Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) Complete Guide 2026
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) is one of the UAE’s most established free zones, located adjacent to Sharjah International Airport. Founded in 1995, SAIF Zone has over 8,000 companies from 163 nationalities, making it one of the most internationally diverse free zones in the UAE. This guide covers SAIF Zone’s offer, costs, and suitability in 2026.
SAIF Zone at a Glance
- Location: adjacent to Sharjah International Airport
- Year established: 1995
- Companies registered: 8,000+
- Nationalities: 163+
- Activities: trading, services, industrial, light manufacturing
- Minimum share capital: AED 0 (no minimum for FZE/FZCO)
SAIF Zone Licence Types and Costs 2026
- Service licence: AED 8,900–12,000/year (professional activities)
- Trading licence: AED 9,900–15,000/year
- Industrial licence: AED 12,000–20,000/year (light manufacturing)
- e-Commerce licence: AED 9,900–14,000/year
- Freelancer permit: AED 5,500–8,000/year
SAIF Zone Office Options
- Business centre desk (flexi-desk): AED 4,000–7,000/year additional
- Executive office (private): AED 12,000–30,000/year additional
- Warehouse (250–3,000 sqm): AED 40–65/sqft/year
- Land lease (industrial): AED 30–45/sqft/year
SAIF Zone Visa Allocation
- Flexi-desk package: 2–3 visas
- Private office: 3–6 visas
- Warehouse units: based on warehouse size (1 visa per 9 sqm)
Who Should Choose SAIF Zone?
SAIF Zone is a strong choice for: small trading companies wanting Sharjah base with airport proximity; air cargo businesses and freight forwarders (direct access to Sharjah cargo terminal); light manufacturers needing affordable warehouse space; and companies looking for a Sharjah option at lower cost than Dubai free zones. SAIF Zone’s cost structure is typically 15–30% cheaper than comparable Dubai free zones for similar space packages.
SAIF Zone vs RAKEZ vs IFZA Comparison
- SAIF Zone: Sharjah airport location, established ecosystem, good for air cargo-linked businesses
- RAKEZ: Ras Al Khaimah, cheapest industrial space, flexible licensing, good for manufacturing
- IFZA: Dubai, fastest setup, lowest all-in cost for services companies, no physical space requirement
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.