Free Zone Comparison
FFZA vs SAIF Zone
Both target logistics operators and trading firms — but one sits next to an airport, the other next to a seaport. SAIF Zone starts at AED 13,100 with a flexi desk and 3-visa eligibility. FFZA starts at AED 21,500 for a virtual office with zero visas. That's AED 8,400 more at FFZA before you've applied for a single visa. Skip FFZA unless your supply chain runs through the Port of Fujairah.
FFZA
Fujairah
AED 21,500
Year 1 from
SAIF Zone
Sharjah
AED 13,100
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
SAIF Zone wins on cost and air logistics. FFZA only makes sense for east-coast port access.
- ● Choose SAIF Zone if cost is your priority — AED 8,400 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose FFZA if you need more visas — up to 10
- ● Choose SAIF Zone for overall quality — rated 4.1/5
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Both zones claim near-instant license issuance — SAIF within one hour, FFZA within roughly one hour — once documents and payment are finalised. Visas add 1-2 weeks at either zone. But SAIF offers four-instalment payment plans on some packages, easing Year 1 cash flow. FFZA doesn't publicise instalment options, and its commonly quoted AED 21,500 starter often includes a refundable AED 5,000 deposit that ties up working capital.
Scaling is where SAIF pulls further ahead. SAIF Zone's visa tiers are transparent: SAIF Office (3 visas), Executive Office (5), Suite (8). FFZA's visa costs are the real issue — AED 6,444 per visa versus SAIF's AED 4,370, a difference of AED 2,074 per person. Add a single visa to FFZA's flexi desk and Year 1 jumps to AED 37,349. Both zones match on banking with six partners each: Emirates NBD, Mashreq, FAB, RAKBANK, ADCB, and Wio Bank. That banking parity makes the cost gap even harder to justify — unless your goods move through Fujairah's Indian Ocean port.
FFZA vs SAIF Zone at a Glance
| Metric | FFZA | SAIF Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Fujairah | Sharjah |
| Year 1 From | AED 21,500 | AED 13,100 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 16,200 | AED 13,350 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 3.7/5 | ★ 4.1/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 10 🏆 | 8 |
| Processing Time | 10 days | 10 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 1987 | 1995 |
| Companies | 2,000+ | 8,000+ |
Year 1 From
FFZA
AED 21,500
SAIF Zone
AED 13,100
Renewal From
FFZA
AED 16,200
SAIF Zone
AED 13,350
Rating
FFZA
3.7/5
SAIF Zone
4.1/5
Max Visas
FFZA
10
SAIF Zone
8
Processing
FFZA
10 days
SAIF Zone
10 days
Banking
FFZA
Moderate
SAIF Zone
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
FFZA Packages
Fujairah · 4 packages
Virtual Office — No Visa
No visa · Virtual
AED 21,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 16,200/yr
Flexi Desk — 1 Visa
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 37,349
Year 1
Flexi Desk — 2 Visas (Modeled)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 44,993
Year 1
Warehouse License — 100 sqm + 4 Visas
Up to 4 visas · Warehouse
AED 115,101
Year 1
SAIF Zone Packages
Sharjah · 4 packages
SAIF Office (Flexi Desk) — No Visa
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 13,100
Year 1
Renewal: AED 13,350/yr
SAIF Office (Flexi Desk) — 1 Visa
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 18,670
Year 1
Renewal: AED 14,550/yr
SAIF Office (Flexi Desk) — 3 Visas
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 29,810
Year 1
Renewal: AED 16,950/yr
SAIF Suite (Private Office) — 8 Visas
Up to 8 visas · Private Office
AED 75,510
Year 1
Renewal: AED 22,950/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | FFZA | SAIF Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose FFZA if you...
- ✓ Want logistics & supply chain
- ✓ Want industrial & manufacturing
- ✓ Want maritime & port-linked businesses
- ✓ Want oil & gas services
- ✓ Want import/export trading
Choose SAIF Zone if you...
