The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) is the government authority responsible for issuing trade licenses in Mainland Sharjah. It regulates all commercial and industrial activities, acting as the gateway to the UAE’s manufacturing and logistics hub. Setting up a business here provides a strategic base with significantly lower operational costs compared to Dubai. Under current FDI laws, foreign investors enjoy 100% ownership without a local sponsor. As of 2026, we specialize in SEDD’s digital licensing and Tasdeeq registration.
A SEDD license is your legal authorization to operate within Sharjah’s mainland market. Issued by the Sharjah Economic Development Department, this license is the “Industrial Gold Standard” for the UAE. Unlike Free Zones, a Mainland Sharjah company allows you to:
Benefit from significantly lower licensing fees, office rents, and warehousing costs compared to neighboring emirates.
Sell products and services directly to consumers (B2C) and businesses (B2B) across Sharjah, Dubai, and the wider UAE.
Access Sharjah’s dedicated industrial zones (Sajaa, Emirates Industrial City) with world-class logistics infrastructure.
Foreign investors maintain full 100% ownership for over 1,200+ commercial and industrial activities without a local sponsor.
Sharjah is the industrial backbone of the UAE, offering stable economic policies and specialized licenses for manufacturing and international trade.
For manufacturing, packaging, and production. Note: Sharjah offers subsidized energy rates and world-class zones for industrial entities.
For general trading, contracting, retail, and e-commerce import/export businesses.
For service-based firms, artisans, consultancies, and technical service providers.
Allows for the import, export, and trading of unlimited goods under a single license, ideal for large-scale distribution.
Securing a SEDD License is the foundational step; however, operational legality in the UAE is governed by post-incorporation mandates. Al Arabiya Group ensures your entity adheres to the latest Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and CBUAE regulations to prevent administrative penalties. All SEDD license holders are required to obtain a Tax Registration Number (TRN).
The Mandate: Mandatory registration for all SEDD entities under Federal Decree-Law No. 47.
The Deadline: Completion required within 90 days of issuance to prevent administrative penalties.
The Value: Avoid the AED 10,000 late-filing fine with Al Arabiya’s expert FTA integration.
The Mandate: CBUAE-compliant account opening leveraging your SEDD Trade License.
The Partners: Direct application pathways with Bank of Sharjah, Sharjah Islamic Bank, and major UAE banks.
The Value: Fast-tracked KYC approvals by aligning your business activities with bank risk appetites.
The Mandate: Long-term 10-year residency pathways for high-capital Mainland business investors.
The Benefit: Full family sponsorship and residency security without the need for a local sponsor.
The Value: Strategic license structuring to meet ICP thresholds for immediate Golden Visa eligibility.
The Mandate: Mandatory filing for “Relevant Activities” under Anti-Money Laundering and Economic Substance Regulations.
The Deadline: Annual notifications and substance reporting to the Ministry of Economy portals.
The Value: Protection from substantial non-compliance fines through our rigorous audit protocols.
The SEDD has digitized the setup process to facilitate rapid business entry. At Al Arabiya Group, we fast-track your application in 5 simple steps:
We assist you in setting up your digital investor profile for secure government liaison and initial registration.
Selection and reservation of your trade name according to 2026 SEDD standards, followed by securing Initial Approval.
Drafting the Memorandum of Association (MOA) to legally confirm the shareholding structure and completing the notarization process.
Securing a physical office or warehouse to generate your Tasdeeq (Sharjah Municipality attested lease), which is mandatory for license issuance.
Final payment of government fees and issuance of your SEDD Trade License, allowing for immediate trading and bank account opening.
FAQ's
No. Under Sharjah’s updated foreign investment laws, you can own 100% of your company for most commercial and industrial activities. A Local Service Agent (LSA) may be required for certain professional licenses, but they hold no equity.
A basic Mainland license typically starts between AED 12,000 – AED 15,000, excluding office rent and visa fees. For a precise breakdown, use our Cost Calculator.
Yes, we specialize in company migrations and can help transition your operations to the Sharjah Mainland to access local markets and government tenders.
Yes. Most professional service activities now allow 100% foreign ownership, with a Local Service Agent (LSA) potentially required for specific registrations to manage administrative tasks.
Tasdeeq is the Sharjah Municipality’s system for attesting tenancy contracts. A physical office or warehouse space is generally required to obtain Tasdeeq, which is essential for your license. We can help find compliant options.
The 9% Corporate Tax applies to profits exceeding AED 375,000. Registration with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is mandatory for all businesses within 90 days of license issuance to avoid penalties.
