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The SPC dual license: free zone and mainland under one licence
SPC's dual licence lets a single company hold both a free-zone licence and a mainland (SEDD) licence together — so you keep 100% ownership and free-zone benefits while also serving UAE mainland clients and bidding for local contracts, without setting up two separate entities.
What is the SPC dual licence?
Most free-zone companies can trade internationally and within their zone, but not directly on the UAE mainland. The dual licence removes that limit. Your one SPC company gains a mainland licence from Sharjah's economic department (SEDD) alongside its free-zone licence, so you can invoice mainland clients and take on local contracts while keeping full foreign ownership.
How it works
You form your SPC free-zone company as usual, then add the mainland licence to the same entity. You keep one set of accounts and one licence renewal cycle. There's no local sponsor and no second company to manage.
Who should use it
- Consultants and agencies serving UAE-based clients.
- Traders and service businesses that need to bill mainland customers.
- Founders who want to bid for local or government-adjacent contracts.
If you sell mainly abroad or online, a standard free-zone licence may be enough. The free zone vs mainland guide helps you decide.
Dual licence vs standard free-zone licence
| Free-zone only | Dual licence | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% |
| Invoice mainland clients | Limited | Yes |
| Bid for local contracts | No | Yes |
| Number of companies | One | One |
| Relative cost | Lower | Higher, but less than two companies |
What it costs
The dual licence adds a mainland (SEDD) licence to your free-zone company — the mainland NOC starts at AED 3,000. A typical dual setup on a Standard licence with one visa and co-working comes to roughly AED 18,000, with our 10% discount applied to the licence. That's far less than running two separate companies. See the cost breakdown or estimate your case.
How to get one
Book a free consultation and we'll confirm your activities qualify, then handle both licences in one process. Formation follows the same five steps.
FAQ
Dual licence questions
Is it really one company, not two?
Yes. It's a single legal entity holding both a free-zone and a mainland licence, with one set of accounts and one renewal.
Do I still own 100%?
Yes. You keep full foreign ownership. Most mainland activities in Sharjah now also allow 100% ownership.
Which activities qualify?
Most commercial and professional activities qualify, but a few need specific approvals. We confirm yours before you commit.