Sharjah has six free zones. SRTIP focuses on tech and R&D, SHAMS on media and digital business, SPC Free Zone on publishing and content, SAIF Zone on logistics and trade, Hamriyah Free Zone on heavy industry, and Sharjah Healthcare City on medical and wellness businesses.
You can start a business in a Sharjah free zone for as little as AED 5,500, with costs going up to AED 30,000 depending on the zone, license type, and number of visas you need. Every zone offers 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, 0% personal income tax, and 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required.
Sharjah free zones offer several license types including e-commerce license, commercial license, professional license, and industrial license. The right license depends on what your business does and which free zone you set up in.
What are the Free Zones in Sharjah?
Sharjah has six free zones: SRTIP, SHAMS, SPC Free Zone, SAIF Zone, Hamriyah Free Zone, and Sharjah Healthcare City.
1. Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park
SRTIP is a government-backed free zone built for technology, R&D, and innovation companies, sitting next to University City in Sharjah. It gives businesses direct access to on-site prototyping labs, a 3D studio, electronics lab, and the Sharjah Business Angels Network (SBAN).
It also connects founders to accelerator programs and research partnerships with over 20 universities, which helps companies move from idea to market faster.
It costs AED 5,500 to start a business at SRTIP on a license-only package, going up to AED 18,000 for a license and two-visa package, making it one of the more affordable options in Sharjah. SRTIP works best for tech startups, e-commerce companies, R&D companies, and innovation-focused SMEs.
2. Sharjah Media City
SHAMS is a free zone built for media, digital services, and creative businesses. It lets founders register a company entirely online and issues a trade license in as little as 60 minutes, making it one of the fastest free zone setups in the UAE.
The cost of starting a business at SHAMS starts at AED 5,750 for a zero-visa license. It works best for freelancers, content creators, digital marketers, IT consultants, and e-commerce businesses.
3. Sharjah Publishing City
SPC Free Zone was initially built for the publishing and content industry, though it now covers over 1,500 business activities across media, education, e-commerce, and general trading. It lets businesses set up on a pay-as-you-go model with no long-term commitment and processes applications 24/7.
The cheapest SPC Free Zone license costs AED 6,875. It works best for publishers, educational businesses, digital media companies, and general trading firms.
4. SAIF Zone
SAIF Zone is an aviation-linked free zone that sits directly at Sharjah International Airport and runs 24/7 on-site customs clearance. It hosts over 8,000 businesses from 160 countries and gives companies the ability to clear air freight without leaving the free zone.
Trade license costs start at AED 10,800 at SAIF Free Zone. It works best for import/export businesses, logistics operators, and industrial companies that move goods by air.
5. Hamriyah Free Zone
Hamriyah Free Zone is the UAE’s second-largest industrial free zone, with on-site access to Hamriyah Port, a deep-water harbor. It gives industrial businesses direct sea access alongside long-term land leases and specialized oil and gas storage zones.
It costs between AED 11,000 to AED 35,000 to start a business at Hamriyah Free Zone. It works best for heavy industry businesses, energy companies, and maritime operators that need port access or significant land infrastructure.
6. Sharjah Healthcare City
SHCC is a 4.5 million square meter free zone built exclusively for healthcare, medical, and wellness businesses. It operates under the Sharjah Health Authority (SHA).
It costs AED 20,000 to AED 30,000 to start a business at Sharjah Healthcare City, with costs varying based on the type of license required. It works best for hospitals, medical clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and wellness businesses.
Sharjah Free Zones Comparison
The best Sharjah free zone for your business depends on your business activity and budget. This is a comparison table of all the free zones in Sharjah:
Free Zone | Focus | Starting Cost | Best For |
SRTIP | Technology, R&D, innovation | From AED 5,500 | Tech startups, R&D companies, innovation-driven SMEs |
SHAMS | Media, digital services, creative industries | From AED 5,750 | Freelancers, content creators, digital entrepreneurs |
SPC Free Zone | Publishing, content creation, general trading | From AED 6,875 | Publishers, educational businesses, e-commerce brands |
SAIF Zone | Logistics, trading, manufacturing | From AED 10,800 | Import/export businesses, air freight operators |
Hamriyah Free Zone | Heavy industry, maritime, oil and gas | From AED 11,000 | Large-scale industrial businesses, energy companies |
Sharjah Healthcare City | Healthcare and medical services | From AED 20,000 | Hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies |
Benefits of Sharjah Free Zones
The main benefits of Sharjah free zones are eligibility for 0% corporate tax, 0% personal income tax, 100% foreign ownership, and full exemption from import, export, re-export, and customs duties. Investors also have the right to repatriate 100% of their capital and profits, with no currency restrictions.
