Start with a low-cost Sharjah free zone licence and add visas and space as you grow. PROXPAT prepares the SPC application, the ownership declarations and your visas.
Page last updated: . Requirements, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authority and can change.
SPC Free Zone Company Formation in Sharjah Publishing City
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) began as a free zone built around publishing and now licenses a wide range of service, trading, industrial and media businesses. It is one of several Sharjah free zones, and its entry price is among the lowest published by any UAE free zone.
SPC runs setup, amendments and renewals online, and sells its licence on a pay-as-you-go basis. You pay for the licence to start, and add inclusions such as visas and facilities later.
PROXPAT helps you choose the entity type and activities, prepare shareholder and ownership documents, and plan visas and space so the cheap start does not become an expensive surprise.
SPC Free Zone at a Glance
| Topic | SPC position |
|---|---|
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership |
| Entity types | FZE-LLC, FZC-LLC or branch |
| Licence types | Trading, service, industrial and media licences |
| Activities | Choose up to 5 business activities from more than 2,000 options on the pay-as-you-go licence |
| Shareholders | Up to 100 shareholders under one licence |
| Process | Setup, amendments and renewals online |
| Speed | SPC says a licence can be issued in about 45 minutes |
| Starting price | AED 6,875 for a one-year licence with no visa |
Entity Types in SPC
| Entity | Shareholders | Legal position |
|---|---|---|
| FZE-LLC | One shareholder, an individual or a company | Limited liability company |
| FZC-LLC | Two or more shareholders, individuals, companies or a mix | Limited liability company |
| Branch | Owned by the parent company | No separate legal identity from the parent |
Adding a second shareholder later changes an FZE-LLC's position, so we plan the ownership you expect within the first year, not just on day one. See UAE company types.
The Pay-As-You-Go Licence
| Topic | What SPC publishes |
|---|---|
| Price | AED 6,875 for a one-year licence with no visa |
| Activities | Up to 5 business activities from more than 2,000 options |
| Shareholders | Up to 100 under one licence |
| Visas | Unlimited visas available on a flexi desk |
| Facilities | Offices, storage and warehouse space are not in the base licence and are bought separately |
| Payment | Pay for the licence to start the process; pay for other inclusions later |
The low headline price covers the licence only. Once you need visas, SPC's visa route runs through a flexi desk or other facility, plus the visa costs themselves. Model the full first year in our business setup cost calculator.
Documents SPC Asks For
| Category | Documents |
|---|---|
| Shareholders, directors and managers | Passport copy; UAE visa copy if resident; Emirates ID where applicable |
| Corporate shareholders | Shareholding details, memorandum and articles of association, certificate of incorporation |
| Business details | Proposed company name, business activities and facility type |
Corporate documents issued abroad need legalisation. See certificate attestation.
Beneficial Ownership: The 25% Rule
SPC requires every individual who owns or controls 25% or more of the company to be declared as an ultimate beneficial owner, and says changes in ownership or control must be reported immediately. This catches founders who hold a stake through another company: the person at the top of the chain is still declared.
SPC Among Sharjah's Free Zones
| Free zone | Known for | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| SPC Free Zone | Originally built around publishing; pay-as-you-go licence from AED 6,875 | Service, trading, media and small businesses |
| Sharjah Media City (Shams) | Media and creative licensing | Creative, media and digital businesses |
| 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 |
For Sharjah mainland licences through SEDD, see Sharjah company formation.
SPC Compared With Other Low-Cost Licences
| Free zone | Published price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| SPC Free Zone | AED 6,875 | One-year licence, no visa, up to 5 activities |
| RAKEZ Basic | AED 6,000 | One shareholder, one activity, co-working access |
| Jebel Ali Free Zone | From AED 5,000 | Licence only; facility lease additional |
| Meydan Free Zone | From AED 12,500 | LLC-FZ licence, up to three activity groups, flexi desk |
After the Licence
- Establishment card and visas. Once you add a flexi desk or facility, the company can sponsor visas. See establishment card and employment visa services.
- Ownership updates. Report changes to 25% owners or controllers immediately.
- Renewals and amendments are handled online.
- Mainland work. Dubai's Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit is for Dubai free zone companies holding a Dubai Unified Licence, so it does not apply to an SPC company in Sharjah. Plan mainland sales separately.
How PROXPAT Helps
Entity type and shareholder planning
Activity selection within the five included
Document and UBO declaration pack
Online application and licence issue
Flexi desk and facility planning for visas
Establishment card and visas
Amendments and renewals
Comparison with other low-cost zones
Frequently Asked Questions
Start lean in Sharjah.
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 Free Zones
Set Up Your Company in SPC Free Zone
PROXPAT plans the entity and activities, prepares documents and ownership declarations, and handles visas, amendments and renewals.