Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone — Affordable Publishing & Printing Hub Starting from AED 3,750
What is Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
World's first free zone dedicated to publishing and printing, aligned with Sharjah's UNESCO World Book Capital legacy. Budget-friendly licensing.
World's first free zone dedicated to publishing and printing, aligned with Sharjah's UNESCO World Book Capital legacy. Budget-friendly licensing.
Key Features & Benefits
- 100% foreign ownership
- 0% corporate/income tax
- World's first publishing-dedicated free zone
- Freelancer licenses from AED 3,750
- UNESCO World Book Capital heritage
Pricing & Costs
From AED 3,750/yr Year 1 costs, renewals, and multi-year discounts
Pricing & Costs
From AED 3,750/yrYear 1 costs, renewals, and multi-year discounts
Pricing
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone — Year 1 Fees
License Packages ⓘ
Freelancer Package
- License
- Registration
Starter Business
- License
- 1 visa
💡 Multi-year licenses (2–3 years) are eligible for a 15–20% discount when paid upfront.
Government Immigration Fees ⓘ
Renewal Fees ⓘ
All prices are in AED and exclude 5% VAT where applicable. Prices may change — verify directly with the freezone authority before making decisions. Last verified: 12 February 2026
Setup & Documents
5-14 days Step-by-step process, timeline, and required documents
Setup & Documents
5-14 daysStep-by-step process, timeline, and required documents
Setup Roadmap
Your journey from application to fully operational business.
Choose Business Activity
Select your business activity and license type from Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone's approved list
Reserve Trade Name
Submit trade name application for approval
Submit Documents
Upload passport copies, application form, and supporting documents
Pay License & Registration Fees
Complete payment for license and registration fees to Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone
Receive Trade License
License issued after document verification and payment confirmation
Apply for Visa & Open Bank Account
Submit visa application and business bank account opening
You're Open for Business!
Document Checklist
Everything you need to register your company with Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone.
Individual Shareholders
5 documents
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Passport-size photograph
- Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- Proof of address (utility bill <3 months)
- NOC from current sponsor (if applicable)
Corporate Shareholders
7 documents
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Board resolution authorizing UAE setup
- Valid passport of authorized signatory
- Share certificate
- Good standing certificate
- Apostilled/attested documents (if outside GCC)
- Passport copies must show at least 6 months validity from application date
- Documents from outside the GCC may require apostille or attestation
- Upload high-quality colour scans — minimum 300 DPI
- Corporate documents should be certified as true copies
Banking & Payments
3/5 ease · 3 partner banks Bank account opening, partner banks, and payment setup
Banking & Payments
3/5 ease · 3 partner banksBank account opening, partner banks, and payment setup
Banking
Corporate bank account opening with guaranteed IBAN.
Partner Banks
Emirates NBD
Major UAE bank with comprehensive business banking
Mashreq Bank
Digital-first banking with StartUp packages
RAKBANK
SME-friendly banking solutions
Documents Needed
- Apply to 2–3 banks simultaneously to maximise approval chances
- Prepare a clear business plan explaining your revenue model
- Have 3–5 sample contracts or invoices ready — even drafts work
- Consider digital banks like Wio for faster approval and zero minimum balance
Not sure if Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone is right for you?
Talk to an unbiased FreezoneMatch advisor. We'll help you compare options, avoid hidden costs, and find the best fit — completely free.
Why Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
8 key advantages Key advantages that set this free zone apart
Why Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
8 key advantagesKey advantages that set this free zone apart
Why Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
What makes this free zone stand out.
5-14 Day Setup
Standard company formation timeline. Fully remote setup available — no office visit required.
3 Partner Banks
Banking rated 3/5 (Moderate). Account opening typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Up to 15 Visas
2 years validity. Dependents allowed. Flexible allocation based on package.
0% Corporate Tax
On qualifying free zone income (QFZP status). 100% foreign ownership with full capital repatriation.
Mainland Trading Access
Multiple pathways to the mainland market including DET Permit and branch licensing.
Sharjah Location
Located near University City, Sharjah, focused on publishing and media industries
World's first publishing-dedicated fr...
A key advantage of setting up your business in Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone.
Freelancer licenses from AED 3,750
A key advantage of setting up your business in Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone.
