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SPC Free Zone at a glance
| Full name | Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone |
|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah |
| License from | about AED 5,750 (e-publishing license from about AED 4,999) |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership |
| Activities | 1,300+ available, several activities on one license |
| Workspace | Flexi-desk included |
| Dual license | Yes, free zone + Sharjah mainland |
| Setup time | Often 1 to 2 working days once documents are complete |
| Setup | Fully remote, no visit needed to start |
SPC Free Zone license types and costs (2026)
| License | Price (per year) | Activities available | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-Publishing | from about AED 4,999 | Digital publishing only | Online publishers, bloggers, digital content |
| Publishing | from about AED 5,750 | About 250, including e-commerce | Online stores, media, publishing |
| Standard | from about AED 6,875 | About 1,380 across all sectors | Trading, consulting, services, most businesses |
Tip: the Publishing license includes e-commerce activities, which makes SPC one of the cheapest routes to an e-commerce license in the UAE.
SPC Free Zone visa costs
| Package | Approximate total |
|---|---|
| License only (0 visas) | from about AED 5,750 |
| License + 1 visa | about AED 13,000 to 13,200 |
| License + 2 visas | about AED 17,700 |
| License + 3 visas | about AED 22,200 |
Totals include the establishment card, visa processing, medical and Emirates ID. Health insurance is extra. Visa quotas depend on your package and workspace.
Can I live in Dubai with an SPC visa? Yes. A UAE residence visa lets you live anywhere in the country, and many SPC company owners live and work in Dubai.
SPC dual license: free zone + Sharjah mainland
SPC can issue a dual license. Your company is licensed in the free zone and on the Sharjah mainland, without setting up a separate mainland company.
- Good for: general trading, e-commerce and businesses that want to sell directly to customers in Sharjah
- Limit: the mainland part covers Sharjah. Trading on the mainland of other emirates, such as Dubai, needs a separate arrangement
Most online and service businesses do not need it. We will tell you before you pay for it.
SPC Free Zone activities
SPC offers 1,300+ activities under the Standard license. Popular categories include e-commerce and online trading, general trading, media and publishing, marketing and advertising, IT and software, consulting, education and training, and events.
Search every code in our SPC Free Zone activity list. Some activities need external approval, for example food, health and education. We check your activity before you apply.
How to set up a company in SPC Free Zone: 6 steps
- Choose your license type and activities. We match your business to the cheapest license that covers it.
- Reserve your trade name.
- Submit documents: passport copies of all shareholders, a photo, and a visa or entry stamp.
- Sign and pay. Your license, Memorandum of Association, share certificate and lease agreement are issued.
- Establishment card and visas, if you need them, then the medical test and Emirates ID.
- Open a corporate bank account. We support your application with UAE banks.
Entityz handles all 6 steps. You sign digitally and attend the medical and biometrics appointments.
Get your SPC cost breakdown
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We will send a full SPC quote, plus the next cheapest alternative.
Get My Free QuoteSPC vs other affordable free zones
| SPC | Shams | Meydan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | Sharjah | Dubai |
| License from | about AED 5,750 | about AED 5,750 | AED 12,500 |
| E-commerce | Yes, Publishing license | Yes | Yes |
| Activities per license | Several, within the license type | Up to 5 | Up to 3 |
| Best for | Lowest cost + Sharjah mainland access | Media and creative businesses | A Dubai address |
Choose SPC if cost matters most, or if you want Sharjah mainland access. Choose a Dubai free zone if your clients expect a Dubai address. Compare in detail: Shams Free Zone guide and Meydan Free Zone guide.
Pros and cons of SPC Free Zone
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Among the cheapest licenses in the UAE | A Sharjah address, not Dubai |
| Fully remote setup | The dual license covers Sharjah mainland only |
| E-commerce included in the Publishing license | Visa add-ons raise the total cost quickly |
| Dual license option | Some banks ask more questions of low-cost free zone companies |
Entityz has set up businesses for more than 500 entrepreneurs from over 50 nationalities, with a 95% client retention rate. Read more about our free zone company setup service.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Entityz is an independent business setup consultancy and is not SPC Free Zone; for SPC's own portal visit spcfz.ae. Prices are market starting figures gathered in September 2026 and change from time to time. We confirm the current price for your activities and visas before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in SPC Free Zone?
Licenses start from about AED 5,750 a year (Publishing license), with an e-publishing license from about AED 4,999. With one residence visa, the total is about AED 13,000 to 13,200.
What does SPC stand for?
SPC stands for Sharjah Publishing City. SPC Free Zone is a free zone in Sharjah that licenses publishing, media, e-commerce, trading, consulting and many other activities.
Can I do e-commerce in SPC Free Zone?
Yes. The Publishing license includes e-commerce activities, which makes SPC one of the cheapest e-commerce license options in the UAE.
Does SPC Free Zone offer a dual license?
Yes. SPC can issue a dual license covering the free zone and the Sharjah mainland. It does not cover the mainland of other emirates.
Can I live in Dubai with an SPC Free Zone visa?
Yes. A UAE residence visa lets you live anywhere in the UAE, including Dubai.
How many activities can I add to an SPC license?
You can combine several activities on one license. The activities must fall under the license type you choose. The Standard license gives access to 1,300+ activities.
How long does SPC company setup take?
Often 1 to 2 working days for the license once your documents are complete. Visas and the bank account take longer.
Is Entityz the official SPC Free Zone website?
No. Entityz is an independent business setup consultancy and a direct authorized partner of SPC Free Zone. For SPC's own portal, visit spcfz.ae. We help you choose, apply and set up.
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