Mainland licences from the Sharjah Economic Development Department or a Sharjah free zone: PROXPAT prepares the trade name, licence, premises approval and visas for your Sharjah company.
Page last updated: . Requirements, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authority and can change.
Company Formation in Sharjah
Sharjah sits directly beside Dubai and is often chosen by businesses that want a UAE company close to Dubai's market with a different cost and premises profile. Licensing on the Sharjah mainland is handled by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD); each Sharjah free zone licenses its own companies.
According to SEDD, foreigners have been able to own 100% of most businesses in Sharjah without a local partner since 2021, although some activities remain reserved for UAE citizens. Instant licences can be issued within a day for activities that need no external approval.
PROXPAT compares Sharjah against Dubai mainland and free zone options for your activity, then handles the application, premises evaluation and visas. See our business setup services for the full UAE picture.
Sharjah Mainland Licence Types
SEDD issues five main licence categories. The category follows from the activity, so the activity decision comes first.
| Licence | Covers | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Buying, selling, importing and exporting | Traders, distributors, retail |
| Professional | Specialised services and consulting | Consultancies, technical and professional services |
| Industrial | Manufacturing and production | Factories, workshops, production units |
| E-Commerce | Online sales | Businesses selling through websites and apps. See our e-commerce licence guide |
| Eitimad | Home-based business run by citizens | UAE citizens only |
Legal Forms Available in Sharjah
| Legal form | Key point |
|---|---|
| Limited Liability Company (LLC) | The most common form for foreign investors. SEDD's guidance describes LLCs with 2 to 50 partners; single-owner structures are also available under UAE company law, and we confirm which applies to your activity |
| Sole Proprietorship | Available to UAE and GCC nationals |
| Professional licence with a service agent | A foreign professional working with a UAE citizen service agent, for eligible professional activities |
| General Partnership | Partners share unlimited liability |
| Limited Partnership | Combines general partners with limited-liability partners |
Trade Name Fees
Every Sharjah licence starts with a trade name. SEDD prices the name by language, which is worth knowing before you settle on a brand.
| Trade name type | SEDD fee |
|---|---|
| Arabic name | AED 250 |
| Translated name | AED 1,250 |
| Foreign-only name | AED 2,250 |
Availability can be checked through SEDD's online trade name service. We check the name and the wording against naming rules before paying, because a rejected name delays everything that follows.
How Long a Sharjah Licence Takes
| Stage | Typical timeline per SEDD |
|---|---|
| Instant licence (no external approvals) | Within one day |
| Regular licence | 5 to 7 business days |
| Technical evaluation of premises | 3 to 5 business days, AED 150 fee |
Activities that need approval from another authority, such as health, education or civil defence-sensitive activities, run on that authority's timeline. See government approvals.
What the First Year Costs
SEDD indicates first-year fees of roughly AED 15,000 to AED 30,000, covering licensing, registration, printing and technical evaluation. That range does not include rent, visas, medical tests, Emirates ID or insurance, which usually make up a large share of the real first-year budget.
| Item | Amount per SEDD |
|---|---|
| Renewal window | Up to 3 months before expiry |
| Late renewal penalty | From AED 200 per month |
| Main signboard permit | AED 200 |
Please note: SEDD fees and rules are revised periodically. We confirm current figures for your activity before quoting.
Sharjah Free Zones
Sharjah's free zones license companies separately from SEDD and suit different kinds of business. The main options include:
| Free zone | Known for | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) | Established in 1995 at Sharjah International Airport | Import, re-export, logistics and light industry |
| Hamriyah Free Zone | Established in 1995, with port and industrial infrastructure | Industrial, energy, maritime and large-footprint operations |
| Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC) | A free zone originally built around publishing | Media, publishing and a wide range of service activities |
| Sharjah Media City (Shams) | Media and creative licensing; listed by the UAE Government among authorities issuing online business licences | Creative, media and digital businesses |
Like all free zone companies, these entities operate within their zone and internationally. Selling directly to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or additional approvals.
Sharjah or Dubai? How to Decide
| Question | Points towards Sharjah | Points towards Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Where will you operate from? | Premises, staff or a warehouse located in Sharjah | An office or clients concentrated in Dubai |
| What does the business need physically? | Industrial or larger premises | Prime commercial office space |
| How important is the address to clients? | Less important | A Dubai address is part of the pitch |
| Which authority approves your activity? | SEDD or a Sharjah free zone | DET or a Dubai free zone such as DMCC or Meydan |
A Sharjah mainland licence authorises activity from Sharjah. Opening premises or a branch in Dubai requires registration with Dubai's licensing authority, so if both emirates matter, plan the structure at the start.
Documents Required
Trade name certificate
Passport and Emirates ID copies of partners
Personal photographs
Approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs where required for foreign investors
No-objection letter for investors employed by a government entity in Sharjah
Notarised lease contract
Technical evaluation approval of the premises
Memorandum of Association for companies
Step-by-Step Sharjah Company Setup
Step 1: Confirm activity and licence type
Step 2: Choose the legal form
Step 3: Reserve the trade name
Step 4: Obtain initial and external approvals
Step 5: Sign and notarise the lease
Step 6: Pass the premises technical evaluation
Step 7: Sign the Memorandum of Association and pay fees
Step 8: Receive the licence, then establishment card and visas
After the Licence: What a Sharjah Company Must Keep Up
- Renew the licence every year, starting up to three months before expiry to avoid monthly penalties.
- Keep a valid lease contract, since the licence depends on registered premises.
- Operate only within the licensed activities, and amend the licence before adding new ones.
- Update SEDD when partners, managers, address or other licence details change.
- Obtain an establishment card and keep it valid to sponsor employees. See PRO services, PRO services in Sharjah for SEDD renewal fees and timing, and work permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare your UAE setup options.
Explore connected PROXPAT services that support the same client journey.
The licence is the start of the government work, not the end of it
Once the trade licence is issued, the sequence that actually lets you operate begins: the establishment card, the MOHRE and immigration files, your employee quota, then employee visas and work permits. After that it repeats every year — renewals, cancellations when people leave, and licence renewal and amendments.
Companies that would rather not build that function in-house put it on a monthly PRO retainer from AED 700, or use it per transaction. Government fees stay separate and itemised either way.
The first six months after incorporation
- Establishment card issued through immigration
- MOHRE file opened and e-signature completed
- Employee quota checked before hiring
- Offer letters, work permits and entry permits
- Medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping
- Corporate tax and VAT registration where they apply
More in Setup by Emirate
Set Up Your Company in Sharjah
Trade name, SEDD or free zone licence, premises evaluation, establishment card and visas: PROXPAT manages the full Sharjah setup.