The complete guide · 2026
Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone: the complete setup guide
Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone is a Sharjah economic zone offering 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, over 1,500 business activities, and a dual licence covering both free-zone and mainland work. Licences start at AED 4,499 with our 10% discount and are issued instantly.
What is SPC Free Zone?
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone opened in 2017 as a specialist zone for publishing, printing and media, and has since widened to cover more than 1,500 activities across trading, services, consultancy and e-commerce. It sits in Sharjah, about 30 minutes from Dubai, so you reach the same customers, ports and airports at a lower cost base.
Like other UAE free zones, SPC lets foreign founders own their company outright. What sets it apart is the dual licence, which adds mainland trading rights to a free-zone company without a second entity.
Benefits at a glance
- 100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor or partner.
- 0% personal income tax and full repatriation of profits.
- Dual licence — free-zone and mainland activity under one company.
- 1,500+ activities and low-cost, zero-visa entry options.
- Instant issuance — licences issued immediately once documents are in.
Licence types & 1,500+ activities
SPC issues commercial, service (professional), and industrial licences, plus a freelance permit for individuals. You can hold several activities on one licence where they're compatible. Popular routes include the e-commerce licence, general trading licence, consultancy licence, media and publishing licence, and the freelance permit. If you're not sure which fits, we'll map it on a free consultation.
The SPC dual licence explained
The dual licence is SPC's headline advantage. One company holds a free-zone licence and a mainland (SEDD) licence together, so you keep full ownership and free-zone benefits while also invoicing UAE mainland clients and bidding for local contracts. Most founders who serve UAE-based customers save money and time by using it instead of forming two separate companies.
Packages, including zero-visa
SPC packages scale with your needs. A zero-visa package is the cheapest way to get a legal licence for solo founders and freelancers. Single- and multi-visa packages add residence visas as you hire or relocate. See the full breakdown on the packages page.
How much does it cost?
SPC has three licence tiers, and we take 10% off each. Your all-in figure then depends on visas and workspace. The table shows our licence prices; the cost page itemises everything and the calculator estimates your case.
| Licence | SPC list | Your price |
|---|---|---|
| E-Publishing | 4,999 | 4,499 |
| Publishing | 4,499 | 5,175 |
| Standard | 6,875 | 6,188 |
Step-by-step formation
Setup runs in five steps: choose your activity, select a licence type, submit documents, receive your licence, then process visas and open a bank account. Our company formation guide covers the documents and timeline in detail.
Visas & office options
Your visa quota depends on your package and office. A flexi-desk supports a small number of visas; a private office supports more. We handle investor and employee visas, Emirates ID and medicals, and family sponsorship through our visa and PRO services.
Corporate bank account
SPC companies can open UAE corporate accounts. Approval depends on clean documents, a clear activity, and the right bank match. We prepare your file and shortlist suitable banks — see bank account opening.
2026 tax & compliance
UAE corporate tax now applies. A qualifying free-zone person can keep 0% on qualifying income, while other income is taxed at 9% above the threshold. All companies must register for corporate tax, and e-invoicing is being rolled out. Getting your structure and bookkeeping right from day one is what protects the 0% — we cover this on our corporate tax and e-invoicing readiness pages.
SPC vs other free zones
SPC competes on cost and the dual licence. Compared with SHAMS and IFZA, it tends to win on mainland flexibility; against the mainland itself, the trade-off is market access versus cost and ownership. Our free zone vs mainland guide walks through the decision.
FAQ
SPC Free Zone, answered
Is SPC a genuine free zone?
Yes. Sharjah Publishing City is a licensed Sharjah free zone offering 100% foreign ownership, its own licences, and residence visa quotas, with the added option of a mainland dual licence.
What can I do with an SPC licence?
You can run any of 1,500+ approved activities — trading, e-commerce, consultancy, services, media and publishing, and more. Compatible activities can sit on one licence.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through SPC?
Yes. Your package and office determine how many residence visas you can sponsor, including for family. We handle the full process end to end.
How is SPC different from a mainland company?
A free-zone company is lower cost and fully foreign-owned but trades mainly internationally or through the zone. The dual licence bridges that gap by adding mainland rights. See free zone vs mainland.