Beside Sharjah International Airport
The first free zone inside a UAE international airport — direct air connectivity, with seaports and Dubai road links close by.
SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport
Int'l Free Zone) Formation
Set up beside Sharjah International Airport in one of the UAE's oldest and largest free zones. Established in 1995, SAIF Zone pairs air-and-road connectivity with cost-efficient light industry, logistics, trading and warehousing.
- 100% Ownership
- Established 1995
- Airport-Adjacent
- Light Industry & Logistics
- 8,000+ Companies
An Airport Free Zone with a Long Track Record
The Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) was established in 1995 by the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority, adjacent to Sharjah International Airport. The world's first ISO 9001-certified free zone and the first within a UAE international airport, it is now one of the country's largest, home to around 8,000 companies from 165 countries.
The Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) was established in 1995 by the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority, immediately adjacent to Sharjah International Airport. It was the world's first ISO 9001-certified free zone and the first free zone located within an international airport in the UAE — and has grown into one of the country's oldest and largest, home to around 8,000 companies from 165 countries.
Its advantage is connectivity and value. Sitting beside the airport and close to Sharjah's seaports and the road links to Dubai, SAIF Zone is well placed for light manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, trading and aviation-linked businesses — with cost-efficient facilities and a long-established, well-run authority behind it. It offers 100% foreign ownership, profit repatriation and the standard free-zone framework, with warehouses, offices and land options to match the operation. Avyanco handles the licence, facility, banking, visas and tax end-to-end.
Airport-adjacent connectivity at a cost-efficient base
Why SAIF Zone
SAIF Zone competes on connectivity, track record and value. For light industry, logistics and trading, the airport adjacency and established ecosystem are the deciding factors.
A Long, Certified Track Record
Established in 1995 and the world's first ISO 9001-certified free zone — a mature, well-run authority with ~8,000 companies.
Light Industry & Warehousing
Warehouses, offices and land geared to light manufacturing, logistics and storage — not just desks.
Cost-Efficient Setup
Competitive licensing and facility costs make SAIF Zone one of the better-value bases in the Northern Emirates.
100% Foreign Ownership
Full foreign ownership of the company, with profit and capital repatriation — no local partner required.
UAE Free-Zone Tax Status
Free-zone status with eligibility for the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income.
Ideal for
- Light manufacturing and assembly
- Logistics, freight and warehousing
- Import / export and trading
- Aviation-linked and air-cargo businesses
- E-commerce and distribution
- Service and consultancy companies
SAIF Zone Licence Types
SAIF Zone licences cover trade, light industry and the services around them.
Commercial / Trading Licence
For import, export, re-export and general or specialised trading through the airport and nearby seaports.
- General & specialised trading
- Import / export & re-export
- E-commerce & distribution
- Stockholding & wholesale
- Air-cargo-linked trade
Industrial Licence
For light manufacturing, assembly and processing on the zone's units and land plots.
- Light manufacturing & assembly
- Processing & packaging
- Electronics & components
- Food & consumer goods
- Industrial production
Service Licence
For logistics, aviation-linked and professional services that support the zone.
- Logistics & freight forwarding
- Warehousing & 3PL
- Aviation & ground support
- Management & consultancy
- Technical & support services
Legal Structures Under SAIF Zone
SAIF Zone recognises the standard free-zone legal forms.
Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
A limited-liability entity with a single shareholder, individual or corporate — common for owner-run businesses.
Free Zone Company (FZC)
A limited-liability entity with two or more shareholders, for partnerships and joint ventures.
Branch of an Existing Company
A branch of an existing UAE or foreign company operating under the parent's identity.
How a SAIF Zone Company Is Formed
Six steps from activity to a licensed, connected operation.
- 01
Define Activity & Licence Type
Select the trading, industrial or service activities and the matching licence, and size the facility the operation needs.
- 02
Reserve Name & Initial Approval
Reserve the company name and secure the SAIF Zone Authority's initial approval.
