The Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF ZONE) is a busy business area that opened in 1995. It is only 15 kilometers from Sharjah Port and next to Sharjah International Airport. SAIF ZONE is one of the UAE’s oldest and most well-connected free zones. It is home to more than 14,000 businesses from more than 170 countries. It is a strategic base for both small and medium-sized businesses and large multinational corporations. Information technology, manufacturing, logistics, and trading are some of the most important industries in the zone.
This means that 100% of the businesses can be owned by foreigners, all profits and capital can be sent back to their home countries, and there are no corporate or personal income taxes. Its modern infrastructure includes offices that are ready to use, land plots that can be customized, and warehouses that are 300 to 1,200 square meters in size. The SAIF Connect digital platform makes business operations even better by providing easy-to-use digital services and support.
In 2023, SAIF ZONE helped with AED 120 billion in trade, created more than 50,000 jobs, and added about 15% to Sharjah’s GDP. SAIF ZONE is an important gateway for international trade because it has strong logistical support and access to more than 160 global destinations. In line with H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi’s forward-thinking vision, the free zone keeps changing by offering low-cost licenses, specialized SME clusters, and initiatives that focus on sustainability. This makes it a popular place for investors from around the world.
A single license for many activities.
Offices of different sizes that are ready to move into or can be customized.
A lot of warehouses, industrial plots, and offices.
Access to RAK Port and being close to Dubai.
SAIF Zone offers a flexible licensing ecosystem — whether you’re importing goods, manufacturing at scale, or offering niche services, your license aligns with your business needs.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the company setup process in the UAE.
Follow these six essential steps to get your business up and running smoothly.
Step 4
Helping entrepreneurs build and grow in the UAE with complete support, expert guidance, and reliable partnerships.
We help you choose a setup that supports future expansion—across the UAE and beyond.
Stay worry-free with ongoing guidance on tax, renewals, and local regulations.
No paperwork stress—we handle all approvals, licensing, and formalities on your behalf.
Get assistance with investor, partner, and employee visas—without the delays.
Leverage our strong relationships to connect with suppliers, partners, and consultants.
Get expert input on scaling, restructuring, or entering new markets as your business grows.
Free Zones in UAE offer various options for company formation, depending on the requirement and structure of ownership. The main types are:
Manage all your social channels, ensure customer supremacy engagement, track your performance and more—all from a single platform
SAIF ZONE is open to businesses of all sizes in the trading, services, and industrial sectors. A company can set up shop in the zone whether it is a startup, a small or medium-sized business, or a large multinational.
Companies that do business in SAIF ZONE get licenses the same day, can operate for one hour, have leases that can be renewed for 25 years, and are 100% foreign-owned. They also don’t have to pay corporate or personal income taxes, which makes it one of the most investor-friendly zones in the UAE.
SAIF ZONE has modern infrastructure, like ready-to-use prefabricated offices and warehouses, container parking spaces, and an administrative setup that makes it easy to get all government services in one place.
As long as all immigration and labor rules are followed according to UAE law, there are no restrictions on who can work in SAIF ZONE based on nationality.
No, shareholders can choose to have a RAKEZ visa or a visa from another country, depending on what they want.
No, you don’t need a local partner or sponsor. SAIF ZONE lets foreigners own 100% of a business, which gives them full control over it.
No, businesses in the Free Zone can only do business in the RAKEZ Free Zone and are not allowed to do business outside of it.
Yes, business owners and employees can bring their families as long as they get valid UAE residency visas through the right immigration channels.
The RAKEZ Companies Regulations (2017) and Operating Rules (2018), as well as UAE federal and local laws, apply to Free Zone entities. In addition to other rules, businesses that are not in a Free Zone must follow UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 on Commercial Companies.
Yes, businesses can easily bring their profits and capital back home because there are no limits on foreign exchange or fund transfers from SAIF ZONE.
It’s easy to market goods in the UAE, and there are a lot of ways to do it, both online and offline. You can go to trade shows in Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, as well as use other digital and offline marketing channels.
Yes, SAIF ZONE helps businesses grow by providing cheap staffing options. The zone’s support services make it easy for businesses to hire more workers, like technicians, labourers, and office assistants.
Yes, most companies in the SAIF Zone must submit audited financial statements to comply with UAE VAT laws and free zone reporting rules. These are typically required for license renewal. Submission deadlines vary, but timely compliance is essential to avoid fines or license issues.
BYB (Build Your Business) is a specialized firm focused on building the foundation for businesses to operate globally. We provide clear guidance and practical support to individuals and companies on how to properly establish their business, follow all rules, and design its structure to begin work in different countries. Our deep knowledge includes how to stay compliant in various nations, selecting the best legal setup, and making smart choices about local business environments. We help get registrations, explain tax requirements, and put in place the basic systems for running an office. BYB is an essential partner for those starting international businesses, making sure they have a solid and rule-abiding base from the very beginning.
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