- Publishing companies and businesses
- Printing companies and businesses
- Media companies and businesses
- E-Commerce companies and businesses
- General Business companies and businesses
- Businesses requiring specialized regulatory oversight not offered by this zone
Reviews
2.7★ (12 reviews) Customer reviews and alternatives
Reviews
2.7★ (12 reviews)Customer reviews and alternatives
I had a very negative experience with Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone when renewing my investor visa. Despite paying early on 28 November for visa renewal, VIP medical and Emirates ID delivery, SPC only submitted my application to immigration on 17 December, making it impossible to get my Emirates ID before my planned departure on 19 December. The delay was caused by internal handling problems and a blocked online portal that SPC never properly fixed, even though I reported the issue several times. Communication was extremely poor: I had to chase repeatedly for basic information such as the medical appointment, driver details and receipts, and several emails with clear questions remained unanswered or were answered only after formal complaints. One of the main contacts (Sonam) even accused me of being “impatient” and asked for my “cooperation”, although I had already paid for VIP services and had reorganised my travel based on their promises. Instead of one efficient point of contact, I was passed between many people (+11) and departments (concierge, customer service, applicant support, compliance, finance, renewals, etc.), yet key issues like the blocked portal and Emirates ID delivery settings were still not resolved in time. Overall, the process was disorganised, stressful and far from the “VIP” and professional service that was sold to me.
I want to warn everyone here: never open a company in this Free Zone. At first, they are very pleasant and helpful when assisting you with opening the company, but the problems start later—when you apply for a visa. I applied for a visa for my sister. Her diploma is already attested in Armenia by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but the Free Zone insists that the person must go to Armenia again, have the diploma attested at the UAE Embassy, then return and attest it again in the UAE. Only after that, they say, can the visa be issued. I explained that the person is already in the UAE and cannot leave the country, but that makes no difference to them. So please keep this in mind: if you open your company in this Free Zone, you will face many such problems.
I do not recommend SPC Free Zone. I faced ongoing challenges, including lack of clarity and misleading communication. The process was often unclear, and staff members seemed to hold different understandings of key matters, which added to the confusion. Overall, the operation felt disorganized, and I never felt truly welcomed or supported by most of their staff in their office. I hope they take serious measures to improve their service standards and client experience.
Hi, Afroz here I am very happy with the service of Nicolas Sir from B2B team. Some mistake happen from my side while placing the new visa and some technical issue happen same time. Has usual I contact Nicolas sir he dint told me to contact Technical team or send a mail to resolved. There is no option for sharing the screenshot of the chat other wise I would have done that he given me prompt Solution like always the way he does. The issue got resolve. He is best for customer service and understand the value of Time & Money of the client. SPC is a very good Freezone has they have good Team who cares for there every client.
Love this place. Everything was fast and clear from the first contact by Iyad Massarani. Lovely place, people are kind and helpful. Parking is behind the building. Thank you 😌
Review data as of 29 March 2026. For the latest reviews, visit Google Maps.
Find Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone on Google Maps
View location, hours, photos, and real-time reviews from Google Maps.
Reviews shown on Google Maps are from verified visitors and updated in real-time by Google.
Is Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone Right for You?
✅ Choose Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone if you...
- • publishing companies and businesses
- • printing companies and businesses
- • media companies and businesses
- • e-Commerce companies and businesses
🔄 Consider alternatives if you...
- • businesses requiring specialized regulatory oversight not offered by this zone
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Compare FAQ
7 common questions Common questions about setting up in this free zone
FAQ
7 common questionsCommon questions about setting up in this free zone
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up in Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone.
How much does it cost to set up in Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
How long does it take to set up a company in Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
How many visas can I get with Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
Can I sell to mainland UAE customers with a Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone license?
Do I pay corporate tax in Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
Do I need a physical office in Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
How do I open a bank account with a Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone license?
FreezoneMatch provides comparison tools based on publicly available data. We are not affiliated with Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone. Costs and regulations change — always confirm directly with the freezone authority before making decisions.
Not sure if Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone is right for you?
Talk to a FreezoneMatch advisor — we don't work for any freezone, so you'll get honest, unbiased guidance to find the best fit for your business.
Or contact Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone directly