# Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone)

> SAIF Zone publishes a licence fee from AED 7,500 but no full package price, states incorporation in 1 day and requires at least a dedicated office (checked 2026-10-24).

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) is a general business, industrial and logistics free zone in Sharjah, licensed by Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority, established in 1995.

- Emirate: Sharjah
- Licensing authority: Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority
- Official website: https://www.saif-zone.com/
- Also known as: SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport International Free Zone)
- Last checked: 2026-10-24
- Page: https://freezoneguide.com/uae/sharjah/saif-zone

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Solo, no visa (year 1): one founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity | Not published |
| Founder + 1 visa (year 1): one founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office | Not published |
| Team, 3 visas (year 1): three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office | Not published |
| Lowest package of any size, without stated conditions (year 1) | Not published |
| Lowest licence fee | AED 7,500 |
| Largest visa quota in a package | Not published |
| Minimum office | Dedicated office |
| Licence types | Trading, Services / consultancy, Industrial, E-commerce, Other |
| Minimum share capital | AED 150,000 |
| Incorporation time (stated) | 1 day |
| On the FTA VAT Designated Zone list | Yes |

## Packages

| Package | Year 1 | Renewal | Visa quota | Office | Includes | Excludes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Warehouse Business Support Package Offer - 125 sqm Warehouse (offer ended) | AED 48,000 | — | — | Warehouse | 125 sqm pre-built warehouse; Flexible payment plan up to 5 instalments |  |
| Warehouse Business Support Package Offer - 250 sqm Warehouse (offer ended) | AED 88,000 | — | — | Warehouse | 250 sqm pre-built warehouse; Flexible payment plan up to 5 instalments |  |
| Warehouse Business Support Package Offer - 400 sqm Warehouse (offer ended) | AED 128,000 | — | — | Warehouse | 400 sqm pre-built warehouse; Flexible payment plan up to 5 instalments |  |
| Warehouse Business Support Package Offer - 600 sqm Warehouse (offer ended) | AED 164,000 | — | — | Warehouse | 600 sqm pre-built warehouse; Flexible payment plan up to 5 instalments |  |

## Identity and legal basis

- Official name (Arabic): المنطقة الحرة لمطار الشارقة الدولي
- Former, merged or alternative names: SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport International Free Zone)
- Licensing / regulating authority: Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority
- Parent group / government body: Sharjah Seaports, Customs & Free Zones Authority (Government of Sharjah)
- Zone type: General business, Industrial, Logistics
- Year established: 1995
- Official website: https://www.saif-zone.com/
- Online application portal: https://www.saif-zone.com/en/landing-page/e-services/
- Listed on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism register of free-zone company registrars: Yes

Physical locations / campuses: SAIF Zone, adjacent to Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah. [1] Public contact email: info@saif-zone.com. [2] Public contact phone: +971 6 557 0000. [2] Number of registered companies: 8,000. [3]

Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/freezone/) · [2] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/contact/) · [3] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/media/news/saif-zone-participates-in-tamel-eng/)

## Business activities

- Licence types offered: Trading, Services / consultancy, Industrial, E-commerce, Other

Activity categories offered: Commercial; Services; Industrial; Commercial & Service (E-commerce); Commercial (Precious Metals); Commercial (Food Stuff); Commercial (Chemicals); Service (Logistics & Transportation); Commercial (Medical & pharmaceutical); Services (Cargo & Freight Forwarding); Commercial (Telecommunication); Services (Consultancy); Commercial & Services (Aviation); Commercial & Services (Shipping); Commercial & Services (Oil & Gas); Service (Investment of Own Financial resources); Commercial (Supermarket / Hypermarket); Services (Audit & Accounting). [1] Activities included in base licence: 1. [1] Activities needing another authority's approval: Industrial licences: SAIF ZONE Health & Environment Department clearance; Aviation-related licences: Department of Civil Aviation (Sharjah Civil Aviation) approval; Gold and gold jewellery trading/manufacturing: Customs no objection; Commercial (Oil & Gas), Supermarket/Hypermarket, Audit & Accounting: subject to SAIF management approval. [1]

Sources: [1] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/ojxipme4/license-amendments-form.pdf)

## Cost - year one

- Lowest licence fee (zero-visa): AED 7,500

## Cost - ongoing

Visa validity: 2 years. [1] Fee for shareholder change: AED 10,000. [2] Fee for name change: AED 7,000. [3]

Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/faq) · [2] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/iznbpnw5/share-transfer-form.pdf) · [3] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/owvesole/company-name-change-form.pdf)

## Visas and residency

Visa quota rule: Quota tied to facility: SAIF Office (dedicated desk) 3 visas; SAIF Executive Office 5 visas; SAIF Suite 8 visas; warehouses, land plots and other facilities depend on business nature, proposal and size. [1] How to increase quota and cost: Submit the Additional visa request application (actual visas and labour accommodation status); reviewed by inspection and the visa committee, approved by Director CIS; additional processing time minimum 7 working days. Fee not stated. [2] Investor / partner visa available: yes. [3] Employee visa available: yes. [3] Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [4]

Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/business-set-up/) · [2] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/5skhwq1e/additional-visa-new-form.pdf) · [3] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/faq) · [4] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/r22jslop/documents-required-for-family-visa-stamping.pdf)

## Office and facilities

- Minimum facility requirement: Dedicated office
- Office / facility types: Serviced office, Private office, Warehouse, Land plot, Staff accommodation
- Warehouse available: Yes

Warehouse sizes: Pre-built warehouses in 125, 250, 400 and 600 sqm; land plots from 2,500 sqm for custom-built warehouses/factories. [1] Bonded facilities: yes. [2] Land plots for build-to-suit: yes. [1] Premises outside the zone allowed: no. [2] Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Banks & Money Exchanges; Immigration & Custom Office; Telecom & Computer Services; On-site budget worker accommodation; Travel & International Courier Services; Medical Clinics & Pharmacies; F&B outlets at SAIF MALL; Container parking; Shuttle bus to city centre. [3]

Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/business-set-up/) · [2] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/faq) · [3] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/freezone/)

## Legal structure and ownership

- Entity types available: FZE (single shareholder), FZCO (several shareholders), Branch of a UAE company, Branch of a foreign company
- Legal system: UAE civil law
- Minimum share capital: AED 150,000

Minimum shareholders: 1. [1] Corporate shareholders allowed: yes. [1] Foreign corporate shareholders allowed: yes. [2] Share capital must be paid in: yes. [3]

Sources: [1] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/2p0bllkr/sfz_document-requirements.pdf) · [2] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/5j1hw4mq/legal-amendments-form-i.pdf) · [3] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/uuynpftx/noc-form.pdf)

## Market access and customs

- Physical operations on the mainland allowed without an extra licence: No

Invoicing mainland clients: yes. [1] Can open mainland branch: yes. [2] Customs duty in the zone: No duties on goods imported into or exported from the free zone; customs duties apply when goods are sold into the UAE local market. Sharjah Customs operates on site. [1] Customs duty exemption details: Goods imported into and exported from the zone are free of customs duty; duty is payable when goods are sold into the UAE local market. [1]

Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/faq) · [2] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/uuynpftx/noc-form.pdf)

## Tax status

- VAT Designated Zone (per the FTA list): Yes

Which areas of zone are designated: Listed by zone name ('Sharjah Airport International Free Zone') without sub-area limits on the FTA list. [1] The zone states that it is a Free Zone for UAE corporate-tax purposes: yes. [2] The zone states that its companies can qualify as a Qualifying Free Zone Person: yes. [2] Corporate-tax statements above come from the zone or from general FTA guidance. The schedule of Free Zones under Cabinet Resolution 54/2023 was not available to this research, and the FTA advises taxpayers to confirm their Free Zone or Designated Zone status with the Free Zone authority. The 0% rate applies only to the Qualifying Income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person that meets all conditions; other income is taxed at the standard rate.

Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://tax.gov.ae/-/media/Files/EN/PDF/Guides/Designated-Zones---21-09-2021-sep21.pdf) · [2] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/freezone/)

## Compliance and reporting

- Annual audited financial statements required by the zone: Yes
- Beneficial-owner register filing required: Yes

Audit exemption threshold or conditions: No revenue threshold published; audited statements required for FZE and FZC at licence renewal, with a case-by-case waiver undertaking approved by the Finance & Accounts Department. [1] Activities needing anti-money-laundering registration: Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones (DPMS). [2] Annual return and renewal documents: Lease & License renewal application form; F&A Dept. acknowledgement of Audited Financial Statement (FZE & FZC) or approved waiver undertaking; Attested Certificate of Good Standing / registration proof (branch of foreign company) or valid parent licence (branch of local company); P O Box receipt or request to remove P O Box; Valid passport copies with visa page of all shareholders; Customs no objection (gold / gold jewellery licences); Sharjah Civil Aviation approval (aviation licences); Building completion certificate or valid permit, Safety Fitness Certificate and utility connection (plot of land). [3]

Sources: [1] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/1ckhku32/renewal-undertaking.pdf) · [2] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/dealers-of-precious-metals-and-stones/) · [3] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/j4gjs4v1/renewal-form.pdf)

## Setup process and speed

- Typical incorporation time stated by the zone: 1 day
- Direct application without an agent: Yes

Documents for an individual shareholder: Application form duly filled; Project Summary; Passport copies of owners/managers. [1] Attestation requirements for corporate shareholders: Certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA (or equivalent), board resolution and power of attorney must be notarised and attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in the country of origin (or the relevant embassy in the UAE if no UAE Embassy exists), then attested by MOFA in the UAE. [1]

