Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone)
SPC Free Zone is Sharjah's flagship publishing-and-creative hub that also caters to trading, e-commerce, IT, and consultancy across 2,000+ activities. Its pay-as-you-go model publishes a clear add-on fee menu, and SPC is authorized to issue a dual license (Free Zone + Mainland), making it attractive for founders who want Sharjah cost advantages without giving up mainland access.
From
AED 5,750
Established
2017
Companies
16,000
Max Visas
20
Banking
Moderate
SPC Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-commerce License (0 Visa) | AED 5,750 | 0 | None | AED 5,750 | AED 5,750 |
| Pay-As-You-Go License (0 Visa) | AED 6,875 | 0 | None | AED 6,875 | AED 6,875 |
| 1 Investor Visa Package | AED 6,875 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 14,610 | AED 11,910 |
| 2 Visa Package | AED 6,875 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 19,425 | AED 16,505 |
| 4 Visa Team Package | AED 6,875 | 4 | Flexi Desk | AED 29,055 | AED 26,135 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Transparent pay-as-you-go pricing: 0-visa license at AED 6,875 with published add-on fees for each visa component
- Low promotional entry: e-commerce packages from AED 5,750
- Dual license available: authorized to issue combined Free Zone + Mainland license
- Broad activity catalog: over 2,000 business activities, up to 5 per license
- Fast residency: visa issued in 5 working days (subject to terms)
- Published facility rates: offices from AED 750/sqm unfurnished, AED 900/sqm furnished
- Strong banking ecosystem: Mashreq, Wio, RAKBANK, Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic, CBI, CBD, and more
- Flexible office: virtual offices or flexi-desk options available — no traditional office required
Watch out for
- Price ambiguity: promotions from AED 5,750 vs pay-as-you-go baseline of AED 6,875 — different entry points depending on package
- Per-visa costs add up quickly: allocation AED 1,600 + visa/EID AED 2,530 + medical AED 365 per person
- Dependent visas are expensive: AED 5,000 per dependent plus AED 3,025 deposit for investor sponsors
- Banking speed claims (3 working days) depend on bank KYC — real timelines can be longer
- Audit requirements may apply depending on company type and corporate tax status
Visa Information
Max Quota
20 visas
SPC markets 'unlimited visas' on flexi-desk (T&Cs apply). Concrete quotas vary by facility; up to ~20 on select packages.
Processing Time
5 days
Renewal Cost
AED 4,495
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 5,000
AED 5,000 per dependent. Investor sponsors also pay AED 3,025 deposit. Processing: 7-9 working days.
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 2,530
Investor Visa
AED 2,530
Medical Standard
AED 365
Emirates Id Typing
AED 0
Residency issued in 5 working days per SPC promotions. Broader typical window: 5-10 working days depending on nationality and medical clearance.
Banking
Partner Banks
SPC markets corporate account setup in 3 working days after licensing via banking partnerships. Practical timelines depend on activity risk, shareholder nationality, business proof, and minimum balance requirements. Multiple banking and installment-plan partners available.
Features
Mainland Trading
SPC is authorized to issue a dual license (Free Zone + Mainland) per UAE government portal.
Physical Office Required
Virtual offices or flexi-desk options available. No traditional office required.
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
Shared Ownership
Up to 100 shareholders under one license (conditions apply).
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
Online-first application and portal-based services.
Co-working Available
Audit Required
Audited accounts submission required. Timelines range from 90 days to 6 months after FY end. Verify current rules for your company type.
Share Capital Requirement
None required for most setups (varies by activity and banking requirements).
Easy Payment Plan
0% installment plans for affiliated bank credit cardholders (Emirates Islamic, Emirates NBD, CBD, RAKBANK, Deem Finance).
Special Ecosystems
Recent Developments
- Jan 2026: UAE Ministry of Economy portal updated — highlights 1,500+ activities and dual license authorization
- Oct 2025: SPC and Mashreq Bank sign MoU at SIF-WIC 2025 to improve SME banking access
- Nov 2024: SPC enters 2-year strategic partnership with Emirates NBD for enhanced banking solutions
- Feb 2024: SPC launches instant licence (45 minutes) with dual license capability
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an SPC Free Zone license cost in 2026?
SPC offers promotions from AED 5,750 (e-commerce). The pay-as-you-go baseline is AED 6,875 for a 1-year license with 0 visas. Visa add-ons are published separately.
What are SPC's published visa add-on costs?
Visa allocation AED 1,600, establishment card AED 640, e-channel AED 2,280, investor visa with Emirates ID AED 2,530, medical test AED 365. Change-of-status AED 700 if applicable.
How much does an SPC dependent visa cost?
AED 5,000 per dependent. Investor sponsors also pay a AED 3,025 deposit. Processing takes 7-9 working days.
How many business activities does SPC support?
Over 2,000 business activities. You can choose up to 5 activities on the pay-as-you-go license.
Does SPC offer a dual license for mainland + free zone?
Yes. SPC is authorized to issue a dual license combining mainland and free zone, confirmed by the UAE government portal and Gulf News reporting.
How long does it take to get a UAE residency visa through SPC?
SPC promotions state 5 working days. Typical range is 5-10 working days depending on nationality and medical clearance.
How long does it take to open a corporate bank account via SPC?
SPC claims 3 working days after obtaining a license. Real timelines depend on bank KYC — activity risk, shareholder profiles, and documentation quality all affect speed.
Ready to set up with SPC?
Get a personalised quote for your SPC business setup. Compare packages and find the best deal.
Starting From
AED 5,750 /yr