SAIF Zone is Sharjah’s largest and most established free zone, located adjacent to Sharjah International Airport. Here is a complete business guide to SAIF Zone in 2025.
SAIF Zone Overview
SAIF Zone was established in 1995 and hosts over 7,000 companies — one of the largest free zone communities in the UAE. Location: Sharjah International Airport (SHJ), approximately 20 km from central Sharjah and 30 km from central Dubai. SAIF Zone advantages: direct Sharjah Airport access (SHJ — a growing cargo and charter aviation hub), competitive warehouse and industrial lease rates versus Dubai, and a large established community of trading and logistics companies. SAIF Zone community: strong in trading, manufacturing, logistics, and light industry — less focused on professional services than DMCC or IFZA.
SAIF Zone Business Types
Most common SAIF Zone companies: trading companies (import, export, re-export), manufacturing and light industry, freight forwarding and logistics, food trading, and general commercial activities. Less common but permitted: professional services, IT services, and media/creative (available but Shams or DMC are more established for these). SAIF Zone is best for: companies that need warehouse space and proximity to Sharjah Airport for cargo operations, and companies that want a competitive-cost alternative to Dubai free zones with still-reasonable banking.
SAIF Zone Costs 2025
Annual licence fee: AED 8,000–15,000 (trading, professional). Warehouse units: AED 20–50/sqft/year (significantly cheaper than JAFZA or Dubai logistics zones). Executive offices: AED 40–80/sqft/year. Flexi-desk: AED 8,000–12,000/year (includes desk and visa allocation). Banking track record: good — Sharjah Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, and Mashreq have established SAIF Zone company relationships.