Sharjah Publishing City
SPC Free Zone
Instant Licence in ~45 minutes and dual-licence access to Sharjah mainland.
AED 4,999
Licence from
~45 min
Instant Licence issuance
2,500+
Licensable activities
Dual
Licence option
Overview
SPC Free Zone — Sharjah Publishing City — is one of the fastest company setup options in the UAE, with an Instant Licence issued in about 45 minutes, e-publishing licences from AED 4,999, and standard licences from AED 6,875. Founded in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi and operated alongside the Sharjah Book Authority, SPC started as the world's first publishing free zone and now licenses 2,500+ activities across publishing, e-commerce, consulting, trading and services, with a dual-licence option that adds Sharjah mainland market access.
For foreign investors, entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers, and e-commerce or consulting businesses that want a fast, low-friction UAE setup, this guide breaks down SPC licence costs, visa packages, the Instant Licence process, how SPC compares with SHAMS and SAIF, setup steps, required documents, banking access, and current tax rules. Evolva is a registered SPC partner and handles business setup in SPC end to end.
SPC Free Zone — Quick Facts
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (~25 min from Dubai) |
| Starting cost | AED 4,999 e-publishing / AED 5,750 publishing / AED 6,875 standard |
| All-in with 1 visa | ~AED 13,165; 2 visas ~AED 17,660; 3 visas ~AED 22,155 |
| Setup time | Instant Licence in ~45 minutes; visas add ~1 week |
| Activities | 2,500+; up to 5 per licence; up to 100 shareholders |
| Best for | Publishing, e-commerce, consultants, services, startups |
| Banking access | Medium — depends on activity, documents, shareholder profile |
| Signature feature | Instant Licence + dual licence (free zone and mainland) |
Figures are indicative and subject to authority changes — confirm current fees with your consultant.
Should You Choose SPC Free Zone?
Choose SPC if any of the following apply to your business.
The Fastest Licence in the UAE
Incorporated in under an hour, with flexible office space options like flexi-desks and private offices to suit different business needs.
Publishing, Content or Digital Services
You are in publishing, content, e-commerce, consulting or digital services, and want sector-focused support.
Future Mainland Access
You may need Sharjah mainland access later — the dual licence covers both, and a branch can be registered for a UAE or international parent company.
Multiple Co-Founders
Choose the right structure from SPC's three business structures: free zone establishment, FZC (up to seven shareholders), or branch.
Look Elsewhere If…
SPC is not the right fit for every business. Consider an alternative if you need heavy logistics, warehousing or airfreight — SAIF Zone fits better; if your brand needs an LLC name without the FZ suffix — SHAMS Free Zone is worth comparing; if you must invoice UAE mainland clients directly without a dual licence — Sharjah mainland company formation fits; or if your activity is regulated, such as finance, insurance or health, where different approvals apply.
SPC Free Zone Licence Cost
| Package | Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| E-Publishing licence (0 visa) | AED 4,999 | Licence, MOA, share certificate |
| Publishing licence (0 visa) | AED 5,750 | Licence, MOA, share certificate |
| Standard licence (0 visa) | AED 6,875 | Licence + co-working (AED 375) |
| Licence + 1 visa, all-in | ~AED 13,165 | Licence, visa, establishment card, e-channel |
| Licence + 2 visas, all-in | ~AED 17,660 | As above, 2 visa quota |
| Licence + 3 visas, all-in | ~AED 22,155 | As above, 3 visa quota |
For some SPC licences, office space is not mandatory, and qualifying businesses may receive free office space — a potential saving of AED 15,000–25,000 depending on the package and approved activities.
Itemised Cost Breakdown
| Cost Item | Estimate | Included in Package? |
|---|---|---|
| Licence fee (up to 5 activities) | AED 4,999–6,875 | Yes |
| Establishment card + e-channel | AED 2,000–2,500 | Separate add-on |
| Investor / employee visa | AED 3,000–5,500 per visa | Separate add-on |
| Medical + Emirates ID + insurance | AED 1,500–2,500 per person | Separate |
| Office upgrade from co-working | Package dependent | Co-working in standard package |
| Renewal (year 2+) | Similar to licence fee | — |
Hidden costs to budget for: the zero-visa headline price excludes the establishment card and immigration file needed for any visa, medical/Emirates ID/stamping per person, office upgrades as visa count grows, and renewal pricing that may exceed promotional year-one rates.
How Fast Is the SPC Instant Licence?
SPC issues its Instant Licence in about 45 minutes for most service, consulting and e-commerce activities when documents are complete — the fastest incorporation in the UAE. While the licence itself is issued quickly, the broader company formation process typically takes 5 to 7 working days, or 7 to 10 working days when post-licence steps needed to start business operations are included, and Evolva can guide you through the entire process.
