SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City) – Business Setup in Sharjah, UAE
Launched in 2017 under the Sharjah Book Authority, SPC Free Zone sits alongside Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road—20 minutes from both Sharjah International Airport and Dubai International Airport. Designed first for publishing and creative media, the zone now hosts 1,500 + approved activities across trading, services, e-commerce, manufacturing, ICT and more. Unique selling points include day-one licence issuance, dual-licence capability (operate on the Sharjah mainland under the same trade name) and visa quotas that scale up to 20 visas on a single licence.
Why Choose SPC Free Zone?
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost-efficient packages | Zero-visa licence from AED 6,885, multi-visa bundles from AED 9 k–12 k |
| 100 % foreign ownership | Full capital & profit repatriation; no local partner needed |
| 0 % tax | No corporate or personal income tax; no import- or re-export duties |
| Fast track | E-licence, MOA & share certificates issued within one working day |
| Up to 20 visas | Scalable visa quota lets SMEs grow without relocating |
| Dual licence option | Add a Sharjah mainland permit under the same entity—no extra office required |
| 10-year licence | Long-term stability available for investors seeking reduced renewals |
| 24/7 facility access | Co-working desks, private offices & shell-and-core units, all open round-the-clock |
| Bank-account assistance | In-house banking desk streamlines corporate-account opening |
Licence Categories & Typical Uses
| Licence | What You Can Do | Visa Quota* |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial / Trading | Import, export, distribution, e-commerce | 0 – 20 |
| Services / Consultancy | Marketing, HR, IT, education, media, legal, etc. | 0 – 20 |
| Industrial | Light manufacturing, printing, packaging, assembly | 0 – 20 |
| General Trading | Multi-line trade in most goods (special approvals for pharma, alcohol, etc.) | 3 – 20 |
*Visa allotment depends on package selected.
Business Activities Highlights
SPC’s Activity Hub lets you mix up to three activity groups on one licence—ideal for hybrid ventures. Popular picks in 2024 include general trading, HR consultancy, interior-design engineering, IT services, online publishing, e-commerce, logistics and F&B.
Company Formation in Five Steps
- Choose activities & package – decide visa quota and workspace.
- Reserve trade name & submit KYC (passport, photo, proof of address).
- E-sign incorporation docs – MOA, share register, lease.
- Pay fees & receive Day-1 licence (PDF) plus digital corporate kit.
- Apply for visas (if applicable): Establishment Card → e-Visa → medical & Emirates ID → residence stamp.
All steps can be completed 100 % remotely via SPC’s smart portal or through your consultant.
Required Documents
| Individual Shareholder | Corporate Shareholder |
|---|---|
| Passport copy & photo | Notarised Certificate of Incorporation |
| UAE entry stamp / visa copy (if in UAE) | Memorandum & Articles |
| Proof of address | Board Resolution & PoA |
| — | Certificate of Incumbency ( ≤ 3 months ) |
All corporate docs must be notarised and legalised; originals are due within two months of licence issuance.
Visa Workflow & Timeline
| Step | Days | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration Card | 2-3 | Establishment Card |
| e-Visa Issue | 3-5 | Entry Permit |
| Medical + ID Biometric | 1 | Test results + ID app |
| Passport Stamping | 1-2 | 2-year Residence Visa |
Staying outside the UAE for 6 + months cancels an active visa (standard federal rule).
Facilities Snapshot
- Flexi Desk – shared hot-desk, mail handling, 4 hrs meeting-room use / month.
- Dedicated Desk – fixed workstation, 24/7 access, visa quota upgrade.
- Private Offices – lockable units from 10 m² upwards, fully furnished.
- Shell-and-core Floors – tailor-fit space for large enterprises or fulfilment centres.
How Smart Business Creation Helps
- Package selection & cost optimisation
- Name approval, document drafting & notarisation
- Licence issuance within 24 hrs
- Visa processing & Emirates ID
- Bank-account opening with leading UAE banks
- Ongoing PRO services, renewals & dual-licence applications
