Deep guide · 2026
The complete Sharjah business setup guide
This guide walks you through setting up a company in Sharjah end to end: choosing between free zone and mainland, picking a licence and activity, understanding cost, processing visas, opening a bank account, and staying compliant with 2026 tax rules. It's the same path we take clients through.
1. Free zone or mainland
Start with the structure. A free zone gives 100% ownership and lower cost for international, online, and remote businesses. The mainland lets you trade directly across the UAE. SPC's dual licence bridges both — more in free zone vs mainland.
2. Choose your licence and activity
Pick the licence type and activities that match what you'll actually do — e-commerce, trading, consultancy, media, or a freelance permit. Browse the activities list.
3. Understand the cost
Licence from around AED 4,499, plus registration, visas, and office. Use the calculator and read the cost breakdown.
4. Submit documents and get your licence
A passport copy, application, and photo cover most cases. With a complete file, the licence is issued instantly (visas follow in about five to seven working days) — see the formation steps.
5. Visas and bank account
Process residence visas through our PRO team, then open a corporate bank account with a clean, well-prepared file.
6. Stay compliant in 2026
Register for corporate tax, handle VAT if you cross the threshold, and prepare for e-invoicing. Good bookkeeping ties it together.
Prefer a shortcut?
Let us handle the whole setup
One call, one plan, one itemised quote — from licence to bank account.
Book a free consultation