- 03
Choose Facility
Select the office, warehouse or land option that matches the licence and the visa requirement.
- 04
Submit Documents & Sign
Submit incorporation documents and sign the constitutional documents.
- 05
Licence, Establishment Card & Customs
The licence and establishment card are issued, and customs registration is completed for import and export.
- 06
Bank Account & Visas
Open the corporate bank account and process residence visas with Emirates ID and medicals.
Documents Required for SAIF Zone Setup
The standard set, plus project detail for industrial activities.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors (valid at least 6 months)
- UAE residence visa copy for residents in the country
- Emirates ID for UAE residents
- Passport-sized photographs of shareholders
- Proposed company names and a description of activities
- Business plan for industrial and logistics activities
- For corporate shareholders: licence, constitutional documents, board resolution and UBO list
Why Choose SAIF Zone
SAIF Zone pairs airport connectivity and a long track record with free-zone ownership.
100% foreign ownership of the company
Full repatriation of profits and capital
Direct adjacency to Sharjah International Airport
One of the UAE's oldest and largest free zones
Warehouses, offices and land for light industry
0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income under the QFZP regime
Cost-efficient setup in the Northern Emirates
Close to seaports and Dubai road links
Tax & Compliance Position — SAIF Zone
SAIF Zone entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax and can qualify for the 0% QFZP rate. As a trading and light-industrial zone, the VAT and customs position matters.
UAE Corporate Tax
9% Headline · 0% QFZP on Qualifying Income
SAIF Zone entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax under Decree-Law 47/2022 — 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Most can elect the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) regime and pay 0% on Qualifying Income.
QFZP eligibilityQualifying activities include light manufacturing, logistics and qualifying trading/re-export; sales into the UAE mainland are treated differently. Eligibility needs adequate Free Zone substance, arm's-length transfer pricing and audited financials.
UAE VAT
5% Standard Rate · Designated-Zone Treatment May Apply
SAIF Zone entities follow UAE VAT — 5% on taxable supplies, AED 375,000 mandatory registration threshold. Exports are typically zero-rated while domestic sales are standard-rated.
Designated Zone status: verify with FTADesignated-Zone status for goods is set by Cabinet decision and can change; several trading and airport free zones hold it. We confirm the current status for SAIF Zone and map the VAT treatment to your goods flows.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Annual Corporate Tax return (9 months from FY-end)
- VAT returns per FTA assignment, with import/export flows correctly treated
- Audited financial statements (free zone requirement; mandatory for QFZP)
- Customs registration and per-shipment documentation
- Trade / industrial-licence renewal with the SAIF Zone Authority
- ESR notification + report where a Relevant Activity is carried on
- UBO register maintained and updated
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision 100/2023 (QFZP) · Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 (VAT) · Cabinet Decision 59/2017 (Designated Zones)
Sectors Active in SAIF Zone
SAIF Zone's tenant base is trade, light industry, logistics and services.
Trading & Re-Export
Light Manufacturing
Logistics & Freight
Aviation & Air Cargo
Warehousing & Storage
Electronics & Components
Food & Consumer Goods
Services & Consultancy
The Avyanco Advantage
Avyanco runs SAIF Zone setups end-to-end — matching the licence and facility to your operation and handling customs, banking, visas and tax.
Trade & Logistics Structuring
We structure the entity around your trading, light-industrial or logistics operation and the airport connectivity it relies on.
Customs & Facility Setup
Customs registration and the right warehouse, office or land option set up for import, export and re-export.
Trade Tax & VAT
QFZP assessment for light manufacturing and qualifying trading, plus VAT and Designated-Zone treatment mapped to your goods flows.
Corporate Bank Account
Introductions to UAE banks that onboard trading and industrial businesses, with the compliance file prepared.
Visas & Emirates ID
Investor, management and labour visas processed with Emirates ID and medicals.
