SPC Free Zone Business License
Price Starting from
AED 5,750*
- Business License
- Choose up to 5 Publishing + Ecommerce Activities
- Cerficate of Formation
- Lease Agreement
- Share Certificate
Company Setup in Sharjah Publishing City (SPC)
About SPC Free Zone
Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone is a world-class business hub that provides opportunities for local and global entrepreneurs. It boasts a modern infrastructure, easy access to ports, attractive plans and regulations, and a sustainable environment – everything needed to make creative businesses thrive.
With its strategic location, Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone has made cutting-edge technology readily available throughout this unique entrepreneurial community; enabling creativity with tailored programs allowing people worldwide to reach their goals of owning successful enterprises at a great price.
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Benefits of SPC Free Zone License
The following are the main benefits and advantages of setting up a company in the SPC Free Zone.
Up to 10 Years Trade License
More than 2000 License Activities Opportunities
Unlimited Number of Visas
Easy Corporate Account Setup
NOC to Operate Anywhere in the UAE
Can have 4 Managers and 4 Directors
Company Documents Issued Within a Day
Up to 7 Shareholders
Legal Company Structure Options
SPC Business Structures
When establishing your company in the Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone, you have a range of legal structures to select from, each designed to cater to specific business requirements. We’ll guide you through the different options available, enabling you to choose the structure that best suits your business vision and operational needs.
Common choice for small to medium-sized enterprises, allowing for multiple shareholders
Suitable for single shareholders while offering flexibility for individual enterprises.
Allows both international companies to establish a presence in the Sharjah while retaining their original legal structure and existing UAE domestic companies to expand their operations into SPC Free Zone.
Choosing the Right Business License
SPC Free Zone License Types
SPC Free Zone offers the following license types.
Entrepreneurs looking to conduct business in trading goods and services, be it in retail or wholesale business, require a commercial license in the UAE.
A trading license is one of the most common licenses issued in the SPC Free Zone, allowing for import and export activities and buying and selling products within the UAE. This makes it highly entrepreneurial-friendly and flexible for a diverse range of businesses.
A service license is best described for businesses providing professional services which includes consultancy, IT services, and other professional activities
For entrepreneurs focused on online retail and service, the e-commerce license provides the necessary framework to conduct business seamlessly over the Internet.
Tailored for businesses involved in publishing activities. It allows companies to launch new publications or distribute existing ones in the UAE.
Required Documents
Requirements for SPC Free Zone License
Necessary criteria and documentation needed to obtain a business license in Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC).
Required Documents
Individual Shareholder
- Passport Copy
- Visa Copy
- Latest UAE entry stamp
- Emirates ID Copy (Front and Back)
- Passport Size Photos
- 3 Proposed Company Names (If Applicable)
Required Documents
Corporate Shareholder
- Company Hierarchy Diagram
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Certificate of Incumbency / Good standing
- Share Certificate / Share Registry Certificate
- Passports of the Directors and Shareholders
- Business Plan
- Memorandum of Association and/or Articles of Association
- Board Resolution
How to Start a SPC Company
Steps for Setting Up a Business in SPC Free Zone
Starting a company in the Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone can have cost-related benefits. However, it's important to remember that these costs are influenced by factors such as the company's structure, the nature of its business, infrastructure needs, and the number of required visas.
No matter your budget, EZONE is here to assist you through the steps for your business setup in Dubai efficiently, saving both time and expenses.
Determine Your Business Activity and Business Name
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ) offers over 2,000 business activities, so it’s important to choose one that fits the zone’s guidelines and benefits. Each area may have its own rules and features, so consider the SPC’s location and its proximity to key markets and partners. Also, when picking a business name in the UAE, make sure it’s not already taken and follows local guidelines to avoid any issues.
Apply for a Trade License
To keep your registration process moving smoothly, it’s smart to have three company names at the ready if your top choice is already spoken for. And remember, your names should be free of any offensive or inappropriate language.
Bank Account
To effectively manage transactions and gain the trust of clients and partners, a business bank account is necessary. EZONE ensures this process is smooth and hassle-free.
What You Actually Pay, and What You Can License
SPC Free Zone Cost & Activities
Figures below are indicative bands; confirm a live quote before budgeting.
| Cost Component | Frequency | What Drives It |
|---|---|---|
| Trade license fee | Annual | Number of activities on the license |
| Registration and incorporation | One-off | Legal structure and shareholder count |
| Flexi-desk workspace | Annual | Entry tier, smallest visa allocation |
| Establishment card | Per issue and renewal | Required before any visa can be sponsored |
| Per-visa cost | Per visa, per cycle | Entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID, stamping |
Build a figure specific to your activity with the EZONE cost calculator.
SPC Free Zone Activity List
SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City) licenses a broad activity list beyond publishing, commonly including:
- Publishing, printing and media activities
- General trading and e-commerce
- Consultancy and professional services
- Information technology services
- Multi-activity licenses combining several related categories
Because SPC allows broad multi-activity licenses at a lower entry cost than several Dubai zones, it is often shortlisted alongside our wider comparison of why entrepreneurs prefer UAE free zones over mainland. If you are still finalising your company name, our guide to UAE trade name rules is worth reading first. Confirm your exact activity against SPC's current published list before applying.
What Is SPC Free Zone?