- ✓ Want import/export traders
- ✓ Want logistics & freight
- ✓ Want light manufacturing & assembly
- ✓ Want warehousing
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 8,400 less)
Pros & Cons
FFZA
Pros
- ✓ Published facility rents improve budgeting: Virtual Office from AED 12,000/year, Flexi Desk from AED 18,000/year
- ✓ Warehouse leasing from AED 230/sqm/year — competitive for industrial operators
- ✓ Strategic east-coast position near Port of Fujairah with Indian Ocean access for trade/logistics
- ✓ Fast licensing: FFZA markets license issuance within ~1 hour after documentation and payment
Cons
- ✗ Commonly quoted AED 21,500 starter often includes refundable deposits (~AED 5,000) affecting cash flow
- ✗ Visa onboarding includes multiple cost layers: FFZA fee + e-channel + medical + Emirates ID + insurance
- ✗ Renewals occur in January regardless of incorporation date — can create proration issues
- ✗ Distance from Dubai/Abu Dhabi adds operational friction for teams needing frequent in-person meetings
SAIF Zone
Pros
- ✓ Low entry pricing: standard SAIF Office package widely quoted at AED 10,800/year with flexi-desk and 3-visa eligibility
- ✓ Ultra-fast licensing: SAIF markets license issuance within 1 hour once documents and payments are finalized
- ✓ Clear facility-to-visa logic: SAIF Office (3 visas), Executive Office (5), Suite (8)
- ✓ Strategic logistics location adjacent to Sharjah International Airport and close to major ports
Cons
- ✗ Official pricing not consistently published on SAIF website — often obtained via quote or consultant
- ✗ Visa/immigration costs add up quickly: ~AED 4,370 per visa plus ~AED 1,200 insurance per person
- ✗ Activity list not openly published — availability must be checked with SAIF/agent
- ✗ Mainland UAE sales require a distributor/agent or mainland branch structure
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a single visa cost at FFZA versus SAIF Zone?
FFZA charges approximately AED 6,444 per visa plus AED 1,200 annual insurance. SAIF Zone charges approximately AED 4,370 per visa plus AED 1,200 insurance. SAIF saves you about AED 2,074 per person — meaningful when adding multiple visas.
When do FFZA renewals happen?
FFZA renewals occur in January regardless of when you incorporated. Your first renewal period may be shorter than 12 months, which affects Year 1 budgeting. SAIF Zone renewals follow your incorporation anniversary.
Does FFZA or SAIF Zone support warehouse operations?
Both do. SAIF Zone offers warehouses from AED 48,000/year for 125 sqm adjacent to Sharjah Airport. FFZA offers warehouse space from AED 230/sqm/year — approximately AED 28,750 for 125 sqm. FFZA is cheaper on raw warehouse cost, but SAIF's air-freight proximity adds operational value.
Can either zone offer dual licensing for mainland operations?
SAIF Zone offers dual licensing through Sharjah's framework, enabling both free zone and mainland operations. FFZA does not offer dual licensing — mainland trade requires a separate structure.
Which is cheaper, FFZA or SAIF Zone?
SAIF Zone is cheaper by AED 8,400 in Year 1. SAIF Zone starts from AED 13,100 while FFZA starts from AED 21,500. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between FFZA and SAIF Zone?
FFZA is based in Fujairah and is best for Logistics & Supply Chain, Industrial & Manufacturing, Maritime & Port-Linked Businesses. SAIF Zone is based in Sharjah and is best for Import/Export Traders, Logistics & Freight, Light Manufacturing & Assembly. FFZA starts from AED 21,500 while SAIF Zone starts from AED 13,100.
Which has easier banking, FFZA or SAIF Zone?
Both FFZA and SAIF Zone are rated "Moderate" for banking difficulty, meaning there is no significant difference in how easily you can open a corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with FFZA vs SAIF Zone?
FFZA supports up to 10 visas, while SAIF Zone supports up to 8 visas. FFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is FFZA or SAIF Zone better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose FFZA if you want logistics & supply chain focus and a Fujairah address. Choose SAIF Zone if you need import/export traders support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.