WhatsApp quoteSAIF Zone combines Airport proximity with the flexibility to add activities and visas later, which is why it suits both first-time founders and established groups. In our experience, setting up a company in SAIF Zone gives you 100% ownership, a UAE trade licence and the option to sponsor residence visas for yourself and your family. From day one, the most common businesses Portuguese nationals open through GoldenKey are in technology, hospitality, engineering and renewable energy, although SAIF Zone supports almost any activity. Crucially, portuguese nationals are a smaller community active in engineering, hospitality and technology, so the SAIF Zone authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Portuguese applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why SAIF Zone
Popular activities in SAIF Zone include manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, import/export and industrial, and most of them can be combined on a single licence. To be clear, unlike some zones, SAIF Zone does not require a large paid-up capital to be blocked in a bank account before the licence is issued.
How SAIF Zone works with GoldenKey
Step 1Consultation and activity selection
We confirm that your activity is available in SAIF Zone, choose the licence type and agree the visa package and office option that match your plan. If the authority raises a query on opening a manufacturing company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 2Name reservation and initial approval
We submit your preferred trade names to SAIF Zone and secure initial approval, normally within a day or two of submission.
Step 3Document submission and payment
With the forms and memorandum signed, GoldenKey lodges the attested documents and settles the licence fee with the registrar on your behalf. Nothing is submitted for opening a manufacturing company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 4Licence issued and next steps
SAIF Zone issues the licence, incorporation certificate and lease; from there we open the establishment card, process visas and arrange your bank introduction.
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening a manufacturing company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder.
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A bank statement from your Portugal bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A passport issued by Portugal with at least six months' validity
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Educational certificates attested by the Portugal authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for opening a manufacturing company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. Day to day, all prices for opening a manufacturing company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
Pricing available on request — message us for a written quotation.
Why the UAE
The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a manufacturing company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder and makes international pricing simple. The UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for opening a manufacturing company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder.
Why GoldenKey
In our experience, most of our SAIF Zone clients come to us through referrals from other founders, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. To be clear, you deal with one named case manager from the first call until your SAIF Zone licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally. We speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for opening a manufacturing company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder.
In short, if you would like a written quotation for opening a manufacturing company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How many visas can I get with a SAIF Zone licence?
For most clients, visa quota is tied to the package and office you choose. SAIF Zone packages as a rule 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.
Do I need to visit the UAE to set up in SAIF Zone?
Most SAIF Zone licences can be issued remotely with scanned 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 processed.
What is the difference between an FZE and an FZCO in SAIF Zone?
An FZE has one shareholder and an FZCO has two or more. Both offer limited liability and 100% foreign ownership, and the fees in SAIF Zone are usually the same.
Is manufacturing & industrial allowed in SAIF Zone?
Yes. Portuguese nationals can own 100% of a manufacturing company in the UAE. {brand} recommends SAIF Zone for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
What approvals does manufacturing & industrial need?
In short, civil defence, environment department, Ministry of Industry (for certain products). GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
