Business Setup in Sharjah
Business setup in Sharjah from AED 5,750. Compare SHAMS, SPC Free Zone dual licence, Hamriyah and SAIF Zone on cost, visas and activities, then get fixed quotes.
Business Setup AE editorial review Last reviewed 2026-09-09
Quick answer
Business setup in Sharjah is licensed either by the Sharjah Economic Development Department for mainland activity or by one of the emirate's free zones — SHAMS, SPC Free Zone, Hamriyah and SAIF Zone. Sharjah packages in our catalogue are among the lower published entry prices in the UAE, and SPC Free Zone publishes a dual-licence route that adds mainland trading rights for eligible activities. Compare the source-linked Sharjah packages below and ask for the year-two renewal in writing before paying.
- Licence from
- AED 5,750 (zero visa)
- With one visa
- AED 14,000 – 19,000
- Setup time
- 2 – 5 working days
- Dual licence
- Available via SPC
Sharjah borders Dubai and shares its labour market and logistics network, and the licence and premises prices published for Sharjah zones sit below comparable Dubai packages in our catalogue. For cost-sensitive founders — freelancers, small agencies, e-commerce sellers and traders — that can make Sharjah the rational choice, with a Dubai commute and a Sharjah cost base.
Four zones dominate. SHAMS is a media and services zone with one of the lowest published entry prices on file. SPC Free Zone offers fast licensing and a dual licence with Sharjah's economic department that permits mainland trading for eligible activities. Hamriyah Free Zone serves industry and manufacturing with a deep-water port. SAIF Zone sits beside Sharjah International Airport and serves air-freight-dependent trade.
The trade-off to weigh is the address itself: some clients read a Dubai address as a signal. Banks set their own onboarding criteria and we do not publish claims about how any bank treats a particular zone — ask your provider which banks they have recently opened accounts with for the zone you are considering.
| Scenario | Structure | Year-one total (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer, no visa | SHAMS zero-visa licence | 5,750 – 8,000 |
| Consultant, one visa | SHAMS or SPC flexi-desk | 14,000 – 19,000 |
| E-commerce, one visa | SPC Free Zone | 15,000 – 21,000 |
| Trading with onshore sales | SPC dual licence | 22,000 – 32,000 |
| Light manufacturing | Hamriyah + warehouse | 60,000 – 150,000 |
Current verified packages
These are provider package prices, not universal government fees. Each row preserves the published price basis, renewal disclosure and source date.
| Provider and package | Activity | Visas | Workspace | Published price | Renewal | Last verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHAMSnotionwave | Creative / consulting / digital | 0 | Not stated | offer AED 4,462Advertised promotional offer | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SPCnotionwave | Content / consulting / digital | 0 | Not stated | offer AED 5,363Advertised promotional offer | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SHAMS – 0 VisaCreative Zone | Media / services / consulting | 0 | Office / co-working | from AED 5,750Starting from | Not stated | 2026-08-29 | Provider source |
| Sharjah Freezone BasicDBS Business Setup Group | General business | 0 | Flexi desk | AED 5,750Published package | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| Basic Company SetupNuSetup | E-commerce | 0 | Not stated | AED 5,750Published package | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SHAMS — Without VisaKiltons Business Setup Services | Media / creative / services | 0 | Not stated | AED 5,750Published package price | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| Sharjah Free Zone / 0 VisaArabian Group | General business | 0 | Flexi desk | AED 5,750Published package price | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SHAMS Media PackageBizvise | General business | 0 | Flexi desk | AED 5,750Published package price | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SPC – 0 VisaCreative Zone | Trading / services / consultancy | 0 | Office / co-working | offer AED 6,000Advertised offer | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| Sharjah Free Zone BasicElevate Auditing | General business | 0 | Flexi desk | AED 6,000Published package | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SPC Freezone — Without VisaKiltons Business Setup Services | General business | 0 | Not stated | AED 6,375Published package price | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SPC Multi-Activity PackageS Abdullah Associates | General / multiple activities | 1 | Office / co-working | AED 6,500Published package | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| General Trading Licence Offer – SPCA&A Associate | General Trading | Not stated | Not stated | offer AED 6,875Advertised offer | Not stated | 2026-08-29 | Provider source |