The Instant Licence package bundles the business licence, Memorandum of Association, lease agreement and share certificate in one issuance, which keeps company formation streamlined. Complex activities needing external approvals take longer, and visa processing adds about a week regardless of licence speed.
SPC vs SHAMS vs SAIF
| Factor | SPC | SHAMS | SAIF Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence from | AED 4,999 | AED 5,750 | AED 12,000+ |
| Setup speed | ~45 min Instant Licence | 2–3 days online | 3–7 days |
| Best for | Publishing, e-commerce, consultants | Media, creative, services | Logistics, trading, airfreight |
| Signature feature | Dual licence (mainland + FZ) | LLC without FZ suffix | On-airport location |
| Shareholders | Up to 100 | Up to 50 visas/licence | Physical infrastructure |
Speak to an Evolva consultant to compare every Sharjah free zone against your specific business activity, budget and visa requirements.
Where Is SPC Free Zone?
SPC is located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road in Sharjah, about 25 minutes from Dubai, near Sharjah International Airport and with convenient access to Dubai International Airport and markets across the Middle East. Many owners live in Dubai and operate on an SPC licence. The free zone operates alongside the Sharjah Book Authority, whose landmark headquarters anchors the district.
How to Set Up a Company in SPC Free Zone
SPC's five-step process is built around its signature Instant Licence.
- 1
Choose activities, licence type, and company structure
Pick up to 5 of SPC's 2,500+ activities, then select the right company structure — free zone establishment, free zone company, or branch. Evolva also checks whether the dual licence (free zone + Sharjah mainland) makes sense for your market.
- 2
Reserve the trade name
Three options submitted; approval typically same day.
- 3
Submit KYC documents
Passport copy and details per shareholder — up to 100 supported — are needed for an SPC company, while branches add certificate of incorporation, MOA, board resolution and incumbency certificate.
- 4
Receive your Instant Licence
For most activities, the licence, MOA, lease and share certificate issue in about 45 minutes, provided the application includes all documents requested by the authority.
- 5
Visas and bank account
Establishment card, e-channel, stamping and Emirates ID take about a week. Evolva supports clients through the entire process, including preparing the bank compliance file in parallel.
Documents Required for SPC Company Formation
No paid-up share capital deposit is required.
Individual Shareholders
- Passport copy (6+ months validity)
- Passport photo
- Contact and address details per shareholder and manager
Corporate Shareholders & Branches
- Certificate of incorporation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Board resolution approving the new company
- Incumbency certificate
Tax and Compliance for SPC Companies
SPC companies fall within UAE corporate tax scope like every free zone entity. A qualifying free zone person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on other taxable income above AED 375,000 — most internationally-focused SPC companies keep the 0% rate after a compliance check, but corporate tax registration with the FTA is mandatory even at 0%. VAT registration applies once UAE taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 a year. Economic Substance Regulations were cancelled for financial years ending after 31 December 2022, so no ESR filings are due. Accounting records should be kept from day one.
Banking for SPC Companies
Medium difficulty. Once the SPC entity is formed, companies can apply for a UAE corporate bank account, subject to bank review — suited to companies seeking access to regional and global markets. Banks review activity, shareholder profile, contracts or invoices, website, source of funds and expected transactions; no free zone can guarantee approval. Digital-first banks typically decide within days for clean service businesses; traditional banks take 2–4 weeks. Evolva prepares the compliance file alongside the licence application to support a successful outcome.
Why Choose Evolva for Your SPC Business Setup?
As a registered SPC partner, Evolva takes you from Instant Licence to visas and bank account in one coordinated process.
Registered SPC Partner
We hold direct partner status with the SPC Free Zone Authority, streamlining your Instant Licence application.
Dual Licence Guidance
We assess whether SPC's dual licence — free zone plus Sharjah mainland — makes sense for your market before you commit.
Fully Transparent Pricing
You see the full itemised cost — licence, visas, add-ons and our service fee — before you commit.
One Dedicated Consultant
A single point of contact manages your case from consultation to licence delivery.
Bank Compliance File Prepared in Parallel
We build your banking compliance file alongside your licence application to save weeks later.
End-to-End Service
Licence application, document preparation, government liaison, visa processing and bank introduction, all handled for you.
SPC Free Zone FAQs
Ready to start your SPC Free Zone setup?
Speak to an Evolva consultant for a tailored quote and a clear timeline.
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Ready to get started with SPC Free Zone?
Speak with an Evolva consultant today and get a tailored quote for your business setup.