Sharjah · Sharjah Port & FZ Authority · Est. 1995
Located adjacent to Sharjah International Airport, SAIF Zone provides industrial, trading, and logistics setups. Entry packages start from AED 10,800 to AED 13,100, supporting up to 8 visa allocations with moderate corporate banking access. Facilities include 24/7 air cargo access, pre-built warehouses, and on-site customs clearance for trade and manufacturing SMEs.
Fees last checked · Licensing authority: Sharjah Port & FZ Authority. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.
From
AED 11,650
Year 1 (estimated)
Quick facts
SAIF Office (Flexi Desk) - No Visa
AED 13,100
— · Flexi Desk · 0 visas
Renews at AED 13,350
Estimated
SAIF Office (Flexi Desk) - 1 Visa
AED 18,670
— · Flexi Desk · 1 visa
Renews at AED 14,550
Estimated
SAIF Office (Flexi Desk) - 3 Visas
AED 29,810
— · Flexi Desk · 3 visas
Renews at AED 16,950
Estimated
SAIF Suite (Private Office) - 8 Visas
AED 75,510
— · Private Office · 8 visas
Renews at AED 22,950
Estimated
Advisory Estimate
AED 11,650
— · 0 visas
Renews at AED 8,500
Estimated
Visa renewal every 2-3 years
SAIF suits trading businesses. Confirm your exact activity is on the zone's list before you apply.
Comparing with a mainland licence? Trading & Services · Transport, Storage & Logistics
Features
Mainland trading
Dual licence allowed
Crypto-friendly
Shared ownership
Coworking available
Online portal
Audit required
Tax and compliance analysis
Substance
Medium
Audit risk
Moderate
Forensic ease
4/10
The Industrial Anchor; Designated Zone for Forensic Inventory Management.
SAIF Zone is one of the UAE’s most established industrial hubs. For 2026, the forensic challenge centers on 'Warehouse Substance.' As a Designated Zone, the FTA scrutinizes the physical movement of goods against VAT-suspension logs. To maintain 0% Corporate Tax, traders must prove that 'Core Income-Generating Activities' (CIGA)—such as inventory management and order fulfillment—are physically conducted within the SAIF perimeter and not outsourced to mainland third parties.
Oldest Sharjah jurisdiction with a strict focus on inventory movement. Article 18 QFZP status requires rigorous adherence to 'Distribution' protocols and a zero-tolerance approach to undocumented mainland retail leakage.
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Tax and compliance
SAIF tax status and QFZP rules →
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How much does it cost to set up in SAIF?
The cheapest published package for Sharjah Airport International Free Zone is Advisory Estimate at AED 11,650 for Year 1, renewing at AED 8,500. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.
Is banking easy to set up with a SAIF licence?
Banking difficulty for SAIF is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), ADCB, Wio Bank.
How many visas can I get with a SAIF licence, and what do they cost?
SAIF allows 5 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 8 visas (SAIF Suite (Private Office) - 8 Visas, AED 75,510 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 0. Visa renewal every 2-3 years
How much is the SAIF licence renewal each year?
Annual renewal runs from AED 8,000 to AED 14,000, depending on the package, office and visa count.
What is the minimum share capital in SAIF?
SAIF sets no minimum share capital for a standard company, though some activities and entity types carry their own requirement.
Do I need a physical office in SAIF?
The smallest office we hold for SAIF is 25 sq m.
Can a SAIF company trade on the UAE mainland?
Not directly. A SAIF company trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a separate mainland licence.