SAIF — Sharjah Airport Free Zone

Company Formation

Written by : Alexander Pokhozhaev Verified by : Elena Ovchinnikova

  • Company setup from

    10,800 AED

  • Registration from

    1 day

  • Bank account

    Guaranteed

  • Residence visas for

    2 years

December's Top 4 UAE FreeZone Deals

CEO, Emirabiz

Andrey Ovchinnikov

Discuss your unique case with our expert right now

Is SAIF suitable for your business?

Located next to Sharjah airport - easy logistics

Wide range of Industrial activities

Small office facilities available

Yes

  • if you are looking for an affordable business setup solution in the UAE or specifically in Sharjah, as SAIF’s prices are very reasonable.
  • if your business is related to manufacturing, trade, or logistics, as SAIF provides excellent logistical opportunities due to being located in close proximity to UAE’s significant seaports, Sharjah International Airport, and other airports.
  • if you prefer a free zone with highly-developed infrastructure, as SAIF offers a variety of fitted-out offices, warehouses, land plots, and other facilities.
  • if you’re looking for a free zone with a fast and efficient setup process, as company setup in SAIF takes only 1 day.

You can also consider an alternative solution such as a business setup in RAKEZ or Fujairah Free Zone, which have a lot to offer for industrial companies too.

No

  • if you intend to open a business in Dubai or require a remote company setup.
  • if your business revolves around non-industrial activities and does not require storage or logistical facilities. For such activities, we would recommend applying to Sharjah Media City or SHAMS Free Zone.

SAIF company formation process

Free zone company formation in SAIF can be done personally by company owners or assisted by a business consultant. The license is issued instantly on the day of application.

Expert

With us you can navigate this process quickly and effortlessly. You don`t even have to arrive in Dubai—the registration procedure can be completed remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical checkups, visa formalities, and account opening.

SAIF license costs

The best license offer at the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone currently is a Trading or Services license for AED 10,800. This package is eligible for 3 resident visas and has a flexi-desk as a part of the package. Visa and other immigration fees are paid separately, and a PO Box will cost an additional AED 1,000.

SAIF 1-year license package fees

TYPE OF LICENSECOST
SAIF Office package (3-visa standard license + flexi-desk)10,800 AED
SAIF Office package (3-visa Multi-Activity license + flexi-desk)21,150 AED
SAIF Suite package (8-visa standard license + 21 sqm office)28,650 AED
SAIF Suite package (8-visa Multi-Activity license + 21 sqm office)28,650 AED

Elena O.

We'll find the ideal free zone for your business

The additional costs apart from the license fees include:

  • SAIF Establishment Card
  • SAIF visa fees
  • Medical checkup
  • Emirates ID

Make it your way

SAIF licenses and business activities

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone has a very broad list of activities mainly related to industry, trading, and logistics, but it also includes some hard-to-get service activities, such as shipping and freight forwarding, jewelry manufacturing, and "investment of own funds".

The free zone allows having multiple activities in the license for your company formation in Sharjah, but if they are not related, additional fees will apply. Unfortunately, SAIF does not share its activity list, so the availability of all business activities needs to be checked.

Here is the categories of business licenses supported by SAIF and their descriptions.

Your license can belong only to one of these categories. If you want to mix them, an additional license will have to be purchased. In particular, E-commerce falls under the Commercial license. Activities also allow storage and consolidation of the products specified in your license, as well as manufacturing and assembling of your products.

Elena O.

We'll find activities for your business

SAIF facilities

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone is one of the very few free zones that offer ready-to-move facilities that are likely to suit any company considering business setup in Sharjah.

All office types come with high-class telecom/IT infrastructure, while the warehouses are equipped with fitted offices with air conditioning, a pantry, and a kitchen. Your investments into the fit-out of a warehouse will be minimal.

