New Freezone Incentives—Up to 30% Fee Reduction for Startup
Start and Grow Your Business with Sharjah Publishing City (SPC Free Zone)
1,500+
Approved Business Activities
100%
Foreign Ownership
2017
Established
Business Overview
Everything You Need to Know About SPC Free Zone
What is SPC Free Zone?
- A multi-sector free zone in Sharjah
- Originally established with a focus on publishing and media, SPC Free Zone has since expanded to support a wide range of commercial activities.
- Established in 2017 under the Sharjah Book Authority
Banking facilities available
- Corporate bank account support is available for eligible businesses. Final account approval is subject to the selected bank's KYC, compliance and eligibility requirements.
Processing time
- Licence issuance may be completed within 24 hours once the required documents have been submitted and approved.
- The overall company formation timeline depends on the business activity, documentation, workspace and visa requirements.
Who is it for?
- Entrepreneurs, startups, and solo founders
- SMEs and trading companies
- E-commerce businesses
- Consultants and professional service providers
- International investors expanding into the UAE
Types of business activities allowed
- 1,500+ SPC freezone activities across publishing, trading, e-commerce, consultancy, IT and media.
- General and specialised trading, including import and export
- Multiple activities can be combined under a single Licence
Key advantages
- 100% foreign ownership
- Potential 0% Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income
- 100% repatriation of capital and profits
- Dual-licence option for eligible businesses, subject to applicable requirements and approvals
- No stated minimum paid-up capital for standard setup (capital requirements can vary depending on the company structure and activity)
Eligibility
- Individuals and corporate entities from different nationalities, subject to applicable eligibility requirements.
- No UAE national shareholder or local sponsor is required for eligible businesses.
Required Documents
- Passport copies of all shareholders, directors, and managers
- Visa and Emirates ID copy (if applicable)
- Proof of address (recent utility bill or bank statement)
- Completed application form
- Board resolution and incorporation documents (for corporate shareholders)
Freezone Cost Calculator
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Why SPC?
Why Choose Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone
Strategic Sharjah Location
Sharjah is well connected with Dubai and Dubai’s main transport routes and it is easy for companies to establish in SPC especially if they are operating in both emirates.
Broad SPC Free Zone Activities
Choose from a wide range of approved SPC freezone activities across trading, publishing, media, e-commerce, technology and professional services.
100% Foreign Ownership
Eligible investors can complete SPC company formation with full foreign ownership and no local shareholder requirement.
Flexible Setup Options
Workspace and licensing options are available for different business sizes and operating needs, supporting every stage of SPC business setup.
Publishing & Creative Heritage
SPC's origins in publishing and media continue to support businesses in creative and content-focused sectors.
Startup-Friendly Structure
The range of SPC freezone activities and workspace options makes SPC suitable for startups, SMEs and growing businesses.
Available Licence Types
Types of Licences Offered
Trade Licence
For businesses involved in buying, selling, import, export and distribution of approved goods.
General Trading Licence
For businesses trading across multiple approved product categories under the applicable licence structure.
Service Licence
For professional and service-based businesses, including consultancy, IT, management and other approved services.
Publishing Licence
For approved publishing, printing and related activities.
Media Licence
For approved media, creative and content-related activities.
E-commerce Licence
For businesses conducting approved commercial activities through online channels.
How It Works
How to Setup a Business in SPC Freezone
Choose Your Activity
Choose from more than 1,500 SPC approved freezone activities in the fields of trading, publishing, media, e-commerce and professional services. It is important to check this selection to ensure that it aligns with your company’s operations. This will help you determine what your company can legally do and will help determine your License category. SPC enables related activities to be grouped together under one Licence.
Choose Your Business Structure and Licence
Complete the application electronically and upload the required documents through SPC’s secure customer portal. These are normally copies of all shareholders, directors & managers’ passports, proof of address & Emirates ID/ copy of visa for existing residents. Additionally, corporate shareholders will have to submit a corporate resolution and articles of incorporation.
Receive Approval and Your Licence
Once documents are verified, SPC issues your trade Licence along with the Certificate of Formation, MOA, Share Certificate, and lease agreement. Approval and licensure can take place within 24 hours of the application, and the rest of SPC company formation can take 5-10 working days. An additional 1-2 weeks is added for visa processing (if required).
Infrastructure
Office & Infrastructure Options
Flexi Desk
A flexible workspace option that provides a registered business address and access to shared facilities. Visa eligibility depends on the selected package and applicable SPC requirements.
Office Space
Furnished or unfurnished private offices starting around 17 sqm, scaling to fit larger teams. Office availability and pricing depend on the selected workspace, size and package.
Warehousing
Dedicated storage and light industrial units for General Trading, e-commerce, and logistics businesses needing physical stock space, priced separately from the Licence fee.
Compliance
Annual Renewal & Compliance
Have Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions About SPC Free Zone
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