Sharjah Publishing City · Sharjah

SPC

SPC Free Zone

Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) — a low-cost UAE licence popular with publishing, media and general trading businesses, with 100% ownership and quick, remote setup.

Get a setup plan Get an exact quote

The structure

Who SPC suits

A genuine UAE licence at a low price, with a broad activity list and quick, remote setup. Strong for publishing and media, but works well for general business too — here's where it fits, and where it doesn't.

✓

A strong fit for

Publishing & printingBooks, print, content and the businesses around them.
Media & content creatorsProduction, marketing, design and digital studios.
Traders & e-commerceGeneral trading and online sales on a lean budget.
Consultants & servicesAdvisory and professional services billed anywhere.
Startups watching costA low-cost UAE base while you find traction.

Consider another route if

You specifically need a Dubai addressClients who expect a Dubai licence may prefer IFZA or Meydan.
You'll sell directly to the UAE mainlandYou'd still need a distributor or a mainland licence to invoice locally.
You run heavy industrial or warehousingRAKEZ suits logistics and light industry better.

What it costs

Cost & what's included

Base

Costed for your setupFees vary by activity, visa count and office choice

A zero-visa licence, 100% foreign-owned. Your final figure depends on:

How many residence visas you need
Your business activity — or activities
Workspace: flexi-desk or a private office

We build a written quote around your exact setup, so you see the full breakdown before you commit — no surprises later.

Split payments Setup fees can be paid in instalments with Tamara. Your advisor confirms eligibility and terms with your quote.

What every SPC licence includes

✓ 100% foreign ownership
✓ Business activities on one licence
✓ Flexi-desk workspace & a Sharjah address
✓ Digital company documents
✓ Corporate bank account introduction (a Bizvisor service, not a zone inclusion)

Get your exact quote SPC Free Zone — activity list and published package pricing ↗

At a glance

The essentials

Legal structure: Free Zone LLC, or a branch of an existing company
Business activities: Large activity list, including general trading
Activities included: Chosen from SPC's published list of 1,996 activity codes; how many sit on one licence depends on the package, which we confirm before you commit
Corporate tax: 0% on Qualifying Income if you meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions — adequate substance here, audited accounts, and staying within the de minimis limits. Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9% with no AED 375,000 band. Fail the conditions and you fall into the ordinary regime: 0% to AED 375,000, 9% above
VAT: 5% — register once turnover passes AED 375,000
Immigration: Establishment card + e-channel for visas
Licence renewal: Annual
Emirate: Sharjah

The honest view

Advantages & limitations

✓What works in its favour

Low entry cost — a real UAE licence at roughly half the Dubai price.
Large activity list, including general trading.
100% foreign ownership, with no local partner or sponsor.
Fast, remote setup — often within a few working days.

–Worth knowing first

Sharjah, not Dubai — some clients still prefer a Dubai address.
Selling to the UAE mainland needs a distributor or a dual licence.
Not built for heavy industry or large-scale warehousing.

How it stacks up

SPC vs the alternatives

	SPC	SHAMS	IFZA	SRTIP
Starting cost	from 6,895	from 6,885	from 12,900	from 5,510
Visa capacity	Up to 8–10	Up to 8–10	Up to 3	Up to 8–10
Best for	Publishing & trading	Media & creative	Dubai services	Tech & research
Location	Sharjah	Sharjah	Dubai	Sharjah

In short: SPC is a low-cost Sharjah licence with a wide activity list. Shams is its closest media-focused peer, IFZA is the pick if you need a Dubai address, and SRTIP is cheaper still for tech and research.

The process

From plan to trading in about a week

Get your planPackage, exact cost and timeline confirmed.

RegisterLicence issued with SPC (fast turnaround).

Card & visaEstablishment card and visa stamping.

Bank & go liveCorporate account intro — you're trading.

FAQ

Common questions

Ask AgentBiz

How much does an SPC licence cost?

An SPC licence starts from AED 6,895 for a zero-visa package. The entry price is zero-visa, so no establishment card is needed yet; it comes with the visa-bearing packages, and visas and extra activities are priced to your exact setup. we send a full written breakdown before you commit.

Is SPC only for publishing businesses?

No. Publishing and media are its heritage, but SPC licenses general trading, e-commerce, consultancy and many service activities.

Can a foreigner own 100% of an SPC company?

Yes. SPC is a free zone, so you keep 100% foreign ownership — no local partner or sponsor required.

How many visas can I get with SPC?

Up to 8–10 depending on your package. SPC allocates visas per your setup rather than a hard cap; we confirm your exact allocation before you commit.

Can an SPC company trade in the UAE mainland?

Not directly. You'd sell to the mainland through a local distributor, or add a dual licence — we'll advise the cleanest route for your activity.

How long does SPC setup take?

Usually just a few working days once your documents are in order, with visa stamping shortly after.

Will you help me open a corporate bank account?

Yes. We prepare your application, match you to the right bank for your activity, and support you through onboarding.