Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone | SPC
Specialization is becoming a trend around the world. Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC) is one building block of that trend in Sharjah, UAE. It’s an international publishing hub that also encourages creative entrepreneurship within the zone. It was launched in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and now hosts over 2,500 international companies.
Here’s what makes the SPC business setup truly special:
- It offers quick business setup with over 2,000 licensed activities across sectors.
- It was built specifically for publishing and creative industries, making it ideal for content-focused businesses.
- It’s strategically located in Sharjah with affordable packages and access to global trade routes.
SPC Free Zone features creative sectors and business licenses. It has established a business environment that helps startups and established companies work and grow together. This zone is suitable if you operate in sectors such as publishing, retail, professional services, consultancy, or e-commerce.
Confused about how to start your company setup process? Starting your business in the UAE SPC can be difficult, especially for rising entrepreneurs and international companies, as they’re new to the laws and process. If that’s you, this guide covers everything you need to know!
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Types of Business Licenses in SPC UAE
- Publishing License
- Trading License
- Services License
- E-commerce License
It’s a specialized zone for publishing houses and companies. This license is required to be a part of the Emirates Publishers Association and start your business in the zone. You will find a lot of scope here nationally and internationally if you’re a publisher, an author, or an editor.
Many international corporations, companies, and organizations rely on SPC for print-on-demand services, including the UNESCO World Book capital.
A trading license is required for engagement in sectors that involve trade, including buying, selling, import, export, distribution, etc. A simple license limits the number of products allowed.
For large-scale businesses and brands, SPCFZ offers a general trading license. It allows the same activities, except over a large range of products.
SPC Free Zone offers a service license for professionals in all sectors, providing their services and consultancy. This license covers a broad scope encompassing business consultancy companies, expert service providers, and media agencies.
This license does not require a physical setup in Sharjah Publishing City. It is ideal for professionals as it requires a low budget and offers a smooth setup process.
An e-commerce license is required for businesses and services provided through electronic means. This supports the emerging trend of online stores and shopping.
It allows students, housewives, and jobbers to start an online business and earn a handsome income. While for retail stores and shops, this is a means of expansion and reaching a large range of audience without much effort.
Top Selling SPC
Promotions
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 11,900.00
Save up to AED 1,785.00
- Trade License
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 17,900.00
Save up to AED 2,685.00
- Trade License
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 21,900.00
Save up to AED 3,285.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 25,400.00
Save up to AED 3,810.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 23,900.00
Save up to AED 3,585.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 27,400.00
Save up to AED 4,110.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 25,900.00
Save up to AED 3,885.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 29,400.00
Save up to AED 4,410.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 27,900.00
Save up to AED 4,185.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 31,400.00
Save up to AED 4,710.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 29,900.00
Save up to AED 4,485.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 33,400.00
Save up to AED 5,010.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 21,900.00
Save up to AED 3,285.00
- Trade License
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 27,900.00
Save up to AED 4,185.00
- Trade License
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 31,900.00
Save up to AED 4,785.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 35,400.00
Save up to AED 5,310.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 33,900.00
Save up to AED 5,085.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 37,400.00
Save up to AED 5,610.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 35,900.00
Save up to AED 5,385.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 39,400.00
Save up to AED 5,910.00
Executive Contains
Business Incorporation Starter Pack
- 1 Free Visa Processing for Employee from A to Z
- OR
- 1 Free Visa Processing for Dependents from A to Z
- Health Insurance Assistance
- VAT Registration – One Time Only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP assistance for visa application and Company incorporation
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 37,900.00
Save up to AED 5,685.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 41,400.00
Save up to AED 6,210.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 39,900.00
Save up to AED 5,985.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 43,400.00
Save up to AED 6,510.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Process and Timeline
- 1Should be 18 years old and above
- 2Should not have any criminal records
- 3The business should be legally permissible
- 4Should be an individual, corporate or mixed of both
Company Registration
For Individual Shareholder/s
1. Scanned passport copy
2. Emirates ID copy (back & front), if applicable
3. Scanned visa copy/UAE Entry Stamp/Tourist or Visit Visa Copy
4. Number of Shareholders with sharing (%) of Manager of the company
If Manager is not a Shareholder:
1. Full Name as per the passport
2. Valid Phone Number
3. UAE Home Address
4. Scanned passport copy
5. Passport size with white background
6. Scanned copy of the visa page
7. Emirates ID copy (back & front)
For Corporate Shareholder/s
1. Board resolution
2. Trade License, MOA, Incumbency, Share Certificate of the shareholding company
3. Passport copy/ies of the UBO/s
4. Passport copy/ies of the Manager/s
5. Visa of the Manager/s if UAE resident
6. UAE Home address of the Authorized Signatory
7. Passport size photo of the Authorized signatory
8. Number of Shareholders with sharing (%) of Manager of the company
Residence Visa Application
Company Documents
1. Trade License copy
2. Establishment Card copy
Applicant
1. Scanned passport copy, should be current and valid for at least 6 months – coloured, uncut with full border
2. Passport size photo with white background
3. Tourist or visit visa/Residence Cancellation report copy (if applicable)
4. Emirates ID copy (if applicable)
5. Duly filled visa application form
License Package Fees
Standard License – Zero Visa Package
Starts from
AED 11,900
Standard License – With Visa Package
Starts from
AED 17,900
Immigration Fees
Establishment Card – New
AED 2,000
Establishment Card – Renewal
AED 2,200
Visa Application Fees
Residence Visa – 3 years
AED 3,750
Additional AED 1,000 on the visa fee if applying for an Investor/Partner Visa and an AED 48,000 share capital is required.