| SHAMSAvyanco | Media / creative | Eligibility only | Not stated | gov. cost from AED 6,875Government cost from | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SPC Free ZoneAvyanco | General | Eligibility only | Not stated | gov. cost from AED 6,875Government cost from | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SPC Freezone — With VisaKiltons Business Setup Services | General business | 1 | Not stated | AED 6,875Published package price | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SHAMS Standard PackageBizvise | General business | 0 | Flexi desk | AED 6,875Published package price | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SHAMS — With VisaKiltons Business Setup Services | Media / creative / services | 1 | Not stated | AED 6,885Published package price | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SHAMS Startup PackageHDF Business Services | Startup / general business | 1 | Not stated | from AED 7,500Starting from | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| SPC Premium PackageHDF Business Services | General business | 3 | Not stated | from AED 13,500Starting from | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| Silver Company SetupNuSetup | E-commerce | 1 | Not stated | AED 14,900Published package | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
| One Investor Visa PromotionSPC Free Zone | General business | 1 | Flexi desk | offer AED 14,990Promotional price | Not stated | 2026-10-07 | Provider source |
Sharjah free zones compared
| Zone | From (AED/yr) | Visa quota | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHAMS | 5,750 zero-visa / 9,500 with visa | Up to 2 (flexi) | Freelancers, media, services |
| SPC Free Zone | 6,875 | Up to 3 | Dual licence, instant issuance |
| Hamriyah Free Zone | 9,000 | Up to 4 | Manufacturing, oil and gas, port access |
| SAIF Zone | 12,500 | Up to 4 | Air freight, trading, logistics |
| Sharjah Media City creative permit | 5,000 | 0 – 1 | Solo creators and consultants |
The SPC dual licence explained
SPC Free Zone has an arrangement with the Sharjah Economic Development Department that lets a free zone company hold a parallel mainland licence on the same shareholding. In practice this removes the usual free zone limitation: you can invoice UAE onshore customers directly without setting up a separate mainland entity or appointing a distributor.
It is not free — the dual licence adds an annual fee and Sharjah-registered premises may be required depending on activity — but it is materially cheaper than running two entities and is the strongest argument for choosing Sharjah over Dubai when you have both international and onshore revenue.
Industrial and warehousing options
Hamriyah Free Zone offers plots, pre-built warehouses and executive offices with direct access to a 14-metre deep-water port, and is the standard choice for manufacturing, marine and oil-services businesses. SAIF Zone's proximity to the airport suits high-value, low-volume goods and same-day re-export. Both zones price warehousing well below Dubai equivalents.
Who this option suits best
- Freelancers and solo consultants on tight budgets
- E-commerce sellers who do not need a Dubai address
- Businesses needing both free zone and mainland rights via SPC
- Manufacturers and marine services using Hamriyah port
- Traders shipping air freight through Sharjah airport
Step-by-step process
- 1
Choose the zone1 day
SHAMS for lowest cost, SPC for dual licence, Hamriyah or SAIF for industry and freight.
- 2
Reserve the name and select activities1 day
Most Sharjah zones allow multiple activities within one group at no extra cost.
- 3
Submit documents1 day
Passport, photo, proof of address; NOC if you hold a UAE employment visa.
- 4
Pay and receive the licence1 – 3 days
SPC issues same-day in many cases; SHAMS within two to three working days.
- 5
Establishment card2 – 4 days
Required before any residence visa application.
- 6
Visa and Emirates ID7 – 14 days
Entry permit, medical, biometrics and stamping.