Sources: [1] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/2p0bllkr/sfz_document-requirements.pdf)

## Operations, ecosystem and flexibility

Adding shareholders: Via share transfer: board resolution, attested corporate documents, presence of all parties; AED 10,000 (plus 3% asset transfer fee for plot-of-land companies); revised lease rates apply and previous discounts reversed; documents released 7 days after publication notice. [1] Multiple licences under one group: yes. [2]

Sources: [1] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/iznbpnw5/share-transfer-form.pdf) · [2] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/media/ojxipme4/license-amendments-form.pdf)

## Industry-specific regulation

Healthcare and education approvals: Medical & pharmaceutical trading is a licence category; pharmaceutical plants allowed per SAIF Environment & Health standards, which follow Ministry of Health standards. [1] Hazardous goods and environmental approvals: Industrial licences need SAIF ZONE Health & Environment Department clearance; Environment Impact Assessment covers water discharge, waste, chemicals and dangerous goods, foodstuff, pharmaceuticals, container inspection and industrial inspection; hazardous waste disposed via Bee'ah. [1]

Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/faq)

## Notes and history

- **Legal basis (2020-07-27):** SAIF Zone was established in 1995 and is run by the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority, which issues its licences. Sharjah Decree-Law No. 5 of 2020, announced on 27 July 2020, placed the zone under the Sharjah Seaports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, together with Sharjah Customs and Hamriyah Free Zone. [source](https://sheikhdrsultan.ae/Portal/en/media-center/activity/27/7/2020/%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B5%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%A3%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85-%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%A6%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A6.aspx) [source](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/about-us/)
- **Good to know:** SAIF Zone and the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority share one director, Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, and publish some results and events jointly, according to the zone's news releases. [source](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/media/news/sharjah-s-free-zones-mark-significant-achievements-in-2024-attracting-over-1-600-international-companies/)
- **Good to know (2020-06-30):** The warehouse package prices shown on the zone's website (AED 48,000 for 125 sq m up to AED 164,000 for 600 sq m) belong to business support packages that were valid from 1 April to 30 June 2020. The zone does not publish current package prices on its website. [source](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/landing-page/saif-business-support-packages/) [source](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/landing-page/sw-business-support-package/)
- **Good to know:** According to the zone's FAQ, all offices and warehouses are leased on long-term, renewable leases with rent paid yearly; facilities are not sold. Residence visas issued by the zone are valid for three years for investors and two years for employees. [source](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/faq)
- **Good to know (2023-02-26):** Since February 2023, SAIF Zone fees can be paid at Al Ansari Exchange branches across the UAE under an agreement announced by the zone. [source](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/media/news/saif-zone-partners-with-al-ansari-exchange-to-offer-new-payment-service-and-enhance-customer-experience/)
- **Good to know (2025-09-22):** The zone's Gold, Diamond and Commodities Park hosts more than 55 gold refineries and more than 250 companies in gold, platinum, silver and titanium manufacturing and trade, according to the zone's September 2025 news release. [source](https://www.saif-zone.com/en/media/news/saif-zone-showcases-gold-sector-eng/)

## FAQ

### How much does a SAIF Zone licence cost?

SAIF Zone publishes a licence fee from AED 7,500. Visa, office and registration costs are extra.

### Does SAIF Zone require a physical office?

The minimum facility SAIF Zone states is: dedicated office. Facility types offered: serviced office, private office, warehouse, land plot, staff accommodation.

### How long does SAIF Zone company setup take?

SAIF Zone states about 1 day for incorporation. Visas take extra time after the licence is issued.

### Is SAIF Zone a VAT Designated Zone?

SAIF Zone appears on the Federal Tax Authority's list of VAT Designated Zones. Often only some areas of a zone are designated; see the tax section and confirm with the zone.

### What is the minimum share capital in SAIF Zone?

SAIF Zone states a minimum share capital of AED 150,000.

## Compare with

- [SAIF Zone vs SHCC](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=saif-zone&z=shcc)
- [SAIF Zone vs SHAMS](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=saif-zone&z=shams)
- [SAIF Zone vs SPC Free Zone](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=saif-zone&z=spc)

Rules that apply to every zone: [corporate tax](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/qualifying-free-zone-person-corporate-tax.md), [VAT Designated Zones](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/vat-designated-zones.md), [mainland access](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/free-zone-vs-mainland.md)

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Information collected from free-zone authorities and UAE government sources on the dates shown. Fees and rules change; the zone's current schedule prevails. Not legal, tax or financial advice.
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Source: FreezoneGuide (https://freezoneguide.com/). AED, as published by each zone on its official channels. Information collected from free-zone authorities and UAE government sources on the dates shown. Fees and rules change; the zone's current schedule prevails. Not legal, tax or financial advice.