Sharjah · Sharjah Government · Est. 2017
SPC Free Zone is a multi-sector hub in Sharjah covering publishing, printing, e-commerce, consulting, and trading across 2,000+ business activities. Packages start from AED 5,750, supporting up to 20 visa allocations with moderate corporate banking access. SPC offers transparent pay-as-you-go pricing and dual-licensing options that enable combined free zone and mainland business operations.
Fees last checked · Licensing authority: Sharjah Government. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.
From
AED 5,750
Year 1
Quick facts
E-commerce License (0 Visa)
AED 5,750
E-commerce License · None · 0 visas
Renews at AED 5,750
Pay-As-You-Go License (0 Visa)
AED 6,875
Pay-As-You-Go License · None · 0 visas
Renews at AED 6,875
1 Investor Visa Package
AED 14,610
Pay-As-You-Go License · Flexi Desk · 1 visa
Renews at AED 11,910
2 Visa Package
AED 19,425
Pay-As-You-Go License · Flexi Desk · 2 visas
Renews at AED 16,505
4 Visa Team Package
AED 29,055
Pay-As-You-Go License · Flexi Desk · 4 visas
Renews at AED 26,135
No traditional office required — virtual offices and flexi-desk options are available. Remote incorporation is possible from outside the UAE, but banking and visa processing require the founder's physical presence.
Features
Mainland trading
Dual licence allowed
Crypto-friendly
Shared ownership
Coworking available
Online portal
Audit required
Tax and compliance analysis
Substance
Low
Audit risk
Standard
Forensic ease
8/10
High-Efficiency Trading Node; The Dual-License Ring-Fencing Specialist.
SPC is the world's first dedicated publishing hub, but in 2026, it has evolved into a powerhouse for general trading and e-commerce. The unique 'Dual-License' feature allows entities to trade with the mainland instantly, but this creates a massive forensic burden. Without rigid P&L segregation, mainland revenue can 'taint' the 0% Free Zone pool, leading to a full 9% reassessment by the Federal Tax Authority.
Statutory eligibility for 0% Corporate Tax hinges on Article 18 QFZP status. For SPC entities, the focus is on the 'Distribution' of goods and 'Printing' activities, which must be clearly mapped against Core Income-Generating Activities (CIGA) performed within the zone.
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Tax and compliance
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How much does it cost to set up in SPC?
The cheapest published package for Sharjah Publishing City is E-commerce License (0 Visa) at AED 5,750 for Year 1, renewing at AED 5,750. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.
How long does SPC setup take?
Typical processing time is 5–10 business days, though bank account opening usually adds further time.
Is banking easy to set up with a SPC licence?
Banking difficulty for SPC is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include Mashreq, Wio Bank, RAKBANK, Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic, Commercial Bank International (CBI), Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD), Deem Finance, Ruya Bank.
How many visas can I get with a SPC licence, and what do they cost?
SPC allows 3 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 4 visas (4 Visa Team Package, AED 29,055 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 5,000.
How much is the SPC licence renewal each year?
Annual renewal runs from AED 8,000 to AED 12,000, depending on the package, office and visa count.
What is the minimum share capital in SPC?
SPC sets no minimum share capital for a standard company, though some activities and entity types carry their own requirement.
Do I need a physical office in SPC?
No traditional office required — virtual offices and flexi-desk options are available. Remote incorporation is possible from outside the UAE, but banking and visa processing require the founder's physical presence.
Can a SPC company trade on the UAE mainland?
Not directly. A SPC company trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a separate mainland licence.