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  1. Home
  2. ›Free zones
  3. ›Costs and visas
  4. ›SRTIP

Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park (SRTIP): setup cost, visas and licences

Sharjah · Sharjah Government · Est. 2016

Tech StartupsR&D CompaniesConsultanciesE-commerce

Located adjacent to University City, SRTIP is a research and technology free zone operating on an academic-industry partnership model. Packages start from AED 5,500, supporting up to 10 visa allocations with moderate corporate banking access. SRTIP offers specialized lab access, prototyping facilities, and incubation programs for startups in green technology, advanced manufacturing, and software development.

Set up in SRTIP: talk to an adviser Visa and renewal costs

Fees last checked June 2026 · Licensing authority: Sharjah Government. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.

From

AED 5,500

Year 1

Quick facts

Registered companies10,000+
Processing time10–14 days
Banking difficultyModerate

Pricing packages

Zero Visa General Trading Package

AED 5,500

General Trading · Virtual · 0 visas

Renews at AED 5,500

1 Visa SPARK Starter Promo

AED 11,950

SPARK Starter · Flexi Desk · 1 visa

Renews at AED 14,690

2 Visa SPARK Starter Promo

AED 16,615

SPARK Starter · Flexi Desk · 2 visas

Renews at AED 19,195

SPARK AI Hub 3 Visa Launch Package

AED 7,380

AI Hub License · Innovation Lounge · 3 visas

Renews at AED 11,100

SPARK AI Hub 4 Visa Launch Package

AED 10,090

AI Hub License · Innovation Lounge · 4 visas

Renews at AED 15,300

SRTIP visa, renewal and office costs

Typical setup costAED 12,000 – AED 20,000
Annual renewalAED 9,000 – AED 15,000
Visas per desk3
Most visas in a published package4 (SPARK AI Hub 4 Visa Launch Package)
Dependent (family) visaAED 3,500
Minimum share capitalNone for a standard company
Smallest office18 sq m

Visa renewal is typically every 2 years and is tracked separately from the annual licence renewal.

Features

Mainland trading

No

Dual licence allowed

Yes

Crypto-friendly

No

Shared ownership

Yes

Coworking available

Yes

Online portal

Yes

Audit required

Yes

Tax and compliance analysis

Substance

High

Audit risk

Moderate

Forensic ease

7/10

The Innovation Node; Specialized in IP Asset Registry & Nexus Ratio Audits.

SRTIP is Sharjah's primary hub for the knowledge economy. For 2026, the forensic challenge is the 'R&D Nexus Approach.' Under Ministerial Decision 229, income from patents and software is only 0% if the R&D was localized. SRTIP entities must move beyond basic accounting to an 'IP Asset Registry' model, where every dirham of profit is mathematically linked to specific research activities performed within the Park.

Statutory basis

Focus on IP and Technology 'Qualifying Activity' under MD 229. Compliance is driven by the alignment of innovation grants with the UAE Federal Tax framework to prevent 'Double-Dipping' or misclassification of revenue.

Compliance roadmap

  1. R&D Expense Tracking: Implementing a ledger that separates 'Qualifying R&D' costs (coding, testing) from standard administrative OPEX
  2. IP Asset Registry: Creating a forensic file for each patent or software copyright that tracks its development lifecycle in SRTIP
  3. Grant-to-Tax Reconciliation: Ensuring government innovation grants are not inadvertently included in the 'Qualifying Income' pool

Common pitfalls

  • Confusing 'Innovation Grants' or university subsidies with commercial taxable revenue
  • Treating generic IT consulting as 'High-Value R&D' Qualifying Income
  • Failure to localize the 'Place of Effective Management' for remote-first tech startups

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Tax and compliance

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Want help setting up in SRTIP?

Leave your details and an adviser will call you back about setting up in Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park. There's no charge to ask.

Common questions

How much does it cost to set up in SRTIP?

The cheapest published package for Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park is Zero Visa General Trading Package at AED 5,500 for Year 1, renewing at AED 5,500. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.

How long does SRTIP setup take?

Typical processing time is 10–14 business days, though bank account opening usually adds further time.

Is banking easy to set up with a SRTIP licence?

Banking difficulty for SRTIP is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include Emirates NBD, Mashreq, First Abu Dhabi Bank, ADCB, RAKBANK, Wio Bank.

How many visas can I get with a SRTIP licence, and what do they cost?

SRTIP allows 3 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 4 visas (SPARK AI Hub 4 Visa Launch Package, AED 10,090 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 3,500. Visa renewal is typically every 2 years and is tracked separately from the annual licence renewal.

How much is the SRTIP licence renewal each year?

Annual renewal runs from AED 9,000 to AED 15,000, depending on the package, office and visa count.

What is the minimum share capital in SRTIP?

SRTIP 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 SRTIP?

The smallest office we hold for SRTIP is 18 sq m.

Can a SRTIP company trade on the UAE mainland?

Not directly. A SRTIP company trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a separate mainland licence.

SRTIP might be right — or your business might need something else entirely

Tell Scout what your business does and how many visas you need. It prices every zone that can license you, this one included, from the fees each publishes. Your shortlist is free.

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