Documents required
- Passport copies (valid 6+ months) for every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photo with white background for each applicant
- Proof of address or a recent utility bill / bank statement
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Business activity list and a short business description
- Emirates ID and visa copy or entry stamp if you are already in the UAE
- NOC from current UAE sponsor if you hold an employment visa
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Licence issuance | 1 – 3 working days |
| Establishment card | 2 – 4 working days |
| Residence visa | 7 – 14 working days |
| Bank account | 2 – 5 weeks |
Sharjah's zero-visa licences are genuinely cheap, but adding a visa brings the establishment card and immigration deposit — always compare on the with-visa total.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Comparing a Sharjah zero-visa price to a Dubai with-visa price
Fix: Always compare like-for-like totals including establishment card and visa.
Assuming a Sharjah free-zone licence covers Dubai onshore sales
Fix: Onshore selling depends on the activity and the authority — SPC's dual licence is one route, and otherwise a distributor or mainland branch may be required. Confirm with the zone and the economic department.
Choosing on price without checking bank acceptance
Fix: Ask the provider which banks they opened accounts with for that zone in the last 90 days.
Overlooking Hamriyah for industrial needs
Fix: Port-adjacent warehousing in Sharjah is far cheaper than Dubai equivalents.
Compliance after licensing
- Corporate tax registration with the FTA — 9% applies on taxable profit above AED 375,000; 0% below it. Small Business Relief may apply to revenue under AED 3m.
- VAT registration is mandatory once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 in 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.
- Economic Substance notifications and reports applied only to financial years ending on or before 31 December 2022 — no new ESR filings are due for later years (Ministry of Finance).
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register kept with the licensing authority and updated within 15 days of any change.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) registration on the goAML portal for designated non-financial businesses and professions.
- Annual licence and establishment-card renewal, plus audited financials where the free zone or activity requires them.
Regulators referenced: Ministry of Economy (UAE) · Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) · Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) · Federal Tax Authority (FTA) · General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) · Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
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7 min read · Published Read guideFrequently asked questions
How much does a Sharjah business licence cost?
Is Sharjah cheaper than Dubai for business setup?
What is the SPC dual licence?
Can a Sharjah free zone company operate in Dubai?
How many visas can I get with SHAMS?
How fast is Sharjah company formation?
People also ask
Is SHAMS good for freelancers?
It is a common choice: the media and services activity list suits solo consultants and creators, and its published entry prices are among the lowest on file. Compare it against Ajman Free Zone and RAKEZ on the with-visa total.
Can I live in Dubai with a Sharjah company visa?
Yes. A UAE residence visa issued by any emirate lets you live anywhere in the country.
Does Sharjah allow 100% foreign ownership?
Yes, in all Sharjah free zones and in most SEDD mainland activities.
What is the lowest published UAE licence price on file?
The lowest comparable published prices in our catalogue are usually zero-visa SHAMS licences and creative permits. Prices change, so check the live package table above for the current figure and its source date.
Founder checklist
- Confirm the exact activity codes you need before paying any fee
- Compare at least three providers on total year-one cost, not licence cost alone
- Check the visa quota attached to your chosen facility (flexi-desk vs office)
- Ask what is excluded: establishment card, e-channel deposit, medical, Emirates ID, PRO fees
- Confirm bank-account support and which banks the provider actually opens with
- Register for corporate tax within the deadline after licence issuance
- Diarise your licence renewal date and UBO register updates
Why you can trust this guide
- Independent marketplace — Business Setup AE does not form companies and takes no commission on provider pricing
- Package prices are read from each provider's own published page or PDF and stored with that source URL and check date
- Government fee figures are cited to the published schedule of the relevant authority; where an authority does not publish a figure we say so instead of estimating
- We do not audit provider operations, licence standing or adviser credentials — see how we verify for exactly what a verification covers
Editorial ownership: Business Setup AE Editorial Team. See our editorial and corrections policy and package verification method.
Related guides and services
Official government sources
Fees, thresholds and licensing rules on this page are checked against these official UAE government and regulator sources.
- Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD)Sharjah mainland licensing rules and fees
- SHAMS — Sharjah Media CityPublished free zone package and licence pricing
- Ministry of Economy — UAEFederal commercial registration, trade names and company law
Topics covered
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