A UAE mainland company can expand to the SRTIP Free Zone by registering a branch office or establishing a corporate subsidiary.
Operating in the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park allows you to keep 100% foreign ownership of the new entity and access shared R&D facilities without closing your mainland company.
Why Should a Mainland Company Open a Branch in SRTIP?
Mainland companies expand into SRTIP to run technology and research activities in a free zone while keeping their mainland license for local trading. Setting up in SRTIP gives you access to testing labs, and lower office costs.Â
- R&D Facilities: You get access to the Sharjah Open Innovation Lab (SOIL), 3D printing labs, and technical testing centers.
- Dual Licensing: You can run technical and research activities under your free zone license while your mainland entity handles onshore sales.
- Affordable Office Options: You can rent flexi-desks, co-working spaces, or private offices depending on your team size.
Which Legal Structure Should You Choose?
Mainland companies can expand into SRTIP Free Zone through two legal options: a branch office or a corporate subsidiary (Free Zone Company or Free Zone Establishment). The main difference comes down to legal liability and whether you need a separate company identity.
Feature | Branch Office | Corporate Subsidiary (FZC/ FZE) |
Legal Identity | Extension of parent company | Separate legal entity |
Liability | On the mainland parent company | Limited to the subsidiary |
Share Capital | No minimum capital required | Set by the free zone authority |
Ownership | 100% owned by parent company | Corporate shareholding |
What is an SRTIP Branch Office?
An SRTIP branch office is a legal extension of your existing mainland company. It uses the same name, carries out the same business activities, requires no share capital, and sends all profits directly back to the main parent company.
What is an SRTIP Corporate Subsidiary?
An SRTIP corporate subsidiary is an independent legal company registered as a Free Zone Company (FZC) or Free Zone Establishment (FZE). Your mainland company acts as the corporate owner, which protects your main business if the subsidiary incurs debts or liabilities.
How to Expand Your Mainland Company to SRTIP
To expand a mainland company to SRTIP, involve selecting your business activities, passing a parent company board resolution, securing trade name approval, leasing office space, and completing visa processing.
1. Select Your Business Activity
You pick your business activity from over 2,000 approved SRTIP free zone business activities. SRTIP focuses on IT, software, e-commerce, green energy, smart manufacturing, and consulting. If you open a branch office, your chosen activity must match what is listed on your mainland trade license.
2. Issue a Board Resolution
Your mainland company shareholders or directors sign an official Board Resolution approving the expansion. This document authorizes opening the SRTIP branch or subsidiary, states its business activities, and names the legal manager who will sign documents on behalf of the parent company.
3. Apply for Initial Approval
Submit your valid mainland trade license, Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA/AOA), Commercial Register certificate, board resolution, and passport copies of the appointed manager to the regulatory authority.
4. Select Your Workspace
You secure a registered address inside SRTIP to keep your business active and compliant. Options include flexi-desks, co-working spaces, private offices, or dedicated lab spaces. You sign the lease agreement.
5. Apply for a Trade License
Submit your signed lease agreement and initial approval certificate to complete your SRTIP free zone company formation. Once approved, SRTIP issues your official trade license and lease agreement (along with a Branch Registration Certificate for a branch office, or a Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum of Association if setting up a corporate subsidiary).Â
6. Register for Employee Visas
You open a company immigration file with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). This allows you to apply for residence visas, schedule medical fitness tests, submit biometrics for Emirates IDs, and issue work permits for your employees.
7. Open a Corporate Bank Account
You present your new trade license, lease contract, corporate documents, and board resolution to a UAE bank. Corporate bank account verification typically takes 2 to 4 weeks depending on the bank you select.
What Documents Are Required for Expansion?
You need valid copies of your mainland company documents, a board resolution approving the expansion, and passport copies of the manager. These are the main documents needed to expand a mainland company to the SRTIP free zone:
- Copy of valid mainland trade license
- Certificate of Incorporation or Commercial Register
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA/AOA) of the mainland parent
- Board Resolution authorizing expansion to SRTIP
- Passport copies and Emirates IDs of shareholders and the manager
- Power of Attorney for your legal representative (if using one)
Expand Your Business with SRTIP Accelerator
SRTIP Accelerator helps mainland companies set up inside SRTIP Free Zone. Our team handles your document verification, license approval, and visa applications from start to finish. Contact our team to get a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
A UAE mainland company can hold 100% corporate ownership of a subsidiary or branch office established in SRTIP Free Zone.
Opening a branch office in SRTIP does not require minimum paid-up share capital. Setting up a subsidiary may require capital depending on the license type you choose.
An SRTIP branch can provide services internationally and inside free zones. To sell physical goods directly to the mainland UAE market, you must clear customs or distribute goods through a mainland agent or your existing mainland parent company.
Once you submit your board resolution and corporate documents, SRTIP typically issues initial approvals and trade licenses within 3 to 7 working days.
