General Trading in SAIF Zone
Import, export, re-export and wholesale of a broad range of goods under one licence
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- Free ZoneLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Visa supportVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- On requestRenewal cost
Why SAIF Zone
SAIF Zone combines Airport proximity with the flexibility to add activities and visas later, and that is why it suits both first-time company owners and established groups. GoldenKey has guided hundreds of entrepreneurs through SAIF Zone company formation, from name reservation to the moment the licence PDF lands in their inbox. Typical examples of this activity include electronics, building materials, FMCG, furniture and spare parts, which can usually sit together on one SAIF Zone licence. General Trading in SAIF Zone means import, export, re-export and wholesale of a broad range of goods under one licence, and it is licensed as a commercial activity.
Crucially, office options in SAIF Zone range from flexi-desk, office suite, warehouse, factory unit or land lease, so you only pay for the space your visa quota actually needs. In our experience, dedicated industrial zone with land plots for manufacturing. GoldenKey has licensed general trading in SAIF Zone for clients ranging from solo founders to groups opening a regional branch, so we know which sub-activities to list.
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
The figures below for general trading in SAIF Zone are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Pricing for general trading in SAIF Zone depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
Message us with your activity and visa count — we reply shortly with prices in writing.
Get my quoteExplore business activities in SAIF Zone
SAIF Zone licenses trading, service, professional and industrial activities. Search every activity we license across the UAE and see where it is available and what it costs.
Documents required
On the ground, for general trading in SAIF Zone the authority asks for the following paperwork, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- List of intended product categories
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zonesif applicable
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the countryif applicable
- Attested parent-company paperwork and a board resolution if the shareholder is a companyif applicable
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visaif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
How SAIF Zone works with GoldenKey
- 1
Consultation and activity selection
In the first call we check that SAIF Zone lists your activity, settle the licence type and match the visa package and office to what you actually need. Your portal shows the status of this step for general trading in SAIF Zone in real time.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name with the SAIF Zone authority and obtains initial approval, typically within one to two working days.
- 3
Document submission and payment
With the forms and memorandum signed, GoldenKey lodges the attested documents and settles the licence fee with the issuing authority on your behalf. Your portal shows the status of this step for general trading in SAIF Zone in real time.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Once the SAIF Zone licence and company paperwork are released, we move immediately to the immigration file, residence visas and the bank meeting.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about SAIF Zone. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsDo I need to visit the UAE to set up in SAIF Zone?
In practice, most SAIF Zone licences can be issued remotely with scanned supporting documents and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your residence visa is handled.
How many visas can I get with a SAIF Zone licence?
To be clear, visa quota is tied to the package and office you choose. SAIF Zone packages typically start from a zero-visa option and scale to five or more visas with a physical office, and additional visas can be added later for the per-visa fee shown in our pricing.
How long does the SAIF Zone licence take?
Crucially, once your documents are complete, the authority typically issues the licence within 5 working days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Which licence type covers general trading?
General Trading is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
What approvals does general trading need?
No special approval for standard goods; customs code required to physically import. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Ready to start your business in SAIF Zone?
In practice, if you would like a written quotation for general trading in SAIF Zone, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
More about SAIF Zone
Why the UAE
Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so general trading in SAIF Zone no longer requires a local partner. Put simply, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes general trading in SAIF Zone a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for general trading in SAIF Zone list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, ahead of payment anything. GoldenKey's consultants have handled general trading in SAIF Zone for traders, consultants, tech entrepreneurs and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. In our experience, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which documents each of them will ask for on a SAIF Zone file.
