SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone) is a UAE government-regulated free zone in the Emirate of Sharjah, established under Amiri Decree No. 14 of 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. It is operated by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), established under Decree No. 13 of 2013. Situated on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) – 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport – SPC Free Zone issues trade
licenses within 24 hours through a fully digital process, permits 100% foreign ownership across 1,500+ business activities, and covers e-commerce, general trading, and professional services.
Under the 2026 federal regulatory framework, SPC licenses are fully integrated with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and the Ministry of Economy, allowing for immediate TRN applications and corporate banking with digital platforms like Wio Business.
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Based in Sharjah, SPC Free Zone blends 24-hour licensing, digital government services, and a central location for founders. Join a registry of. over 10,000 active companies. Select from 1,500+ business activities and start at a low price point without losing proximity to Dubai International Airport. . Still deciding between SPC and SHAMS? Read our detailed SHAMS Free Zone vs SPC Free Zone comparison.
Situated directly on the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). This placement ensures your distribution base is 15 minutes from Dubai and provides direct road access to the Northern Emirates.
Secure your trade license within 24 hours through a 100% digital process. You do not need to be physically present in the UAE for the initial company registration phase.
Combine up to 5 distinct business activities from different categories (Professional, Commercial, and Service) under a single license fee. Most jurisdictions require separate licenses for varied categories.
Access high residency visa allocations without leasing a physical office. A co-working space agreement allows for up to 100 residency visa quotas for your staff and shareholders.
Apply for an additional permit to trade directly on the Sharjah Mainland. This removes the requirement for a separate local branch office or a local service agent. Learn more about setting up a Sharjah Mainland trade permit.
SPC licenses are widely accepted by digital banks like Wio Business and Mashreq Neo. This ensures rapid KYC approval for international investors using the Dubai Unified License (DUL) standards.
SPC Free Zone permits over 1,500 business activities across professional, commercial, and media categories. The most commonly registered activity groups include:
| Activity Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Information Technology | IT consultancy, software development, cybersecurity, app development |
| E-commerce & Digital Retail | Online stores, dropshipping, digital marketplaces |
| General Trading | Import/export of goods, multi-category trading |
| Media & Content | Content creation, digital publishing, video production, PR |
| Professional Services | Management consultancy, HR services, marketing, legal advisory |
| Education & Training | Online education platforms, corporate training |
| Logistics & Distribution | Freight forwarding, supply chain management |
| Finance & Fintech | Financial advisory, payment solutions, accounting services |
Businesses can combine up to 5 activities from different categories under a single SPC license — including mixing Professional, Commercial, and Service activities with no additional government fee.
We manage the application for every license structure authorized by the Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone Authority. Select the category that aligns with your 2026 operational model:
Authorized for service providers, consultants, and sole traders. This license permits you to offer non-physical skills such as Management Consultancy, IT Advisory, Marketing Management, and HR Services.
Key Advantage: You can legally invoice Mainland UAE companies directly for services rendered from your Sharjah base.
Entity Benefit: Allows for 100% foreign ownership and zero physical office requirement.
Permits the import, export, distribution, and storage of specific physical goods. SPC Free Zone allows you to select up to 5 related or unrelated activities under a single commercial license.
Customs Linkage: Commercial entities receive a customs code to facilitate the movement of goods through Sharjah and Dubai ports.
Condition: Trading physical goods directly with Mainland UAE consumers (B2C) requires a local agent or the activation of a Dual License permit.
Specifically designed for digital founders and online retail platforms. This license permits the sale of products or services through websites and mobile applications.
Logistics integration: SPC provides frameworks for shipping and warehousing through third-party providers, allowing for a fully digital retail operation.
Tax Note: 0% Corporate Tax applies to "Qualifying Income" from international sales.
Allows for the trading of a wide range of varied goods under one legal document. You can import, export, and sell different product types—from textiles to electronics—without requiring a new license for each category.
Structure: Ideal for diversified trading firms requiring a high-credibility trade license at a low entry cost.
Governed in partnership with the Sharjah Book Authority, this license is authorized for firms engaged in content creation, printing, and digital distribution.
Ecosystem: Grants access to specialized media hubs and networking events within the Sharjah Publishing City district.
Firms in the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone must adhere to UAE federal laws and specific emirate-level mandates. Al Arabiya Group manages these technical filings to maintain your trade license validity and prevent administrative penalties. Under the 2026 regulatory update, SPC entities are fully integrated into the federal data-sharing ecosystem, ensuring transparency with tax and immigration authorities.
Every SPC company must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and obtain a Tax Registration Number (TRN), regardless of revenue levels or “Qualifying Income” status.
The Deadline: You must complete your TRN registration within 90 days of license issuance.
The Fine: Failure to register within this window results in an automatic administrative penalty of AED 10,000.
Tax Rate: A 0% rate applies strictly to “Qualifying Income.” All other taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 is subject to a 9% rate.