Apart from that, SAIF boasts the following facilities:

  • Staff accommodation premises
  • Jewelry Park
  • Container parking
  • Temporary warehouses

SAIF’s own Jewelry Park is a full-scale and field-oriented unit for jewelry production and exchange with a variety of reputable jewelry businesses. Also, despite being mainly industry-oriented, SAIF boasts numerous green spaces with great landscaping.

SAIF residence visas

Company formation in SAIF usually entails resident visa opening. The visa of the company owner is valid for 3 years, and the visa of an employee – for 2 years.

SAIF visa costs

 SAIF FEESMEDICAL CHECKUPEMIRATES ID
Owner/InvestorNormal (6-8 days) 3,840 AED
Urgent (3-4 days) 4,040 AED
755 AED390 AED
EmployeeNormal (6-8 days) 3,245 AED
Urgent (3-4 days) 3,440 AED
755 AED270 AED

Employee visas require a refundable deposit amounting to 1-month salary and an airplane ticket. Also, to receive a visa, you are obliged to have medical insurance which is not included in the visa cost.

In case you applied for a resident visa while being on a tourist visa inside the UAE or a canceled visa, a procedure of status change will apply. It costs AED 850 or AED 1010 on an urgent basis.

Complete UAE Residency Guide

Requirements, terms, and prices

download guide

SAIF company license renewal

License renewal at the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone can be executed without the company owners’ personal visit. It typically takes 1 day.

FeeCost
SAIF Service/Trading license renewal (second year)13,350 AED

Note that the price varies based on the type of license and the number of residency visas the company sponsors.

To renew your business license, contact your business setup consultant who will prepare an application with the required documents to the free zone authorities, sign the renewed lease agreement, pay the renewal fees, and wait for your license to be renewed. The documents include:

  • Original business license
  • PO Box renewal receipt
  • Audit report

SAIF company amendments and regulations

If you need to, you can make a company amendment at any time, and as many of them as you require. In SAIF, the implementation of amendments requires a resolution from shareholders or holders of the Power of Attorney.

ServiceCost
Changing a manager2,000 AED
Adding/removing the director2,000 AED
Shares transfer10,000 AED
Changing the financial year500 AED

Apart from the mentioned amendments, you can change the company name or its business activities, appoint or resign positions, etc.

SAIF company liquidation

At the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, company liquidation is a step-by-step process that requires a considerable number of documents to confirm that the company has no liabilities left. To complete the procedure, you will need to pay the liquidation fee, which includes the publication of a newspaper notice.

ServiceCost
SAIF company liquidation5,500 AED

The liquidation procedure will be the following

1. Provide the following mandatory documents:

  • Board resolution signed by the shareholders and stating the reason for the company liquidation
  • Deregistration documentation
  • Business license and all other company incorporation documents
  • Clearance letters from the SAIF Immigration Department and SAIF Facilities Management Department
  • Customs Clearance Letter
  • Auditor Liquidation Certificate
  • Audit report

2. Pay cancellation fees and settle other payments. Once this is done, the liquidation process is initiated.

3. All residence visas issued under the company need to be canceled as well.

4. Once the liquidation is complete, you will be notified and receive the corresponding documents.

The timeframe of the company liquidation process at SAIF is approximately 15-20 days. The corporate bank account needs to be closed as well. If the account has a balance, you will be refunded after the liquidation.

With us, you can navigate this process quickly and effortlessly. You don`t even have to arrive in Dubai — the liquidation procedure can be completed remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical checkups, visa formalities, and account opening.

With us you can navigate this process quickly and effortlessly. You don`t even have to arrive in Dubai—the liquidation procedure can be completed remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical checkups, visa formalities, and account opening.

About SAIF

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF) was formed in 1995 and presently hosts over 7,000 companies, including the most prestigious ones operating in the Middle East. It is situated right next to Sharjah International Airport, providing excellent connectivity for businesses and access to a vast customer base with over 2 billion people within a four-hour flight radius. SAIF’s pivotal role in the region's industrial sector is underscored by the fact that Sharjah accounts for approximately 34% of the UAE's industrial activity.

FAQs

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