SPC Free Zone puts speed and service first: the licence is issued almost instantly, a residence visa is promised in 5 working days, and immigration services operate right in the zone’s office. No paid-up share capital is required. Let’s go through the procedure, the real cost items and the tax regime.
Company Formation in SPFZ
Why businesses choose SPFZ
The zone has a reputation as the most ‘entrepreneurial’ entry into Sharjah — and for good reason:
- Packages from AED 5,750 for an e-commerce, publishing or media licence
- More than 2,000 available activities — you can combine publishing, trade and services
- The licence is issued almost instantly, the residence visa in 5 working days
- No paid-up share capital requirement, and a lease agreement included in every licence
- The option to expand the visa quota on a single licence without changing the legal entity
- Immigration services, banking support and offices — all in one building of the zone
Steps to register a company in SPFZ
The process is built around an online application and takes a minimum of steps:
- Choosing activities from the zone’s list — publishing, e-commerce, media, consulting and related fields
- Checking and reserving the company name through the zone’s service
- Submitting an online application with copies of the founders’ passports and a description of the activity
- Paying for the chosen package and receiving the digital licence with the incorporation documents
- Arranging the establishment card and residence visas for the founders and employees
- Opening a corporate bank account with the support of the zone’s banking team
The licence itself is issued on the day you apply — the zone bills the issue as instant. The visa, with a medical test and the Emirates ID, takes about 5 working days, and you should allow another one to two weeks for bank compliance.
Cost of setting up a company in SPFZ (2026)
SPC Free Zone publishes a starting price for its packages — from AED 5,750, with the final amount depending on the number of activities, visas and the workspace format. A cost calculator runs on the zone’s website, so you can obtain a quote before you apply.
| Cost item | Amount, AED | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce / publishing / media licence | from 5,750 | Starter package with no visa quota |
| Package with a visa quota | on request | Calculated via the zone’s calculator |
| Additional activities | on request | Multiple lines can be combined on one licence |
| Residence visa (per person) | on request | Medical test, Emirates ID; processed in 5 working days |
| Coworking or a private office | on request | Basic lease agreement included in the licence |
| Servicing and renewal (annual) | on request | Licence renewal plus lease |
A practical tip: budget for two years at once. A low entry ticket is one of SPFZ’s strengths, but renewing the licence, the visas and the lease creates a recurring annual payment that is worth seeing in advance.
Taxation in SPFZ
SPFZ companies are subject to the UAE’s general regime: corporate tax of 9% on profit above AED 375,000 a year and 0% below the threshold. VAT of 5% applies to most transactions inside the country, while the export of services abroad is in some cases zero-rated. Qualifying Free Zone Person status allows the 0% rate on qualifying income but requires meeting conditions on substance and revenue structure — it is confirmed annually in the reporting to the FTA.
Who SPFZ suits
The zone is tailored for light digital businesses with minimal overheads:
- Publishers, authors and content creators — the zone’s historical specialisation, with dedicated infrastructure
- Owners of online shops and e-commerce projects who need an inexpensive start and a warehouse as they grow
- Consultants, marketers and freelancers for whom a fast licence and a visa in a matter of days matter
“SPFZ is the best testing ground for a business idea in the UAE: the entry ticket is lower than in most of the country’s zones, and a licence covering two thousand activities means you don’t have to change your legal entity when you pivot your business model”, notes a senior lawyer at Dynasty Business Adviser.
Open your company in SPFZ with Dynasty Business Adviser
Dynasty Business Adviser will select an SPC Free Zone package to fit your model, calculate the budget two years ahead, prepare the documents and guide the registration through to the licence, the visa and the opening of a bank account — remotely at every stage the procedure allows.
Get a consultation
Pricing is current as at the publication date (13 July 2026) and verified against open sources, including spcfz.ae; confirm tariffs directly with the zone administration before payment.
