Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) is an important special economic zone in the Emirate of Sharjah. It is adjacent to Sharjah International Airport, only a few minutes' drive from Sharjah City, Dubai and the main Arabian Gulf ports in the UAE, and only a 40-minute drive from Khorfakkan Port on the Indian Ocean. It focuses on attracting logistics, trade and manufacturing companies. It provides support for various companies by providing offices, warehouses, fast freight channels and seaports. SAIF Zone is a multi-functional free zone that provides a wide range of opportunities for various industries, including manufacturing, trade, services and technology. SAIF Zone has attracted more than 8,500 companies from 160 countries, becoming the world's first ISO9001 certified airport free trade zone and the only tree-lined industrial zone in the UAE. These advantages make SAIF Zone an ideal choice for all kinds of companies that require a fast, efficient and worry-free working environment.

Table of Contents

SAIF Company Registration Advantages SAIF Main Functions and Facilities SAIF is suitable for the following types of companies: Licenses that SAIF can issue SAIF Company Registration Process Subsequent matters of SAIF company registration

SAIF Company Registration Advantages

1. Foreign ownership: Foreign investors can obtain 100% foreign ownership by establishing a company in the SAIF Free Trade Zone.

2. Geographical advantages: SAIF has flexible access to the ports of the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, and a highway network connects airports, seaports and UAE cities.

3. Community characteristics: Companies established in the SAIF Free Trade Zone can extend their lease period to 25 years, provide airport customs clearance services, have banks and currency exchange offices, and immigration and customs offices.

4. Tax burden advantages: Companies registered in the SAIF Free Trade Zone are exempt from tax burdens, including income tax, export tax and import tax.

SAIF Main Functions and Facilities

Free zones offer a variety of facilities, including fully furnished executive suites, pre-built warehouses, leased land, container parking areas and temporary storage space. These facilities can meet the needs of manufacturing, assembly, packaging, import, re-export, trade and value-added services. In addition, free zones also provide tailor-made business facilities, well-connected road, air and sea transportation networks, telecommunications, IT, medical clinics and pharmacy services, immigration and customs services, employee park accommodation and catering services, etc.

SAIF is suitable for the following types of companies:

1. International trade enterprises: SAIF, as a major hub for international trade, has attracted a large number of international enterprises to settle in. Enterprises can take advantage of its geographical location to quickly connect to the global market and conduct import and export trade.

2. Logistics and warehousing enterprises: SAIF provides more than 2,000 modern warehouses that can meet various logistics and warehousing needs. Many companies choose to set up regional headquarters or distribution centers here to take advantage of its efficient logistics services.

3. High-tech enterprises: SAIF, as an important base for scientific and technological innovation, has attracted many high-tech enterprises to settle in. The government has provided a number of support policies to encourage scientific and technological innovation and R&D activities.

Licenses that SAIF can issue

Sharjah Airport Free Zone (SAIF) can help customers set up a business within 1 hour through a single window working method and an efficient service team. SAIF issues commercial, general trade, industrial and service licenses.

SAIF Company Registration Process

1. Submit the application form: First, you need to fill in and submit the Sharjah Free Zone company registration application form. This form should contain the company's basic information, shareholder and director information, business scope and registered capital.

2. Submit the required documents: In addition to the application form, you need to submit a series of supporting documents, such as passport copies of shareholders and directors, address proof, bank credit certificate, company articles, etc. All these documents need to be certified by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3. Preliminary review: The relevant departments of the Sharjah Free Zone will conduct a preliminary review of the submitted application forms and documents to check whether the application is complete, compliant, and in compliance with the policies and regulations of the Free Zone. If problems are found or additional information is required, the applicant will be notified to make modifications or supplements.

4. Obtain approval: If the application passes the preliminary review, it will enter the final approval stage. Once approved, the Free Zone will issue a company registration certificate and relevant licenses to allow the company to conduct business in the Free Zone.

Subsequent matters of SAIF company registration

1. Lease an office space: Lease a suitable office space in the Sharjah Free Trade Zone as the company's registered address. The office space must meet the requirements of the free trade zone and sign a lease contract.

2. Open a bank account: Choose a local bank or an international bank branch in Dubai to open a company bank account for capital transactions and business operations.

3. Apply for tax registration: Although companies in the Sharjah Free Trade Zone usually enjoy tax incentives, they still need to register for tax with the UAE tax department to ensure compliance.

4. Apply for employee visas: If the company needs to recruit employees, it needs to apply for employee residence visas from the relevant departments based on the office area and number of employees.