Set up your UAE business in a strategically located free zone with flexible licensing, modern facilities and access to global markets. Shuraa makes company formation simpler, from choosing your licence to completing registration.
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Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) is one of the UAE's oldest and best-known free zones. Established in 1995 right beside Sharjah International Airport, it gives traders, manufacturers, logistics firms and service providers a ready-made base with 100% foreign ownership, duty-free movement of goods inside the zone and quick access to the UAE's major ports. For many founders, business setup in SAIF Zone is the practical middle ground: a strong location at a lower cost than most Dubai free zones.
Shuraa Business Setup has helped entrepreneurs start companies across the UAE since 2001. For SAIF Zone company formation, our team manages everything from choosing the right licence and preparing documents to visas, Emirates ID and bank account support, so you can focus on launching your business.
If you move goods, make products or sell services across borders, the zone's location and setup do a lot of the heavy lifting for you.
Your office or warehouse sits next to Sharjah International Airport, so air cargo reaches your customers faster.
Port Khalid, Al Hamriyah Port and Khor Fakkan Port are within reach, which makes sea and sea-air shipping simple.
Own and control your company outright, with no local sponsor or partner required.
Send your capital and profits back home without restrictions.
Store and move goods within the free zone without paying customs duty, with an on-site customs centre to speed up clearance.
SAIF Zone is generally more affordable than comparable Dubai free zones, which suits startups and SMEs.
Choose from ready-built warehouses, offices and land plots that can grow with your business.
A single-window process and fast issuance help you start operating sooner.
SAIF Zone supports a wide mix of industries. These are the most popular ones among Shuraa clients and the zone's community.
Import, export, re-export and distribution of goods, from electronics and garments to building materials, with storage right next to the airport.
Freight forwarding, warehousing and cargo services benefit most from the airport and port connections.
Assembly, processing and packaging units can run from industrial warehouses inside the zone.
Online sellers and IT companies get a low-cost licence, flexible workspace and quick access to shipping.
Agencies and content businesses can operate from a flexible, affordable base in Sharjah.
Consultants and service providers across fields such as IT, marketing and engineering can set up with minimal overheads.
Note: Each activity must be approved by SAIF Zone, and some regulated activities need extra approvals. Our consultants confirm this before you apply.
Your licence must cover the activities your company intends to carry out. SAIF Zone's published categories include the following main options.
A trade licence is intended for approved trading activities, such as importing, exporting, distributing, consolidating, storing or warehousing goods. The permitted product scope and activity combinations must be confirmed with the authority.
A service licence covers approved service-based activities specified on the licence. It may suit businesses offering consultancy, IT services, shipping and freight forwarding, e-commerce services and other permitted professional or commercial services.
An industrial licence is designed for activities involving manufacturing, processing, assembly, packaging and related production operations. Depending on the activity, additional environmental, health or other regulatory clearances may be required.
The exact activity descriptions permitted combinations and approval requirements should be confirmed before applying. Not every activity is automatically available under every licence category.
Every SAIF Zone licence comes with a physical workspace, and you can scale up as you grow. Options include:
Flexi-desks and offices for service and trading companies that need a compact, low-cost base
Executive offices and suites for growing teams
Warehouses in multiple sizes, which can be combined for larger operations
Plots of land for companies building their own facilities
Temporary storage and container parking for cargo-heavy businesses
Labour accommodation for industrial and warehouse staff
The documents required for SAIF Zone company formation depend on your legal structure, shareholder type and proposed activity. The authority may request additional documents during its review.
The final checklist should be confirmed with SAIF Zone based on your application. Foreign-issued documents may require attestation, legalisation or other formalities.
Setting up in the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone is straightforward when you know the steps. Here is how Shuraa takes you from idea to launch.
Tell us about your business model, planned activities, ownership structure and expected visa requirements. We help identify a suitable setup route.
