The Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) was established in 1995 as UAE’s leading business destination. Located in the Northern part of the United Arab Emirates, Sharjah is the third largest Emirate in the country after Abu Dhabi and Dubai. SAIF Zone is a commercial hub that provides access to billions of consumers across the GCC, Indian sub-continent, CIS countries, the Mediterranean and parts of Africa. As country’s industrial powerhouse, SAIF Zone facilitates over 2,900 businesses from 91 countries. The Zone is an ideal hub for all kinds of corporations which require quick, efficient and unproblematic working environment.
SAIF Zone is the foundation of the Sharjah government’s commitment to free trade.
Firms established under the SAIF Zone include some of the significant names in the field of media, consumer durables, light to medium manufacturing, IT services, and a multitude of other companies.
A SAIF company can be registered as any of the following:
FZ-LLC
- Natural Individual
- Corporate Entity
- Natural and Corporate Individual(s)
FZCO
- 1-50 shareholders
- Minimum share capital requirement for each shareholder: AED 1,000 (USD 273)
- Value of each share: AED 1,000 (USD 273)
Branch of a UAE company
Branch of a Foreign company
- Registered outside the UAE
Advantages of SAIF company formation
There are several benefits in setting up an International Free Zone in Sharjah:
- 100% foreign ownership – Emirati partner is not required
- 100% ownership of the company
- Personal income tax exemption
- Import and export duties are exempted
- Low-cost labour
- Exemption from other taxes
- Easy transfer of profits and capital
- Sponsorship and Visa for all the employees
- Well-rounded infrastructure
- Regional and worldwide communications with exceptional land, air and sea transport links
- Leasing prices are competitive
- No auditing required
- No foreign currency restrictions
- Strategic location
- Hiring foreign employees and economic wage structure are not restricted
- Modern facilities including warehouse, office, and land availability
- Operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Steps for setting up a SAIF Zone company
The SAIF Zone offers the shortest lead time, providing all requisite permits and licenses within 24 hours of submitting the required documents.
- Commercial Department – Submit the completed documents
- Licensing, Leasing and Legal Affairs – Receive license, keys to warehouse/office and lease agreement
- Investor and Client Services Department
Receive ID cards, visas and so on
