Sharjah International Airport Free Zone SAIF Zone — Complete Guide 2026
SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport International Free Zone) is one of UAE’s most established industrial free zones, offering manufacturing, warehousing, and trading licences adjacent to Sharjah International Airport. SAIF Zone is known for its affordability and proximity to multiple transport modes. This guide covers SAIF Zone for 2026.
SAIF Zone Overview
- Established: 1995; one of UAE’s older free zones
- Location: adjacent to Sharjah International Airport; 15 minutes from Dubai; 20 minutes from Sharjah city
- Scale: 8,000+ companies; significant manufacturing and logistics cluster
- Specialisation: manufacturing, logistics, import-export, industrial services; also trading and services licences
- Transport access: direct airport access (Sharjah Airport cargo facilities); close to Hamriyah Port; E11 highway to Dubai and UAE Northern Emirates
SAIF Zone Business Types
- Industrial/manufacturing: warehouses and factory units available for light to medium manufacturing; permitted industries include food processing, cosmetics, packaging, metal fabrication
- Trading: general trading licence; import-export; re-export; e-commerce
- Service: IT, consulting, professional services; flexi-desk options
- Air cargo and logistics: SAIF Zone is a natural location for companies needing Sharjah Airport air cargo access
SAIF Zone Pricing 2026
- Executive office (25 sqm): AED 10,500-15,000/year including desk
- Warehouse (250 sqm): AED 25,000-35,000/year (very competitive for warehouse space)
- Factory unit: AED 40,000-80,000/year depending on size and specification
- Company formation fee: AED 3,000-5,000
- Annual licence: AED 5,500-12,000 depending on activities
- Comparison: SAIF Zone is significantly cheaper than JAFZA or DAFZA for warehousing
SAIF Zone vs Other Sharjah Free Zones
- SAIF Zone: manufacturing, warehousing, logistics; best for companies needing physical infrastructure at low cost
- Shams (Sharjah Media City): media, content, publishing; no physical space needed; cheaper
- Hamriyah Free Zone: port access; heavy industry; larger format facilities
- Choose SAIF Zone when: need physical warehouse/factory at low cost near Dubai with airport access
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.