SPC entities conducting “Relevant Activities”—such as Distribution and Service Centre Business, Headquarters Business, or Holding Company operations—must file annual ESR notifications.
Requirement: You must demonstrate that your Core Income-Generating Activities (CIGA) take place within the UAE.
Risk: Non-compliance leads to financial fines starting from AED 50,000 and potential trade license suspension.
The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone Authority mandates the disclosure of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (any individual owning or controlling 25% or more of the company).
Compliance: You must maintain a UBO register at your registered office and update the authority within 15 days of any change in shareholding or management.
As of 2026, SPC entities can apply for a Sharjah Mainland Trade Permit. This allow you to trade physical goods directly with onshore consumers without appointing a local agent.
Fiscal Rule: Revenue generated via the Mainland permit is classified as “Non-Qualifying Income” and is subject to the standard 9% Corporate Tax rate.
We assist with opening accounts at UAE banks by matching your ISIC activity codes with current banking risk appetites. SPC licenses are accepted by digital platforms like Wio Business and Mashreq Neo. We use your digital trade license credentials to facilitate the Know Your Customer (KYC) approval process.
Affordable UAE free zone company set up packages with transparent pricing. Choose the right jurisdiction and license type for your business goals.
We manage every stage of your company formation through a structured four-step path. Our team ensures your 2026 setup follows all local rules mandated by the Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone Authority.
We map your business operations to the exact activity codes used by the authority. You can select up to 5 distinct business activities from different categories under one license fee. During this stage, we determine your required residency visa quota. You choose between co-working space agreements or private office leases to satisfy the federal physical address mandate. we manage the sponsorship applications for your family members. Learn more about our UAE residency visa services
We secure your business name through the Sharjah government portals. Our team verifies that your chosen name adheres to the UAE Federal Commercial Companies Law to prevent delays. We submit your passport copy and initiate the digital identity verification via UAE PASS to complete the security clearance and Know Your Customer (KYC) approval stage.
We submit your files to the SPC centralized registry for final review. Upon approval and fee clearance, you receive your digital trade license for 2026. This electronic document package includes the Memorandum of Association (MoA) and your office lease agreement. The license features a unique identifier that allows you to open corporate bank accounts with digital platforms like Wio Business immediately.
We start the residency process for you and your staff by registering your company with the Sharjah immigration E-Channel system. This stage includes the issuance of the entry permit, the mandatory medical fitness test, and the biometric fingerprinting for the Emirates ID. Once your visa is stamped, we manage the sponsorship applications for your family members and domestic staff.
Frequently Asked Questions About SPC Free Zone
Yes. Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone permits the registration of up to five distinct business activities from different categories—such as Trading, Service, and Media—under a single trade license. No extra government fees are charged for combining these diversified operations. This allows founders to manage multiple revenue streams under one legal entity.
No. The incorporation process for an SPC entity is 100% digital. Al Arabiya Group manages the trade name reservation and license issuance remotely through the authority portal. You receive your digital corporate documents within 24 hours without traveling to Sharjah. Physical presence is only required for the mandatory medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometric scanning during the residency visa stage.
A zero-visa SPC trade license starts from AED 6,875 (Approx.) for certain packages.For setups requiring residency visas, packages typically start from AED 14,500. Use our UAE business setup cost calculator to get a tailored quote. This excludes external costs for the medical fitness test, Emirates ID, and
Sharjah immigration E-Channel registration.
An SPC Free Zone license paired with a co-working space agreement allows for a quota of up to 100 residency visas. This is the highest visa allocation available in the UAE without the mandate to lease a large physical office. This structure permits rapid team scaling while maintaining low operational costs.
Yes. You can apply for a Dual License permit through the SPC authority. This permit allows your Free Zone entity to trade physical goods and provide services on the Sharjah Mainland without appointing a local agent or opening a separate branch office.
SPC Free Zone is located in the Emirate of Sharjah, not Dubai.
However, it sits directly on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311),
placing it 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport. Companies
registered in SPC hold a Sharjah-issued trade license, not a Dubai
license.
SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City) and SHAMS (Sharjah Media City)
are two separate free zones in Sharjah. SPC specialises in publishing,
e-commerce, general trading, and professional services, while SHAMS
focuses on media and creative industries. Both are governed under
Sharjah authorities and offer 100% foreign ownership.
Yes. SPC Free Zone licenses are accepted by several UAE banks
including digital platforms like Wio Business and Mashreq Neo.
Al Arabiya Group matches your ISIC activity codes to current bank
risk appetites to streamline the KYC approval process.
Yes. SPC Free Zone offers a dedicated E-commerce License specifically
designed for online retail and digital platforms. It includes
frameworks for third-party logistics and warehousing, and the 0%
corporate tax rate applies to qualifying income from international
e-commerce sales.
