SAIF Zone company setup, costs and visas
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone: a long-established cargo-side zone for trading and light industry, with warehouse stock and 24/7 customs.
SAIF Zone in numbers
Estimate as of 27 Jul 2026. The zone publishes no tariff. This figure is our market estimate; the zone confirms the fee in writing when you apply.
Who SAIF Zone fits and who should look elsewhere
SAIF Zone sits inside Sharjah International Airport, so its real edge is air cargo: perishables, electronics, spare parts, e-commerce stock and light assembly that move by air and clear customs around the clock. If your model is physical (you import goods, hold them in a warehouse and re-export) the zone earns its keep and its long trading pedigree shows.
It fits far less well for people with no goods to move. A solo consultant, agency or software founder is paying for cargo-side infrastructure they will never touch; a flexi‑desk zone in the same emirate will cost less. And if your work needs deep-water berths (steel, oil-field equipment, bulk cargo) the sister zone Hamriyah is the better choice.
What the AED 10,800 licence covers and what sits beyond it
The headline AED 10,800 is the licence line only. A working setup adds a mandatory facility lease (a desk is the minimum), an establishment card to sponsor staff, and per-person visa costs. Warehouse or land rental is quoted separately by size, and for an industrial user that is where most of the budget goes.
| Cost layer | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Trade / service licence | from AED 10,800/yr (the headline figure) |
| Facility | desk minimum, mandatory, priced up from there |
| Establishment card | required before you can sponsor any visa |
| Residence visa | per person; medical + Emirates ID on top |
| Warehouse / land | quoted by size, the true industrial cost |
Office, visas and substance in SAIF Zone
Because a desk is mandatory, every SAIF Zone company has a genuine registered footprint from day one. That helps with bank onboarding and with the economic substance a free-zone company needs if it wants to defend Qualifying Free Zone Person status under UAE corporate tax.
Visa allocation is tied to the facility, not fixed by the licence: a desk supports a small headcount, while a warehouse or executive office lifts the quota accordingly. Formation itself is quick (typically 3–7 working days once your documents and name approval are in) which is why the zone still competes for straightforward trading setups.
SAIF Zone vs the obvious alternatives
Against Hamriyah, SAIF trades seaport and heavy-industry land for airport speed and lighter trading: choose by cargo mode, since both are priced at Sharjah levels. Against Dubai’s JAFZA, SAIF is materially cheaper but carries a Sharjah address and airport logistics rather than Jebel Ali seaport scale. Against pure flexi‑desk zones like Shams or SPC, SAIF only wins when you need the warehouse: otherwise you are over-buying.
The decision is rarely about the licence fee; it is about cargo mode and how much physical space you use. Put the shortlisted zones side by side on our compare tool before committing.
How to set up a company in SAIF Zone
Activities and trade name
Choose the licensed activities and reserve a trade name. The activities decide which approvals you need, how banks read your file and whether your income can qualify for the 0% QFZP rate.
Documents and KYC
Passports, application forms and a clear account of where the money comes from. Free zone companies can be 100% foreign-owned, so no local sponsor is needed.
Licence and establishment card
The zone issues the licence (typically 3–7 business days). The immigration establishment card comes next and opens visa processing.
Visas and bank account
Each visa holder needs an entry permit, a medical test and an Emirates ID. The corporate bank account is opened in parallel and is usually the slowest step.
SAIF Zone: questions founders ask
How much does a SAIF Zone licence cost?
Can I register a SAIF Zone company with no office?
How many visas can a SAIF Zone company get?
SAIF Zone or Hamriyah: which is right for my business?
Where does the AED 10,800 figure come from?
Can this company do business on the UAE mainland?
Does 0% corporate tax apply here?
This is general information on UAE rules. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice for your situation. Rules and government fees change; we confirm the position for your facts in writing before you act.