SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport International Free Zone) is one of the UAE’s most established and cost-effective free zones — adjacent to Sharjah International Airport and strategically positioned for UAE, GCC, and international trade. Here is a complete guide.
SAIF Zone Overview
SAIF Zone was established in 1995 and is managed by the Sharjah Airport Authority. With 7,000+ companies from 100+ countries, SAIF Zone is one of the most internationally diverse free zones in the UAE. Location: directly adjacent to Sharjah International Airport — a major cargo hub. Sharjah Airport is the busiest cargo airport in the Middle East by tonnage for certain product categories. Distance from Dubai: 20 km (30 minutes). Distance from Abu Dhabi: 150 km (1.5 hours).
SAIF Zone Licence Types and Costs
Trading Licence: Import, export, and general trading. Starting from AED 6,500/year (flexi desk). Industrial Licence: Manufacturing and production. Starting from AED 8,500/year. Service Licence: Professional and consulting services. Starting from AED 5,500/year. E-Commerce: Online retail with UAE registration. Package pricing available. Premium packages (with larger office or warehouse): SAIF Zone has 1 sqm to 25,000+ sqm warehouse and factory units available for lease at competitive rates.
SAIF Zone vs. Dubai Free Zones
SAIF Zone advantages over Dubai free zones: lower annual licence cost (AED 5,500–8,500 vs. AED 12,000–30,000 in DMCC, DIC), immediate airport access (faster cargo clearance), and abundant industrial space. SAIF Zone disadvantages: Sharjah address is less prestigious than Dubai for some clients, and bank account opening may be slightly harder than with JAFZA or DMCC.
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAIF Zone | Warehouse Business Support offer | AED 10,800-18,000 for packages starting with 3+ visa allocation. Important: AED 10,800 starting price includes 3 visa slots, not 1 — single-visa pricing not separately confirmed. Confidence: Indicative public price |
Quote-based renewal - confirm facility, licence and current offer terms Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on facility and renewal terms Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Visa allocation and immigration costs require confirmation | Published warehouse options begin at 125 sqm | Indicative public price | Official SAIF Zone warehouse support offer page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | July 2026 |
| What is included | The official offer page publishes warehouse support amounts for 125, 250, 400 and 600 sqm units and describes manufacturing, trading, assembly and logistics use. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Exact licence scope, visas, immigration, utilities, deposits, insurance, environmental approvals, fit-out and advisory support unless the current quotation includes them. |
| Hidden-cost risk | This is a facility-led offer page, not a general SAIF licence-only price. Confirm current availability, inclusions, payment plan and renewal before committing. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium |
| Best fit | Trading, aviation-linked logistics and Sharjah airport-oriented companies. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed July 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.