, who can be an individual or a company. An FZC has more than one shareholder. Both are limited liability entities with a minimum share capital of AED 150,000.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a SAIF Zone company?
Yes. You do not need a local partner. A SAIF Zone company can be fully foreign owned.
What is the minimum share capital in SAIF Zone?
SAIF Zone lists a minimum share capital of AED 150,000 for an FZE or FZC in its published FAQ. We confirm the current requirement for your activity before you apply. A branch of a UAE or foreign company needs no share capital.
How many visas can I get with a SAIF Zone office?
It depends on the facility. The SAIF Office includes a quota of 3 visas, the SAIF Executive Office 5 and the SAIF Suite 8. Warehouses and land plots are planned around your staff numbers.
How long is a SAIF Zone residence visa valid?
SAIF Zone states that residence visas are valid for 3 years for investors and 2 years for employees, from the date of issue.
Can a SAIF Zone company sell in the UAE local market?
Yes, goods can be sold in the UAE local market subject to the relevant customs duties. The SAIF Zone licence itself covers operating inside the free zone, so working elsewhere in the UAE depends on the rules of that emirate.
Are there customs duties on goods in SAIF Zone?
SAIF Zone states that no duties are imposed on goods imported into or exported from the free zone, as long as the trade matches your licence. Customs duties apply when goods are sold into the UAE local market.
Which SAIF Zone licence do I need?
It depends on what you do. A trade licence covers import, export, distribution and storage of up to 3 similar product lines. A service licence covers the services named on it, such as consultancy, freight forwarding or e-commerce. An industrial licence covers manufacturing, processing, assembling and packaging, and needs Health and Environment Department clearance.
Can a SAIF Zone company open a bank account in US dollars?
Yes. SAIF Zone notes that UAE banks allow companies to open accounts in US dollars and other major currencies. We help you prepare the bank file and introduce you to suitable banks.
Is SAIF Zone the same as Sharjah Airport Free Zone?
Yes. SAIF Zone is short for Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, run by the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority.