SPC Company Setup in Sharjah:
Licence, Workspace and Visas
SPC, the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, was established in 2017 as the world’s first free zone dedicated to publishing, linked to the Sharjah Book Authority. Its licences cover far more than publishing, including e-commerce, trading, IT and consultancy, and it can issue a dual licence for mainland operations. Maven& checks your activity, licence and tax position first, then handles your licence, visas and bank account.
- Foreign ownership available
- Dual mainland and free zone licence option
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- SPC company setup partner
Foreign ownership
Free zone companies in SPC are generally open to full foreign ownership.
Licence routes to compare
A free zone licence, or a dual licence that also covers mainland operations.
Team for licence, visas and bank
One consultant handles your licence, residence visas, PRO work and bank account introductions.
- Who SPC suits
Businesses that suit a SPC company
Publishers and printers
Publishing, printing and content businesses that fit the zone’s original focus.
E-publishing and digital content businesses
Digital publishers using the dedicated e-publishing licence.
E-commerce and trading companies
Online sellers and traders using SPC’s broader activity list.
IT, consulting and creative firms
Consultancies and creative businesses that want a Sharjah free zone base.
What are the main SPC rules and tax points?
A SPC licence suits many businesses, but it comes with rules on premises, approvals and tax that are worth checking before you commit.
- Authority: SPC is a free zone linked to the Sharjah Book Authority, set up for publishing and related industries.
- Dual licence: SPC is authorised to issue a dual licence that covers both the free zone and the mainland, subject to the activity.
- Activities: a licence can combine several activities, and some need extra approvals.
- Mainland trading: without a dual licence, an SPC free zone licence does not automatically allow unrestricted mainland trading.
- Corporate tax: 0% applies only to qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
- SPC vs mainland
SPC vs Dubai mainland company
Choose SPC if its location, licences and premises fit your business. Choose the mainland if you will sell directly to UAE customers.
| Feature | SPC | Dubai mainland (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% for most activities |
| Selling in the UAE market | Free zone licence: inside the zone. Dual licence: mainland operations as well | Directly, anywhere in the UAE |
| Premises | Office or flexible space in Sharjah Publishing City | Physical office with Ejari |
| Corporate tax | 0% only on qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person, 9% above AED 375,000 otherwise | 9% above AED 375,000 |
| Best for | Publishing, content, e-commerce and consulting businesses | Businesses serving UAE customers directly |
See mainland company formation or read the free zone vs mainland guide.
- Company structures
Three ways to set up in SPC
Establishment (FZE)
For solo owners
- One shareholder
- Separate legal entity in the zone
- Premises sized to your visa plan
- Dual licence option for mainland activity
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Company (FZ Co.)
For partners and co-founders
- Two or more shareholders
- Separate legal entity in the zone
- Shareholding set out in the MoA
- Same premises and visa rules apply
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
a Company
For existing businesses
- Extends a company incorporated elsewhere
- Parent company documents need attestation
- Licensed under the parent company name
- The parent company carries the liability
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does SPC company setup cost?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your licence type, activity, premises and number of visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every SPC and service fee before you commit.
- SPC licence package and activity fees
- Office or flexible space in Sharjah Publishing City
- Establishment card and residence visas
- Annual licence renewal
- Accounting and reporting support
- PRO, bank account and tax registration support
- How it works
How to set up a SPC company in Sharjah in 5 steps
Choose activities and licence
We match your activities to the right SPC licence category and confirm your tax position.
Reserve your name
We reserve a compliant name and prepare the application for SPC.
Apply and secure premises
We submit the application and arrange an office or flexible space in Sharjah Publishing City.
Receive your SPC licence
After approvals and fees, SPC issues your trade licence and incorporation documents.
Visas, bank account and launch
We process the establishment card and residence visas, then introduce you to UAE banks and set up accounting and tax registration support.
Documents required for SPC company setup
Most setups need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing for your structure.
- Passport copy of every shareholder, director and manager
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copy, if you are a resident
- Three proposed names, in order of preference
- A short description of your business activities
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA and board resolution, attested
- Source of funds details, where the authority or bank asks for them
- Business plan or activity description, where required
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for SPC company setup in Sharjah
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right licence and tax position
Licence categories, premises rules and tax outcomes differ by activity. We check your licence type and your Qualifying Free Zone Person position before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- SPC FAQs
SPC company setup in Sharjah: frequently asked questions
SPC, the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, was established in 2017 as the world’s first free zone dedicated to publishing, and it is linked to the Sharjah Book Authority. Its activity list now covers e-commerce, trading, IT and consultancy as well. See all free zones.
Free zone companies in SPC are generally open to full foreign ownership. Some regulated activities need extra approvals.
The cost depends on your licence type, activity, premises and number of visas, so there is no single price. It combines the licence package, your premises, the establishment card and visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
SPC companies need space in the zone, which can be an office or a flexible arrangement depending on the licence. The choice can affect your visa quota, so we confirm the right option for your plans.
SPC can issue a dual licence that covers both the free zone and the mainland, depending on the activity. Without it, a free zone licence does not give unrestricted mainland trading rights. We confirm which route fits your customers.
Yes, it must register. A free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and 9% on other income above AED 375,000. A free zone licence does not by itself mean zero tax. See corporate tax registration and filing.
SPC licences cover publishing, e-publishing, service, e-commerce and trading activities, and one licence can combine several activities. We match your activities to the right licence before applying.
The timeline depends on your activity, structure and documents, and on any approvals your activity needs. Visas and the bank account follow the licence. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. A SPC company can sponsor residence visas for owners and employees, with the number linked to your licence and premises. See the investor and partner visa.
Yes. Banks run Know Your Customer checks and the decision is theirs. We prepare the file and introduce you to suitable banks. See corporate bank account opening.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to set up your SPC company?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a setup plan built around your activity. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
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