SPC Free Zone Company Setup in Sharjah
Sharjah's high-volume free zone with packages from AED 5,750
In short
SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone) is a Sharjah free zone operated with the Government of Sharjah, with business setup packages starting from AED 5,750. It offers 100% foreign ownership, zero paid-up share capital, 2,000+ business activities, a lease agreement included with every business licence, on-site immigration services, UAE residency processed in as fast as 5 working days, and a fully digital setup that can be completed in about 45 minutes with an advisor. Best for startups, consultants, e-commerce sellers and publishers who want a low-cost, fast UAE licence with everything handled in one place.
Licence from
AED 5,750
from / published — SPC states business setup packages start from AED 5,750; the final price is built in its online cost calculator from your activities, visas and facility, and government and visa fees are added on top
Emirate
Sharjah
Sharjah Publishing City, Sharjah
Visas
Package-based
Visa packages are configured in SPC's cost calculator rather than published as a fixed quota per licence — your allocation depends on the package and facility. Immigration services are on site, and SPC advertises UAE residency processed in as fast as 5 working days, plus spouse and dependant visa processing.
Activities
Wide range
2,000+ business activities are available, and SPC publishes its activity list online with a name-check tool. Certain activities need additional approvals, which SPC flags during application.
Why SPC?
- Business setup packages from a published AED 5,750 — among the lowest entry prices of any UAE free zone.
- Operated with the Government of Sharjah — the world's first publishing free zone, now licensing 2,000+ business activities across sectors.
- A lease agreement is included with every business licence, and there is zero paid-up share capital requirement.
- Immigration services on site: UAE residency processed in as fast as 5 working days, with VIP medical and Emirates ID assistance.
- Fully digital setup, amendments and renewals through the SPC Online Portal — SPC says the setup process can be completed in about 45 minutes with a Business Setup Advisor.
- Three structures: FZE-LLC (single shareholder), FZC-LLC (two or more shareholders) and branches of local or foreign companies.
Best for
Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub.
Less ideal for
Regulated financial-services firms (DIFC or ADGM fit better), businesses that specifically need a Dubai-emirate address for clients or staff, and heavy industrial or port-side operations — JAFZA, RAKEZ or UAQ FTZ industrial facilities fit those better.
SPC setup cost
Approximate budgeting figures — your final quote is confirmed in writing. Government fees are passed through at cost, never marked up.
Business setup package
SPC's published starting price; the total is configured in its online cost calculator from activities, visas and facility
From AED 5,750 (published)
Licence with lease agreement
A lease agreement comes with every business licence
Included
Visa packages
Configured per package in the cost calculator; residency processed in as fast as 5 working days
Quote-based
Paid-up share capital
SPC requires zero paid-up share capital
AED 0
UAE corporate tax registration
Registration with the Federal Tax Authority is free of charge
Government fee: AED 0
How we set you up
- 1
Choose structure and activities
Pick FZE-LLC (single shareholder), FZC-LLC (two or more) or a branch, and select from the 2,000+ activity list — SPC's name-check tool reserves your trade name.
- 2
Price the package
SPC's online cost calculator builds the package from your activities, visa count and facility — packages start from AED 5,750. Get the itemised figure in writing.
- 3
Submit documents online
Passport copies (plus UAE visa/Emirates ID if resident), shareholding details and company documents for corporate shareholders or branches — all through the SPC Online Portal. SPC says setup can be completed in about 45 minutes with an advisor.
- 4
Declare the UBO
Any individual owning or controlling 25% or more (or with effective control) must be declared during setup, and UBO records must be kept up to date.
- 5
Receive licence and lease
The business licence is issued with its lease agreement included — your legal address is covered from day one.
- 6
Visas, bank account and tax
Process residency through the on-site immigration services (as fast as 5 working days), open the bank account with SPC's banking-assistance partners, and register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority (free).
Pros
- Published entry price of AED 5,750 — with the lease agreement included, the licence covers your legal address without a separate flexi-desk line.
- Speed: about 45 minutes to complete setup with an advisor, residency in as fast as 5 working days, immigration on site.
- Zero paid-up share capital and 100% foreign ownership across the 2,000+ activity list.
- Government of Sharjah backing with a fully digital portal for setup, amendments and renewals.
- Deep value-added bench: banking assistance, spouse/dependant visas, documentation, customs code and financing support under one roof.
Things to weigh
- The AED 5,750 headline is a starting price — visas, extra activities and facilities move the calculator total up, so always compare the itemised quote.
- A Sharjah address, not Dubai: fine for most online and service businesses, but clients who expect a Dubai-emirate licence or address should weigh Dubai zones.
- No fixed published visa quota per licence — your allocation is configured per package and confirmed at quote stage.
- Like any free zone, direct mainland UAE retail requires additional licensing or arrangements.
SPC or mainland?
SPC Free Zone gives you 100% ownership, zero paid-up capital and a licence with the lease included at a published starting price — but, as with every free zone, direct trade with the UAE mainland market needs additional licensing or arrangements. If your customers are online, international or other businesses, SPC's price and speed are hard to beat from Sharjah. If you sell to walk-in UAE customers or want government contracts, a mainland licence serves you better — or combine both.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an SPC Free Zone licence cost in 2026?+
SPC Free Zone publishes business setup packages starting from AED 5,750, with a lease agreement included with every licence and zero paid-up share capital. The final price is built in SPC's online cost calculator from your activities, visa count and facility, and government and visa fees are added on top — always compare a written, itemised quote.
