Sharjah Airport International Free Zone offers some of the most attractive business incentives in the region, including speed of service and simplicity of operations. The extremely lengthy procedures and bureaucracy in the Middle East can be a serious barrier to potential investors, but Sharjah Airport International Free Zone has a 24-hour licensing service, enabling companies to operate in a shorter time frame than ever before. Its customer base is among the largest in the world gathered in one unified hub, with access to over 2 billion people within a four-hour flight and as one of the most dynamic regions in the UAE.

Sharjah International Airport Free Zone was established in 1995 to include distinguished commercial businesses in airports in different parts of the world and added a new concept in the world of trade and business, as the duty free market in Sharjah Airport provides tax exemptions for travelers and business owners, and provides distinguished services that support businesses and investors and provide many opportunities for communication and cooperation with others.

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority seeks to become a thriving business hub built on the economic growth of the United Arab Emirates, by providing a safe business environment for companies and encouraging them to build and conduct business in Sharjah. The tasks of Sharjah Airport International Free Zone include facilitating the mechanism of dealing and clarifying information and procedures for companies interested in operating in the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone and building a strong communication network to unify information related to companies’ business.

Sharjah Airport Free Zone offers many advantages that encourage investment and business, including:

• Possibility of transferring money to the home country without any restrictions
• Allow free foreign ownership
• Full exemption from corporate and individual taxes
• Full exemption from import and export duties
• Facilitating the process of establishing businesses in a rapidly growing infrastructure
• A distinctive and strategic location for businesses to facilitate access to various places and regions
• Lands of different sizes
• Nearby international exchange companies and banks
• Service and medical facilities such as restaurants and supermarkets including the duty free at Sharjah Airport
• Possibility of accommodation and customs services
• Accommodation for foreign workers
• International and local shipping services

Company Formation in Sharjah Airport International Free Zone

The advantages of the free zone are consistent with the interests of all companies operating in the trade and industry sector, in addition to the service sector, as these advantages are consistent with many of the distinguished services provided by foreign companies, including the possibility of employing anyone, taking into account immigration procedures. The following are the procedures for establishing companies in the Sharjah International Airport Free Zone:

• Choose the type of work license from the commercial license, service license, or industrial license, and its types include:
  • Free Zone Establishment
  • Free Zone Company
  • Branch of the company
  • Branch of a foreign company
• Choose what the facility is and which is divided into:
  • office
  • Stores
  • piece of land
  • Jewelry complex
  • Shipping container parking
  • Workers’ accommodation

How can you establish a company in the free zone?

Establishing companies in Dubai’s free zones is much easier than establishing a company inside Dubai, as it can be 100% owned by any nationality and does not require a partner or sponsor from the UAE citizens, as the company is registered as a free zone establishment or a company belonging to the free zone or a branch or representative office in the Dubai free zone. In this case, the main company can be outside the Emirates and it is not required to be inside the Emirates. Companies located inside the free zone are regulated by the authority responsible for the free zone, which issues any licenses for the company. This is done based on the location of the free zone and the activity it carries out. The type of license issued by the responsible authority varies according to the commercial activity. A company can be established in the free zone by following some steps, including:

• Choosing a company location
• Agree on the trade name, as it is the name that distinguishes one company from another.
• Obtaining the company’s business license.
• Obtaining initial approval to start work.
• Commercial license registration.
• Complete the requirements for the commercial license and obtain it.

Establishing a company in the free zone

The UAE is distinguished by having more than 40 free zones in addition to some areas that are being established. Therefore, establishing a company in the free zone is one of the difficult things facing the investor, as it is difficult to choose between many areas. Therefore, the company, through its extensive experience in business management, helps many investors in choosing the appropriate free zone for their commercial activity. It also helps in establishing and founding the company in the free zone in the shortest time and at the lowest costs.