Free Zone Comparison
SAIF Zone vs AFZ
Ajman Free Zone at AED 5,555 undercuts SAIF Zone's AED 13,100 by more than half. But SAIF Zone sits at Sharjah Airport with direct air freight access — and if you're a trader who ships product, that logistics advantage can pay for itself.
SAIF Zone
Sharjah
AED 13,100
Year 1 from
AFZ
Ajman
AED 5,555
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
- ● Choose AFZ if cost is your priority — AED 7,545 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose AFZ for faster setup — 4 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Ajman Free Zone at AED 5,555 undercuts SAIF Zone's AED 13,100 by more than half — the kind of gap that demands justification. SAIF Zone's answer: airport-adjacent logistics infrastructure with warehouses from AED 48,000/year and license issuance within one hour. If you ship goods through Sharjah Airport, that logistics access is worth the premium.
For everyone else, Ajman's numbers are compelling. Visas process in 4 days versus SAIF Zone's 10. Ajman covers 3,500+ activities versus SAIF Zone's broader logistics focus. Ajman doesn't require annual audits; SAIF Zone does — saving AED 3,000-10,000 per year. Ajman lists five banking partners; SAIF Zone lists six. SAIF Zone offers dual licensing through Sharjah's framework; Ajman does not. SAIF Zone scales to 8 visas with the Suite package; Ajman matches with 8 through its Physical Office Package. For import-export traders with warehouse needs, SAIF Zone delivers logistics infrastructure Ajman lacks. For service businesses, consultants, and e-commerce operators, Ajman's lower cost and faster processing win.
SAIF Zone vs AFZ at a Glance
| Metric | SAIF Zone | AFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | Ajman |
| Year 1 From | AED 13,100 | AED 5,555 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 13,350 | AED 5,555 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 4.1/5 | ★ 4.1/5 |
| Max Visas | 8 | 8 |
| Processing Time | 10 days | 4 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 1995 | 1988 |
| Companies | 8,000+ | 25,000+ |
Year 1 From
SAIF Zone
AED 13,100
AFZ
AED 5,555
Renewal From
SAIF Zone
AED 13,350
AFZ
AED 5,555
Rating
SAIF Zone
4.1/5
AFZ
4.1/5
Max Visas
SAIF Zone
8
AFZ
8
Processing
SAIF Zone
10 days
AFZ
4 days
Banking
SAIF Zone
Moderate
AFZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
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
AFZ Packages
Ajman · 4 packages
Kickstarter (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,555
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,555/yr
1 Visa Package (Trading/Service)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 13,451
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,851/yr
2 Visa Package (Trading/Service)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 21,852
Year 1
Renewal: AED 14,652/yr
Physical Office Package (3 Visas)
Up to 3 visas · Private Office
AED 30,710
Year 1
Renewal: AED 19,910/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SAIF Zone | AFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Not Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose SAIF Zone if you...
- ✓ Want import/export traders
- ✓ Want logistics & freight
- ✓ Want light manufacturing & assembly
- ✓ Want warehousing
- ✓ Want smes
Choose AFZ if you...
- ✓ Want budget startups
- ✓ Want trading
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want warehousing
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 7,545 less)
Pros & Cons
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
AFZ
Pros
- ✓ Among the UAE's cheapest free zone options — 0-visa starter licenses from AED 5,555
- ✓ Huge activity catalog with over 3,500 business activities
- ✓ Digital-first: fully digitized setup and customer portal
- ✓ All-inclusive packages covering license, lease, establishment card, visa, medical, and Emirates ID
Cons
- ✗ Visa quotas depend on business package and facility — cheapest options limit hiring flexibility
- ✗ Refundable deposits can affect cash flow: AED 20,000 office guarantee and AED 3,000 per person in some cases
- ✗ Medical reports accepted only from Al Hamidiya Health Center in Ajman
- ✗ Bank accounts facilitated but not guaranteed — standard vetting and compliance checks apply
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SAIF Zone or AFZ?
AFZ is cheaper by AED 7,545 in Year 1. AFZ starts from AED 5,555 while SAIF Zone starts from AED 13,100. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between SAIF Zone and AFZ?
SAIF Zone is based in Sharjah and is best for Import/Export Traders, Logistics & Freight, Light Manufacturing & Assembly. AFZ is based in Ajman and is best for Budget Startups, Trading, E-commerce. SAIF Zone starts from AED 13,100 while AFZ starts from AED 5,555.
Which has easier banking, SAIF Zone or AFZ?
Both SAIF Zone and AFZ 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 SAIF Zone vs AFZ?
SAIF Zone supports up to 8 visas, while AFZ supports up to 8 visas. Both offer the same maximum visa quota.
Is SAIF Zone or AFZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose SAIF Zone if you want import/export traders focus and a Sharjah address. Choose AFZ if you need budget startups support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.