Is SPC Free Zone only for publishing businesses?+
No. Sharjah Publishing City started as the world's first publishing free zone, but today it licenses more than 2,000 business activities across trading, e-commerce, services, consultancy and media. Publishers do get a dedicated Publishers Hub, and everyone else picks from the general activity list.
How fast is company setup at SPC Free Zone?+
SPC says the setup process can be completed in about 45 minutes with a Business Setup Advisor once your documents are ready, because the whole flow — registration, amendments and renewals — runs through its online portal. UAE residency visas are advertised as processed in as fast as 5 working days, with immigration services on site.
What legal structures does SPC Free Zone offer?+
Three: FZE-LLC for a single shareholder (individual or corporate), FZC-LLC for two or more shareholders (individuals, companies or a mix), and branches of existing local or foreign companies, which operate under the parent's name. Any individual owning or controlling 25% or more must be declared as UBO during setup.
SPC Free Zone or Shams — which Sharjah zone should I pick?+
They compete head-on: Shams starts at AED 5,750 for a zero-visa media-flavoured licence, and SPC starts at the same AED 5,750 with the lease agreement included, 2,000+ activities and on-site immigration. In practice the choice comes down to your exact activity, visa needs and the itemised quote each zone produces — we compare both line by line before recommending either.
Why set up with ZETUP PRO
ZETUP PRO is an independent advisor — no zone pays us more than another. We will tell you straight whether SPC's price and speed actually fit your activity and visa plan or whether another Sharjah, Dubai or northern-emirates zone serves you better, and we put the full cost in writing, line by line, before you commit. Government and authority fees are always passed through at cost.
Compare with other free zones
SPC vs IFZA
from AED 12,900
Consultants, freelancers, service firms, marketing/IT agencies, holding companies and traders who want an affordable Dubai free zone with flexible visa numbers and a wide activity list. Ideal for solo founders and small teams who do not need a physical mainland storefront.
SPC vs Meydan
from AED 12,500
E-commerce sellers, freelancers, consultants, agencies, small service businesses and holding companies that want a credible Dubai address, a low starting cost and a quick online setup, while keeping their visa needs modest (up to three on a flexi-desk).
SPC vs DMCC
from AED 35,484
Commodities and trading houses (gold, diamonds, metals, energy, agri), crypto/Web3 and blockchain founders, fintech, established SMEs and serious entrepreneurs who want a prestige Dubai address, a credible ecosystem and smoother banking. Ideal when reputation, sector clustering and a physical presence in central Dubai matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
SPC vs RAKEZ
from AED 6,000
Cost-conscious SMEs, traders, freelancers and consultants, e-commerce sellers, and especially industrial or manufacturing businesses needing warehouses or land. A common pick for Dubai-based founders who want a cheaper free zone licence and don't need a Dubai address on the trade licence.
SPC vs Shams
from AED 5,750
Budget-conscious founders, freelancers, media and creative professionals, consultants, and online or service businesses who want a cheap, credible UAE licence and don't need a Dubai address or to trade directly on the mainland.
SPC vs DAFZA
from AED 15,020
Aviation, freight forwarding, logistics, electronics, pharma, luxury goods and trading companies that need physical airport proximity, a prestige Dubai address, and an office or warehouse on-site. Suits funded businesses that value reputation over the lowest possible cost.
SPC vs JAFZA
from AED 15,000
Import-export and trading houses, distribution and re-export businesses, logistics and freight-forwarding firms, manufacturers and light-industrial operations, and regional headquarters serving Asia, Africa and Europe. Ideal for companies that physically move, store or process goods and want to sit on top of Jebel Ali Port with bonded warehousing and on-site customs.
SPC vs DIFC
from AED 5,500
Financial-services firms, fintech and Web3 startups, investment managers, funds, family offices, holding companies, and international law, advisory and insurance firms that need a credible common-law jurisdiction, DFSA standing and access to capital. The DIFC Innovation Hub specifically suits early-stage, non-regulated tech and fintech founders who want the DIFC address and ecosystem at a subsidised price.
SPC vs ADGM
from AED 5,509
Financial-services firms, asset and fund managers, VCs and fintechs regulated by the FSRA; holding companies, SPVs, family offices and foundations; and Hub71-eligible tech start-ups. The right pick when a common-law jurisdiction, a credible financial-centre address and Abu Dhabi's capital ecosystem matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
SPC vs Dubai South
from AED 12,500
Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. Also a practical government-run package option (Business Hub) for SMEs and startups that want a published-price Dubai licence with same-day issuance.
SPC vs UAQ FTZ
from AED 5,500
Online sellers, dropshippers and solo founders who want the cheapest credible published package in the UAE (UAQ LYTE at AED 5,500); founders who need licence-plus-visa in one transparent bundle (UAQ START at AED 12,500); and light-industrial, trading and logistics businesses using its warehouses, land and UAQ Port.
SPC vs Innovation City
from AED 6,600
AI, Web3/blockchain, gaming, robotics and healthtech founders who want a specialist tech free zone with published package pricing; DAOs and token projects needing the UAE's dedicated DAO Association Regulations; and digital-asset businesses that value an ecosystem with crypto-experienced banking and infrastructure partners.