A UAE free zone license lets a business operate with 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and no local sponsor requirement, inside a designated free zone jurisdiction. At SRTIP (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park), license packages start from AED 5,500 per year (~USD 1,498), with full setup including a first residence visa typically landing between AED 9,000 and AED 12,000 once visa and Emirates ID costs are added. Processing usually takes 3–10 working days.
Fact | Detail |
Starting license cost | AED 5,500/year |
Typical all-in cost (1 visa) | ~AED 9,000–12,000 |
Minimum share capital | None required |
Foreign ownership | 100% |
Corporate tax | 0% on qualifying free zone income |
Setup time | 3–10 working days |
Legal structures available | FZE (single shareholder), FZ-LLC / FZC (2–5 shareholders) |
Business activities covered | 1,500+ |
License renewal cycle | Annual |
What Is a Free Zone License?
A free zone license is the legal permit that authorizes a company to conduct specific business activities inside a designated UAE free zone. It is issued by the free zone’s regulatory authority for SRTIP rather than the emirate’s general Department of Economic Development.
Holding this license allows a business to:
- Operate with 100% foreign ownership (no UAE national sponsor required)
- Repatriate 100% of capital and profits
- Import/export within the free zone without customs duties
- Sponsor UAE residence visas for owners and staff
- Open a corporate bank account in the UAE
SRTIP Free Zone License Cost (2026)
Cost depends on the license type, number of visas, and workspace tier selected. Based on current published packages:
Cost Item | Price Range (AED) |
Base license package (0 visas) | 5,500 – 15,000 / year |
UAE residence visa (per person, all-in) | 3,500 – 6,500 |
E-channel registration deposit (refundable) | 2,500 – 3,000 |
Minimum share capital | None |
Note on pricing: Exact license cost depends on your chosen business activity and the number of activities bundled under one license.. For a firm quote, confirm current package pricing directly with SRTIP Accelerator, as authority fees are periodically revised.
Free Zone Legal Structures
Structure | Shareholders | Best For |
FZE (Free Zone Establishment) | 1 | Solo founders, single-owner startups |
FZ-LLC / FZC (Free Zone Company) | 2–5 | Partnerships, multi-founder businesses |
Free Zone License Types
License Type | Use Case |
General Trading License | Trading in a broad range of goods |
Trading/Commercial License | Industrial, commercial, or consultancy activity; typically short-term |
Services License | Accounting, legal, business consulting, and other professional services |
Manufacturing License | Businesses that physically produce goods |
Warehouse License | Storage, distribution, and packing of goods |
Industrial License | Import of raw materials, production, and export of finished goods |
Workspace Tiers and Visa Quotas (SRTIP)
Your workspace choice directly determines how many residence visas you can sponsor:
Workspace Tier | Visa Quota | Fit For |
Co-working / Hot Desk | Up to 3 visas | Solo founders |
SME Office (16–27 sqm) | 4–8 visas | Small teams |
Ecosystem Office | 10+ visas | Growing companies |
Innovation Plot (land/custom HQ) | Negotiable | Scaling operations |
How to Get a Free Zone License: Step-by-Step
- Choose your business activity. SRTIP covers 1,500+ approved activities; your choice determines the license category and cost.
- Select your legal structure. FZE for a single shareholder, FZ-LLC/FZC for 2–5 shareholders.
- Reserve a trade name. Must comply with UAE naming rules — no offensive terms, religious references, or names identical to existing registered businesses.
- Prepare documentation. Passport copies of shareholders/directors, passport-size photos, a business plan, and (for corporate shareholders) company registration documents and board resolutions.
- Submit the application and pay license fees. Complete, error-free documentation is the single biggest factor in avoiding delays.
- Receive your license. Most complete applications are approved within 3–10 working days.
- Open a corporate bank account. Bank account approval can take an additional 2–6 weeks depending on the bank’s compliance review — budget for this separately from the license timeline.
- Apply for residence visas. Number of visas available depends on your license package and workspace tier (see table above).
Why SRTIP Specifically
- One of the lowest-cost tech-focused free zones in the UAE, alongside Ajman NuVentures and Fujairah Creative City
- Located next to University City in Sharjah, near 20+ higher education institutions — relevant for R&D and talent-hiring businesses
- No minimum share capital requirement for most activities
- Offers a Dual License option in some packages, allowing free zone companies to also operate on the UAE mainland
- Focus on innovation, R&D, and industry collaboration rather than trading alone — distinct from general-purpose free zones
