DIFC vs SAIF
Dubai International Financial Centre compared to Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | DIFC | SAIF |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Dubai International Financial Centre | Sharjah Airport International Free Zone |
| Emirate | Dubai | Sharjah |
| Specialty | Financial services, fintech | Aviation, logistics, trading |
| Cheapest Year 1 | AED 23,000 | AED 17,500 |
| Cheapest Package | DIFC Innovation License | SAIF Zone Trading |
| License Fee (from) | AED 12,000 | AED 8,000 |
| Visa Cost Range | AED 6,000-AED 8,000 | AED 4,000-AED 5,500 |
| Notable | Independent legal system (common law) | Adjacent to Sharjah Airport |
| Website | www.difc.ae | www.saif-zone.com |
All Packages Compared
DIFC Packages
| Package | Year 1 | Visas |
|---|---|---|
| DIFC Innovation License | AED 23,000 | 1 |
| DIFC Commercial License | AED 77,000 | 3 |
| DIFC Financial License | AED 127,000 | 5 |
SAIF Packages
| Package | Year 1 | Visas |
|---|---|---|
| SAIF Zone Trading | AED 17,500 | 2 |
| SAIF Zone Office | AED 30,000 | 6 |
| SAIF Zone Industrial | AED 52,000 | 10 |
Verdict
SAIF is the more affordable option, starting from AED 17,500 compared to AED 23,000 for DIFC. However, DIFC may offer advantages in terms of financial services, fintech.