Choose the licence category that covers your intended operations. We help you confirm the activity requirements and identify any additional approvals that may apply.
Determine whether an FZE, FZC or branch structure best suits your ownership and business plans.
Choose an office, warehouse or industrial plot based on your operational needs, budget and applicable visa quota.
Prepare and submit the application and supporting documents through the relevant process. Our team helps coordinate paperwork and address document-related requirements.
Once the application is approved and the applicable fees are paid, the authority issues the relevant company registration and licensing documents.
Complete any remaining operational requirements, including banking, tax registrations and accounting arrangements, as applicable to your business.
The overall timeline depends on the activity, completeness of the documents, facility selection and required approvals. SAIF Zone advertises a streamlined licensing service, but the full company setup process should not be assumed to take the same amount of time for every applicant.
Business setup in SAIF Zone starts from approximately AED 14,999*. The final SAIF zone license cost depends on how your company is set up, not just the licence itself.
Your total business setup budget may include:
Licence and registration fees: Charges associated with registering the company and obtaining the relevant licence.
Facility or lease fees: The cost of your selected office, warehouse or other premises.
Visa and immigration charges: Applicable fees for investor and employee visas, including associated processing requirements.
Additional approvals: Costs that may apply to regulated or specialised activities.
Administrative and service fees: Charges for applicable establishment documents, government services or professional assistance.
Annual renewal costs: Licence renewal and facility-related charges, along with other recurring compliance expenses.
At Shuraa, we help you understand the costs involved in SAIF Zone company formation and identify a setup option aligned with your requirements.
Free zone does not mean zero obligations. Plan for these from day one:
Personal income tax: The UAE does not charge personal income tax on business profits you take as an owner.
Corporate tax: Every free zone company must register for UAE corporate tax. Qualifying free zone businesses can benefit from 0% on qualifying income, while other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
VAT: VAT at 5% may apply to your sales. Registration becomes mandatory above the annual turnover threshold, and designated-zone rules can affect goods movement.
Audit and records: An audited financial report is needed from your second licence renewal, so keep clean books from the start.
Our colleagues at Shuraa Tax can handle registration, bookkeeping and filings alongside your company setup.
SAIF Zone company formation and trade licence
Licence activity selection and approvals
Investor, employee and family visa processing
Medical tests and Emirates ID
Office, flexi-desk and warehouse arrangements
PRO services and annual licence renewals
VAT, corporate tax and accounting support
26+ years of experience: Helping entrepreneurs set up in the UAE since 2001.
26+ years of experience: Helping entrepreneurs set up in the UAE since 2001.
Free expert consultation: Clear advice on licences, activities and costs before you commit.
Transparent pricing: Detailed, upfront cost breakdowns with no surprises.
Transparent pricing: Detailed, upfront cost breakdowns with no surprises.
Dedicated team: Consultants, legal experts and PRO executives working on your file.
End-to-end support: From licence to visas, bank account, tax and renewals.
End-to-end support: From licence to visas, bank account, tax and renewals.
Personalised guidance: A setup shaped around your business, not a one-size-fits-all package.
Shuraa Business Setup is the highest-rated business setup consultancy in the UAE, providing expert guidance and comprehensive service to help entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses seamlessly.
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SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport International Free Zone) is a free zone next to Sharjah International Airport, established in 1995. It offers 100% foreign ownership, duty-free movement of goods inside the zone, warehouse space and access to air and sea transport, at costs that are generally lower than Dubai free zones.
The licence can be issued within days once your documents are complete. Including visas and a bank account, most setups with Shuraa take around 2 to 4 weeks.
No. SAIF Zone allows 100% foreign ownership, so you can own and run your company without a UAE sponsor.
Free zone companies must register for UAE corporate tax. Qualifying free zone businesses may benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income, while other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000. Shuraa Tax can assess your position.
One conversation is all it takes. Connect with our experts for personalised advice on business setup and company formation in Dubai or across the UAE.
