Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority (SAIF Zone)
SAIF Zone is a Sharjah-based free zone with packages starting from AED 13,100, supporting up to 8 visa allocations, and moderate banking access. SAIF Zone is a Sharjah airport-adjacent free zone built for trading, logistics, and light industrial operators that want lower entry pricing than many Dubai zones. Conservative 2026 pricing starts around AED 10,800/year for a standard license with flexi-desk and up to 3-visa eligibility.
From
AED 13,100
Established
1995
Companies
8,000
Max Visas
8
Banking
Moderate
SAIF Zone Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAIF Office (Flexi Desk) — No Visa | AED 10,800 | 0 | Flexi Desk | AED 13,100 | AED 13,350 |
| SAIF Office (Flexi Desk) — 1 Visa | AED 10,800 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 18,670 | AED 14,550 |
| SAIF Office (Flexi Desk) — 3 Visas | AED 10,800 | 3 | Flexi Desk | AED 29,810 | AED 16,950 |
| SAIF Suite (Private Office) — 8 Visas | AED 28,650 | 8 | Private Office | AED 75,510 | AED 22,950 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- 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
- Warehouse options from AED 48,000/year for 125 sqm — scalable for industrial needs
- E-services portal for customer workflows and renewals
- Flexible payment plans available (4-installment options for some packages)
Watch out for
- 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
- Annual audit report typically required for renewal
Visa Information
Max Quota
8 visas
Processing Time
10 days
Renewal Cost
AED 4,370
Every 2–3 years
Dependent Visa
AED 0
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 4,370
Investor Visa
AED 4,965
Medical Standard
AED 450
Medical VIP
AED 850
Emirates ID Typing
AED 390
SAIF markets license issuance within 1 hour once documents are complete. Adding visas extends timeline to 1–2 weeks for entry permit, medical, and Emirates ID.
Banking
Partner Banks
Expect 2–6 weeks for SMEs. KYC/UBO checks, proof of business activity, and office lease evidence are key factors. Digital-first banks may be faster for low-risk profiles.
Features
Mainland Trading
Physical Office Required
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
Shared Ownership
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
Co-working Available
Audit Required
Share Capital Requirement
Unspecified — confirm with SAIF/agent
Easy Payment Plan
Special Ecosystems
Location
Recent Developments
- October 2025: Participated in Beautyworld Middle East 2025 to attract cosmetics/personal care investment
- October 2025: Took part in World Food India 2025 to promote food-sector investments
- September 2025: Japan's Grape Tree announced major expansion including new warehouse footprint
- July 2025: HFZA & SAIF Zone held ADNOC supplier onboarding workshop for energy supply chains
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a SAIF Zone license cost in 2026?
Conservative market pricing starts around AED 10,800/year for a standard trade or service license with flexi-desk and up to 3-visa eligibility. Visa processing is billed separately.
How many visas can I get in SAIF Zone?
Visa quota is tied to facility: SAIF Office (3 visas), Executive Office (5 visas), SAIF Suite (8 visas). Warehouses can allow more depending on size.
How much does a SAIF Zone visa cost per person?
A conservative all-in employee visa budget is about AED 4,370 per person before annual medical insurance (~AED 1,200). Investor visas may cost ~AED 4,965.
How fast is SAIF Zone company setup?
SAIF markets license issuance within 1 hour once documents are complete and payments finalized. Adding visas extends the timeline to roughly 1–2 weeks.
Is SAIF Zone good value for money?
SAIF Zone scores strongly on value-for-money for logistics/trading SMEs due to the AED 10,800 starting package and airport adjacency. The main cost driver is visa processing and insurance.
Can a SAIF Zone company trade in Dubai mainland?
Direct mainland selling typically requires a distributor/agent or mainland branch structure. SAIF Zone companies are primarily structured for free zone and international operations.
What is the SAIF Zone renewal cost?
Consultancy references cite renewal for a minimal SAIF license around AED 13,350 (package dependent). Add annual insurance per visa holder and any audit/compliance costs.
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Starting From
AED 13,100 /yr