Ongoing Compliance
Corporate Tax, VAT, customs, ESR and UBO obligations handled so the operation stays compliant.
Meet Our Specialists
Partner-level advisors covering every leg of a SAIF Zone setup — structuring, customs, tax and ongoing compliance.
Why Founders Choose Avyanco for SAIF Zone
Three things that come up in every SAIF Zone engagement once the licence is issued.
Connectivity Advantage
We help you make the most of airport, seaport and road connectivity for a trading or logistics operation.
End-to-End Delivery
Licence, facility, customs, bank, visas and tax — coordinated by one team.
Tax Done for Trade
QFZP, VAT and Designated-Zone treatment mapped for the way trading and light-industrial revenue arises.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
SAIF Zone suits trade, light industry and logistics with airport connectivity. Other zones serve different sectors — compare here.
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Dubai CommerCity
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Fujairah Free Zone (FFZ)
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Fujairah Creative City
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Read moreWhat Clients Say
A slice of recent feedback from founders who set up their UAE entities through Avyanco.
I had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleE
Eder Schaphauser Ziomek29 April 2026
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
Read more — Nikhil Nadanga's review on GoogleN
Nikhil Nadanga25 May 2026
I have been dealing with Akshta for more than a year now and she has been very professional.
Read more — Sherif Ayub's review on GoogleS
Sherif Ayub24 May 2026
In so far as the emigration process can ever be made easy, Avyanco achieves exactly this.
Read more — Sheru George's review on GoogleS
Sheru George12 May 2026
We are very satisfied with Avyanco's support for Nanasu Realty — especially across AML compliance, accounting, and company setup.
Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleP
Purushottam Mukkundi6 May 2026
I've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleD
Dominic Pinto11 May 2026
SAIF Zone — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up in the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone.
What is SAIF Zone?
SAIF Zone — the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone — is a free zone established in 1995 by the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority, adjacent to Sharjah International Airport. It was the world's first ISO 9001-certified free zone and the first free zone within a UAE international airport, and is now one of the country's oldest and largest, home to around 8,000 companies from 165 countries.
What is SAIF Zone best for?
It is well suited to light manufacturing, logistics and warehousing, trading and re-export, aviation-linked businesses and services. Its advantages are direct airport adjacency, proximity to seaports and Dubai, a long track record and cost-efficient facilities.
What facilities does SAIF Zone offer?
SAIF Zone offers offices, warehouses and land options to match different operations — from a desk or small office for a trading or service company to warehousing and land for light industry and logistics. We help select the facility that fits your licence and visa needs.
Does a SAIF Zone company qualify for the 0% Corporate Tax rate?
SAIF Zone is a UAE free zone for Corporate Tax. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person — which can include light manufacturing and qualifying trading — while mainland sales are treated differently and non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. We assess the position against your activity.
Is SAIF Zone a VAT Designated Zone?
Designated-Zone status for goods is set by Cabinet decision and can change, and several trading and airport free zones hold it. We confirm the current status for SAIF Zone and map the VAT treatment to your specific import/export flows rather than assuming it.
How does SAIF Zone compare to Hamriyah Free Zone?
Both are Sharjah free zones, but with different strengths: SAIF Zone is built around airport adjacency and light industry/logistics/trading, while Hamriyah Free Zone is built around a deep-water port and heavier industry such as oil & gas and maritime. We compare both against your operation and pick the better fit.
Verification & independence
Content verified against the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (saif-zone.com) and Wikipedia as of June 2026. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is independent of the SAIF Zone Authority, the Government of Sharjah and all UAE government authorities, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
Free zone regulations, Designated-Zone status, licence categories, VAT treatment and Corporate Tax Qualifying Free Zone Person eligibility evolve. Always confirm the current rules for your specific activity directly with the SAIF Zone Authority and the Federal Tax Authority before acting on any fact on this page.
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