Key takeaways
- Sharjah mainland licenses are issued by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD).
- SEDD charges AED 250 to reserve a trade name, AED 1,250 for a translated name and AED 2,250 for a foreign one, at the time of writing.
- SEDD's instant license needs no location, lease or MOA in its first year, and SEDD lists one working day to issue it.
- Sharjah's free zones include SAIF Zone, Hamriyah Free Zone, SPC Free Zone, Shams and SRTIP, each with its own authority.
- A free zone company sells on the mainland through a licensed distributor or a mainland branch or company.
Mainland or free zone: how the two routes differ
Both routes give you a company and visas. They differ on who licenses you, who you can sell to and what premises you need.
| Point | Mainland (SEDD) | Free zone |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | SEDD | The zone's own authority |
| Selling to mainland customers | Directly | Through a licensed mainland distributor or a mainland branch |
| Foreign ownership | Up to 100% for many activities; strategic activities can be restricted | 100% |
| Premises | Lease or title deed; none in year one with the instant license | A zone package: desk, office, warehouse or land |
| Staff visas | MOHRE work permit, then a residence visa | Through the free zone authority |
Adding offshore to the mix? See mainland vs free zone vs offshore.
How to get a Sharjah mainland license from SEDD
SEDD licenses commercial, professional, industrial and electronic activities. The standard route:
- 1. Choose your activity and legal form. SEDD's activity search shows each activity's requirements.
- 2. Reserve a trade name. It needs an Arabic meaning, with limited exceptions, can't use emirate or landmark names, and is valid 3 months.
- 3. Pass the technical evaluation and collect any approvals your activity needs.
- 4. Sort the premises: for a leased unit, pay the lease attestation fee and electricity deposit at SEWA.
- 5. Sign the legal contracts your legal form needs, such as a service agent contract.
- 6. Apply online with UAE PASS. Partners approve, you pay the voucher and SEDD issues the license. Its FAQ gives 5–7 business days where extra approvals are needed.
| SEDD fee | Amount at the time of writing |
|---|---|
| Trade name | AED 250; AED 1,250 translated; AED 2,250 foreign |
| Signboard permit | AED 200 |
| Commercial register certificate | AED 500 (sole proprietorship); other legal forms vary |
SEDD's license fee itself depends on the activity, legal form and nationality, and its own pages list different rates, so confirm the total on the payment voucher. Late renewal fines start at AED 200 a month and can reach AED 5,000 or more.
We prepare the trade name, contracts and application and follow up with SEDD; see mainland company formation.
SEDD's instant, e-commerce and home-based licenses
SEDD lists one working day for its instant license. In the first year you need no location, lease or, for a company, MOA. It's open to all nationalities, covers office activities that need no outside approvals, and needs only an Emirates ID or passport.
SEDD lists an AED 5,000 license fee plus AED 500 Chamber membership, but its payment step shows a voucher of AED 6,000 or AED 8,500, so confirm the total when you apply. Activities not on the instant list go through the standard license.
SEDD also issues an e-commerce license for UAE nationals and residents selling online without premises, and "Itimad", a home-based license for UAE nationals.
Sharjah free zones compared
Each zone sets its own packages and activity list. Here's what each says it focuses on.
| Free zone | What it focuses on | Published starting price |
|---|---|---|
| SAIF Zone | Trade, service and industrial companies next to Sharjah International Airport | Not published |
| Hamriyah Free Zone | Oil and gas, food, manufacturing, maritime and logistics, with a 14-metre deep-water port | Basic license from AED 11,000 (at the time of writing) |
| SPC Free Zone | Publishing, plus trading, professional, IT, e-commerce and marketing activities | From AED 5,750 |
| Shams | Media and creative businesses, startups and freelancers | From AED 5,750 (T&Cs apply) |
| SRTIP | R&D, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, sustainability and mobility | Not published |
SPC Free Zone's site lists setup from AED 5,750. Shams advertises setup from AED 5,750 (T&Cs apply); its Standard package is listed at AED 6,875 a year.
For packages and documents, see saif zone, hamriyah free zone, spc free zone, shams free zone and srtip.
Visas for owners and staff
Investors and business partners can qualify for the Green visa, a renewable 5-year residence visa. Compare it with other routes in visa options for business owners.
In a free zone, staff work permits and visas go through the zone authority, and your quota follows your package: SAIF Zone lists 3 visas with a SAIF Office and 8 with a SAIF Suite. On the mainland, MOHRE handles the work permit and the residence visa follows it.
Which route suits your business
- You'll sell to local customers: a mainland SEDD license lets you deal with them directly.
- You need a warehouse, port or airport: compare SAIF Zone and Hamriyah.
- You work in media, publishing or content: look at Shams and SPC.
- You're in R&D or advanced manufacturing: look at SRTIP.
- You want to test an idea without an office: compare SEDD's instant license with a free zone's entry package.
Compare the yearly total, including rent, visas and renewal, not just the license fee. Global Sky PRO prepares and submits your application and follows up; SEDD or the zone authority decides. See free zone company formation.
Sources
- SEDD: License issuance service guide
- SEDD: Instant license
- SEDD: FAQs
- u.ae: Steps to start a business on the mainland
- u.ae: Running a business in a free zone
- Hamriyah Free Zone: FAQ
- Shams: Company setup
Official sources checked on 9 November 2026. This guide explains published rules in plain English and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change; we check the current position for your case before you act.