SPC Free Zone, short for Sharjah Publishing City, is a free zone in Sharjah. It was created for publishing and media businesses, but today it licenses a much wider range of activities, including general trading, e-commerce, consultancy, professional services and technology. That wider scope, combined with a low entry price, is why many founders who never planned to publish anything end up shortlisting it.
A free zone company in SPC can be 100% foreign owned, trades freely inside the zone and abroad, and needs a permit or distributor to sell directly to mainland customers. If you are comparing it with other emirates, our guide to business setup in the UAE by emirate shows where Sharjah fits.
Who SPC Free Zone Suits
E-commerce sellers
Who want a low-cost license and a UAE base for payments, logistics and a bank account.
Consultants and freelancers
Who serve clients mainly outside the UAE.
Digital media, content and technology businesses
That fit the zone's activity list.
Small teams
That want a flexi-desk now and room to add visas later.
It is a weaker fit for businesses that need specialist infrastructure. Commodities trading usually points to DMCC, and logistics and warehousing to JAFZA. It is also not the best choice if most of your customers are inside Dubai and you need a retail or customer-facing premises.
How to Set Up in SPC Free Zone, Step by Step
- Confirm your activity. Check it against SPC's published activity list, because every free zone licenses only what is on its own list.
- Choose your structure. A single owner usually forms a Free Zone Establishment (FZE), and several owners form a Free Zone Company (FZCO).
- Prepare three trade name options that follow UAE naming rules.
- Submit your documents. Individual shareholders provide passports, photographs and proof of address. Corporate shareholders provide attested incorporation documents and a board resolution.
- Pay the fees and receive your license and company documents. Initial issuance can be fast when documents are complete.
- Apply for visas and open a bank account. These steps take longer than the license and decide how soon you can trade.
Our stage-by-stage timeline shows how long each step usually takes, and our checklist for the first 30 days after getting your trade license covers what comes next.
SPC Free Zone Cost: What Drives the Price
The table above lists the components. The price you pay is mainly set by the number of activities on the license, the workspace tier and how many visas you need. Starting prices are shown at the top of this page, and a low first-year package is only a good deal if the renewal price is similar, so ask for both figures.
For a worked breakdown, read our guide to the SPC Free Zone license cost, and our sister site explains what you actually pay in Sharjah. The cost calculator gives an indicative figure for your own activity.
SPC Free Zone vs Other UAE Free Zones
| Question | SPC (Sharjah) | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| Typical entry cost | Low, among the cheaper UAE free zones | Dubai zones such as Meydan usually cost more |
| Best for | E-commerce, consulting, digital and media | DMCC for commodities, JAFZA for logistics |
| Mainland access | Needs a permit or distributor | The same applies to most free zones |
| Location | Sharjah, close to Dubai | Dubai zones sit inside Dubai |
If you are weighing Sharjah options, compare it with SHAMS and with RAKEZ, and read our overview of Sharjah free zone business setup. Our guide to mainland vs free zone vs offshore helps you decide whether a free zone is right at all.
Visas, Banking and Tax in SPC
Visas
Allocation depends on your package and workspace, so choose the package for the team you expect to have.
Banking
A license does not guarantee a bank account. Banks assess the owners, the activity and the business plan. See our guide to bank account opening in the UAE.
Corporate Tax
Every UAE company must register, including free zone companies. A company incorporated on or after 1 March 2024 must apply within three months, and late registration carries an AED 10,000 penalty. Corporate Tax is 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000, and qualifying free zone persons can access a 0% rate on qualifying income only if they meet the conditions. See our guide to corporate tax registration.
Common Mistakes With SPC Free Zone
Assuming it is publishing only
Check the current activity list instead of relying on the name.
Licensing too few activities
Adding one later means an amendment and sometimes new approvals.
Expecting mainland sales to work automatically
You need the right arrangement first.
Choosing the smallest package without a hiring plan
Upgrading later usually costs more than starting on the right tier.
For wider guidance on formation and compliance, see companyformationinuae.com. If you want a recommendation for your own activity, book a free consultation and an EZONE advisor will confirm whether SPC fits before you pay for anything.
More SPC Free Zone Reading
SPC Free Zone in a nutshell
A short summary of what SPC offers and who it suits. Read the summary.
SPC on our sister site
Independent formation guidance from CompanyFormationInUAE.com. Read the SPC guide.
Common Questions
SPC Free Zone FAQs
SPC is generally positioned as one of the more cost-effective Sharjah free zones, with packages scaling by activity count and visa allocation. Use the EZONE cost calculator for a figure specific to your setup, and confirm current pricing with a live quote.
Beyond publishing and media, SPC licenses general trading, e-commerce, consultancy, professional services and IT activities, often bundled into broad multi-activity licenses. Confirm your specific activity against the current published list.
Yes, SPC is known for allowing broad multi-activity licenses, which is part of why it is often compared against other cost-effective UAE free zones for founders who need flexibility across several activities.
No. SPC was created for publishing and media, but it now licenses general trading, e-commerce, consultancy, professional services and technology activities. Check your exact activity against its current published list.
Yes. Free zone companies can be 100% foreign owned. A single owner usually forms a Free Zone Establishment and several owners form a Free Zone Company.
Not directly. It needs a mainland permit, a distributor or a mainland branch or company, depending on the activity.
It must register for Corporate Tax. Qualifying free zone persons can access a 0% rate on qualifying income if they meet the conditions, and other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.