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United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Company Formation in Sharjah Publishing City

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone)

Formation Time
1–2 business days
Min. Capital
AED 0 (No minimum)
Corporate Tax
0% qualifying income / 9% standard
Foreign Ownership
100%

Overview

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone), established under the Sharjah Book Authority, is the world's first specialized publishing and printing free zone, and one of the UAE's most dynamic modern business hubs. Located just 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport, SPC Free Zone offers a revolutionary dual-license facility that allows businesses to operate simultaneously in the Free Zone and across the UAE Mainland without leasing separate mainland premises. With over 1,500 permitted business activities, instant 2-hour digital license issuance, and packages supporting up to 20 residence visas, SPC is an elite destination for e-commerce, publishing, trading, and consulting entrepreneurs.

2-hour instant license issuance
Dual License (Free Zone + Mainland)
1,500+ combinable activities
Up to 20 visas on flexi-desk
0% QFZP tax potential

Why Choose Sharjah Publishing City

1

Unique Dual License option — operate in both Free Zone and UAE Mainland under a single corporate setup

2

Instant license issuance in as little as 2 hours through a fully digitized government portal

3

Over 1,500 permissible business activities combinable under one commercial license

4

Up to 20 residence visas permitted on shared flexi-desk and co-working packages

5

Prime location just 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311)

6

0% corporate tax on Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) income

Business Entity Types

EntityOwnershipDirectorsCapitalTaxBest For
FZ-LLC (Free Zone Limited Liability Company)100%1No minimum capital requirement0% QFZP qualifying income / 9% standard CIT above AED 375,000E-commerce, publishing, trading, media, digital services, IT, consulting
Dual License (Free Zone + Mainland Branch)100%1NoneFree Zone: 0% QFZP; Mainland branch: 9% CIT above AED 375,000Companies selling directly to UAE consumers and retail markets without an Emirati partner
Branch of Foreign / UAE Company100%1 managerNoneSubject to UAE Corporate Tax Law and PE rulesInternational publishers, printing houses, global e-commerce brands

Step-by-Step Formation Process

1

Application & Instant Approval

2 hours

Submit digital application on SPC portal with trade name and activities.

2

Digital Signature & License Issuance

Same day

Sign MOA electronically and receive SPC trade license and incorporation certificate.

3

Immigration Establishment Card

2–3 days

Issue establishment card to enable residence visa processing.

4

Residence Visa Processing

5–7 days

Process 2-year residence visa, complete medical screening and Emirates ID biometrics.

5

Corporate Bank Account Opening

1–3 weeks

Open multi-currency corporate bank account with UAE commercial bank.

Costs & Fees

Government / License FeeAED 9,250+
Our Service FeeUSD 1,800 – 3,200
Annual RenewalAED 8,250+

Fees are indicative and may vary based on business activity, entity type, and additional approvals required. Contact us for a precise custom quote.

Get Custom Quote

Banking

SPC Free Zone has established direct partnerships with leading UAE banks including Wio Bank, Mashreq Bank, and Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD). Customers benefit from pre-approved digital account pathways and fast-track compliance reviews.

Account Opening Time
1–3 weeks
Multi-Currency
Yes — multiple currencies supported

Recommended Banks

Wio BusinessMashreq BankCommercial Bank of Dubai (CBD)Emirates NBDFirst Abu Dhabi Bank

Tax Overview

Corporate Tax
0% on Qualifying Income; 9% on Non-Qualifying Income above AED 375,000
Personal Income Tax
0%
VAT / Sales Tax
5% standard VAT rate (exports of books, digital services, and foreign trade zero-rated)
Capital Gains Tax
0%
Withholding Tax
0%
Double Tax Treaties
137 countries

Companies qualifying as QFZPs pay 0% corporate tax on qualifying trading and service income. Small Business Relief is available for entities with revenue below AED 3,000,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SPC Free Zone Dual License?
The SPC Dual License allows you to obtain both a Free Zone trade license and a UAE Mainland branch license from the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) under a single corporate umbrella. This permits you to trade directly with domestic UAE mainland customers, bid on government contracts, and open mainland retail shops without leasing separate physical mainland premises.
How fast can I get a company formed in SPC Free Zone?
SPC Free Zone offers the fastest official turnaround in the UAE. Through its fully automated digital licensing portal, trade licenses can be approved and issued in as little as 2 hours.
Can I combine e-commerce and consultancy activities under one SPC license?
Yes. SPC Free Zone permits combining up to 5 business activities from completely different sectors (such as e-commerce, general trading, management consulting, and publishing) under a single trade license without additional fees.
How many visas can I get with an SPC Free Zone license?
SPC Free Zone offers flexible visa allocations. Depending on the package chosen, you can secure between 1 and 20 residence visas on co-working and flexi-desk lease options.
Where is SPC Free Zone located?
SPC Free Zone is located in Sharjah directly off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), approximately 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 10 minutes from Sharjah International Airport, providing seamless highway connectivity across the UAE.
Does an SPC Free Zone company pay 9% UAE corporate tax?
Under UAE Corporate Tax Law, an SPC company that meets QFZP conditions (maintaining economic substance, audited financials, and qualifying income from foreign or free zone clients) pays 0% corporate tax. If the company operates a mainland branch or transacts with the UAE domestic market, profits from those domestic activities are taxed at 9% on amounts exceeding AED 375,000.