These are the benefits of Sharjah free zones:
- 100% foreign ownership: You keep full control of your company without needing a UAE national as a shareholder or sponsor.
- Full capital and profit repatriation: You can move 100% of your earnings out of the UAE at any time, with no restrictions on how much or how often.
- Lower setup and licensing costs compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Sharjah free zone packages cost significantly less, making it one of the most affordable UAE jurisdictions for startups.
- Access to ports, airports, and highway infrastructure: Sharjah’s free zones sit next to Sharjah International Airport, Hamriyah Port, and major UAE highway networks, keeping logistics costs low.
- Eligibility for 0% Corporate Tax: Businesses that are Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QZFPs) can qualify for a Corporate Tax exemption.
How to Start a Business in a Sharjah Free Zone
To start a business in a Sharjah free zone, you have to choose a business structure, reserve your trade name, apply for a trade license, get an office address, open a corporate bank account, and process your visas. These are the steps to start a Sharjah free zone business:
- Choose your business structure: Select your legal entity type, which is typically a Free Zone Establishment (FZE), a Free Zone Company (FZC), or a branch of an existing local or international company.
- Reserve your trade name: Submit a trade name reservation request with your chosen free zone authority.
- Apply for a trade license: You will need to submit your business plan to get initial approval for your business idea. Then apply for a license with shareholder documents and passport copies.
- Lease office space: Choose a physical office, shared desk, flexi-desk, or virtual office, depending on what the zone allows for your package.
- Open a corporate bank account: Open a UAE business bank account with a local banking provider.
- Process visas (if required): Apply for investor and employee visas through the free zone portal or on-site visa center.
Working with a local business setup consultant can significantly streamline the process. The consultants at SRTIP Accelerator have a decade of experience helping entrepreneurs and investors start businesses in Sharjah.
What is the Cost of Starting a Business in a Sharjah Free Zone?
Setting up a business in a Sharjah free zone starts from around AED 5,500 for a basic license at SRTIP, with total first-year costs ranging from AED 15,000 to AED 20,000+ depending on the zone, office type, and number of visas needed.
Sharjah is generally more affordable than Dubai or Abu Dhabi free zones, which makes it a practical choice for startups, SMEs, and solo founders. Use our cost calculator to get an estimate of your setup costs.
Documents Required to Start a Business in a Sharjah Free Zone
The documents required to start a business in a Sharjah free zone include a valid passport copy, completed application forms, and proof of address for individuals, plus incorporation certificates, MOA/AOA, and UBO declarations for corporate applicants. The exact list varies by free zone and entity type.
For individual (natural person) applicants:
- Valid passport copy
- Passport-sized photograph
- Proof of residential address or recent entry permit (if in the UAE)
- Completed trade name reservation form
- Completed license application form
- Emirates ID copy (if currently a UAE resident)
Corporate applicants will also need to submit Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, and Ultimate Beneficiary Owner declarations.
Start a Sharjah Free Zone Business With SRTIP Accelerator
SRTIP Accelerator provides complete business setup support for entrepreneurs and investors interested in company formation in Sharjah free zones. Our consultants guide you through the entire process, including recommending the best free zone for your business, handling the license application, visa support, and opening a bank account. Get in touch for a free consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions
A qualifying free zone person is a company registered in a UAE free zone that meets specific conditions set by the Federal Tax Authority to benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income. To qualify, the business must maintain adequate substance in the free zone, earn income from qualifying activities, and not elect to be treated as a regular taxable person.
Foreigners can own 100% of a company in a Sharjah free zone with no requirement for a UAE national partner or sponsor. This applies to all six Sharjah free zones and covers all license types, including commercial, service, and industrial licenses.
There is no minimum capital requirement for Sharjah free zones, shareholders are no longer required to make a bank deposit to start a business, they just need to make a capital declaration in their incorporation documents.