Change Status
AED 1,600
Applicable if within the UAE application only.
Medical Test
Normal (48 hours) – AED 450
VIP (within 24 hrs) – AED 750
Emirates ID – 3 years
AED 375
Company Registration
Trade Name Approval
1 business day
Shareholder’s Security Approval
5-7 business days
Trade License Issuance
3-4 business days
Establishment Card Application
1 business day
Establishment Card Issuance
5-7 business daysResidence Visa Application
Electronic Visa Application
5-7 business daysClient Arrival (if outside the UAE) | Change Status (if within the UAE)
Depends on the client | 2-3 business daysMedical Test
1 business dayMedical Test Result Release
Normal - 2 business days | VIP - within the dayEmirates ID Typing
1 business day
Obtaining Health Insurance
Depends on the client | Mandatory if applying in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Visa Approval
5-7 business days
Emirates ID Biometrics & Photo Capturing
Approx. 15-20 business days from the date of Emirates ID typing
Emirates ID Issuance
5 business daysSteps to Start Your Business Setup in SPC
There is a wide range of activities available for businesses in SPC. Consult the list and find the suitable ones for your company. This will determine the type of license you have to acquire from the zone authority.
SPC features different business structures to meet different business needs. Each has its own perks and purpose. Choose based on your company goals and ownership details. An unsuitable choice can cause complications.
Reserve a trade name for your business setup in the UAE. It has to be unique and must not in any way be offensive to the norms of the Arab society.
Apply for the business license based on your business operations. If you have business in the mainland as well, apply for a dual license to conduct business in the Mainland and Free Zone smoothly.
Choose an office space suited to your commercial activities and goals. SPCFZ offers different options. Once you find the right fit, sign the lease agreement and finalize it with payment.
Some businesses may require extra approvals from different authorities depending on their plan of operations. See if your company requires any and get those approvals from the specified authorities.
With all the licenses, approval, and office space in hand, you can start the business operations, but you require emirate IDs and residence visas for shareholders and employees. Acquire the IDs and visas by choosing suitable packages.
Benefits in Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone UAE
100% Foreign Ownership
Dual License Option
Fast Business Setup
No Income Tax
Strategic Location
2,000+ Activities
Easy Visa Processing
Affordable Packages
No Currency Limits
Full Profit Repatriation
Copyright-Friendly
No Office Compulsory
Business Activities and Service Highlights
Business Activities
You can do e-publishing, like audiobooks and online content. Trade goods online or in stores. Some light manufacturing is allowed. Services like IT, marketing, and consulting are also in demand.
Media Services
Businesses in SPC Free Zone enjoy instant news and updates through different media channels and the SPC website. It lets everyone be mindful of the trends and updates in the market and benefit from them.
Regulatory Services
You can easily renew your business license through the online portal when it expires. Free zone businesses can also make structural amendments and apply for company liquidation if required.
Legal Entities for Company Formation in SPC
FZE
A Free Zone Establishment (FZE) is a limited liability company structure owned by a single individual or a company. It is perfect for startups, brands, and businesses looking for sole proprietorship in SPC Sharjah.
FZC
A Free Zone Company (FZC) is a company structure owned by more than one entity. It offers limited liability. It is perfect for large-scale businesses or brands owned by several individuals or companies. It’s the most popular type in the zone.
Branch
This structure lets an international or a UAE company outside the zone start a branch office inside SPC without establishing a new legal entity. This type benefits MNCs and national companies looking for expansion.
Simplify Free Zone Company Formation in Sharjah Publishing City
Solution? You need a business consultancy with years of experience, legal knowledge, license packages, and networking skills to experience a guided business formation process. IBG Consultancy has it all and more, including suitable visa packages for a wide range of businesses. Contact IBG Consultancy for smooth company formation in the Sharjah Publishing City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up my business in Dubai through Sharjah Publishing City?
While SPC is located in Sharjah, it provides options that allow company setup with reach across other Emirates, including Dubai, through dual licensing and flexible jurisdiction options.
What is a free zone license and how is it different from a mainland one?
A free zone license allows businesses to operate within designated zones with tax benefits and 100% foreign ownership, unlike mainland licenses that require local sponsorship in many cases.
How does SPC compare to other Sharjah free zones?
Compared to other Sharjah free zones, SPC is specifically tailored for the publishing industry and creative sectors, though it still supports a wide variety of services and trading activities.
What kind of support does the free zone provide after registration?
The free zone provides ongoing regulatory assistance, renewal services, and access to business development tools to help maintain and grow your operations.
Can I open a branch of a company that is already registered elsewhere?
Yes, SPC allows you to open a branch of a company already registered in the United Arab Emirates or abroad, without creating a new legal entity.
Do you offer a free consultation before I begin the registration process?
Yes, you can request a free consultation to explore your licensing options, determine the right business structure, and get clarity on the setup process.
Is a Sharjah Publishing City license suitable for businesses outside publishing?
Yes, while it’s tailored for the publishing and printing sector, a Sharjah Publishing City license can support a wide range of commercial and professional activities.
What type of license do I need for import and export activities?
To engage in import and export activities, you’ll need to choose a license type that covers international trading. SPC helps you select one based on your product range and business goals.
What makes SPC a dynamic free zone for entrepreneurs?
SPC is a dynamic free zone because it combines sector-specific support, rapid processing, and scalable packages that attract both startups and established entities.
How do I launch my business in SPC with minimal costs?
You can start your business in SPC by choosing from their budget-friendly business setup packages, which are designed to match your goals and financial plans.
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