WhatsApp quoteOn the ground, 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. SAIF Zone issues commercial, professional and industrial licences from its base in Sharjah, and GoldenKey processes new registrations there every week. To be clear, printing & Packaging in SAIF Zone means commercial printing, signage, labels and packaging production, and it is licensed as an industrial activity. In our experience, printing presses need an industrial unit with civil defence approval. Digital print shops and sign makers can start on a commercial licence with a small workshop.
Why SAIF Zone
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. Importantly, popular activities in SAIF Zone include manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, import/export and industrial, and most of them can be combined on a single licence.
How SAIF Zone works with GoldenKey
Step 1Consultation and activity selection
GoldenKey starts by confirming your activity is available in SAIF Zone, then agrees the licence category, visa quota and office option with you in writing.
Step 2Name reservation and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name with the SAIF Zone authority and obtains initial approval, typically within one to two business days. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a printing and packaging company in the UAE as a Swiss founder.
Step 3Document submission and payment
For most clients, you sign the application and memorandum, we file the attested paperwork with SAIF Zone and the authority's licence fee is paid.
Step 4Licence 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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a printing and packaging company in the UAE as a Swiss founder.
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening a printing and packaging company in the UAE as a Swiss founder.
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A police clearance certificate from Switzerland if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
Pricing
The figures below for opening a printing and packaging company in the UAE as a Swiss founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Pricing for opening a printing and packaging company in the UAE as a Swiss founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
Pricing available on request — message us for a written quotation.
Why the UAE
Day to day, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a printing and packaging company in the UAE as a Swiss founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a printing and packaging company in the UAE as a Swiss founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
Why GoldenKey
In our experience, after your SAIF Zone licence is released, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a printing and packaging company in the UAE as a Swiss founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Importantly, you deal with one named adviser from the first call until your SAIF Zone licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally.
Prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss opening a printing and packaging company in the UAE as a Swiss founder.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to visit the UAE to set up in SAIF Zone?
Crucially, most SAIF Zone licences can be released 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.
How long does the SAIF Zone licence take?
Once your documents are complete, the authority typically issues the licence within 5 working days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Can I add more activities to my SAIF Zone licence later?
Yes. SAIF Zone allows activity additions and changes through a licence amendment, which GoldenKey can process in a few working days for a small authority fee.
Can a Swiss citizen own 100% of a company in SAIF Zone?
Yes. Swiss nationals can own the full share capital of a SAIF Zone company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Is printing & packaging allowed in SAIF Zone?
Yes. Swiss nationals can own 100% of a printing and packaging company in the UAE. {brand} recommends SAIF Zone for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
