Sharjah · Free Zone
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone
Affordable Publishing & Printing Hub Starting from AED 5,750
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.
Key Features & Benefits
- 100% foreign ownership
- 0% corporate/income tax
- World's first publishing-dedicated free zone
- Freelancer licenses from AED 5,750
- UNESCO World Book Capital heritage
Pricing & Costs
From AED 5,750/yr Year 1 costs, renewals, and multi-year discounts
Pricing & Costs
From AED 5,750/yrYear 1 costs, renewals, and multi-year discounts
Year 1 cost range
Pricing
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone — Year 1 Fees
Last verified: May 2026
License Packages ⓘ
Freelancer Package
- License
- Registration
Starter Business
- License
- 1 visa
Note. Multi-year licenses (2–3 years) are typically 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: May 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
Open for business.
License to Ready: typical timeline
From licence issuance through visa processing, bank account opening, and operational readiness. Estimates based on published rates and typical UAE freezone reported timelines as of May 2026.
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, IBAN issued at setup where supported.
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?
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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 5,750
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
4.8★ (4,139 reviews) Customer reviews and alternatives
Reviews
4.8★ (4,139 reviews)Customer reviews and alternatives
Sourced from Google Maps — Last pulled September 2026
Reviews shown are unfiltered. Negative reviews often relate to third-party setup agencies rather than the freezone authority itself.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ SPC's service truly exceeded all my expectations! I had an outstanding experience, and I especially want to recognize Shahid Malik for his exceptional support. He was incredibly patient, highly knowledgeable, and took the time to explain every detail clearly and thoroughly. He handled my concerns with professionalism, urgency, and genuine care, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. His accuracy, efficiency, and dedication to providing excellent customer service are truly commendable. It's rare to come across someone so committed to helping clients. Thank you, Shahid, for going above and beyond! I highly recommend SPC to anyone looking for reliable and outstanding service.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the entire SPC Free Zone team for their exceptional support and dedication. We recently had an urgent case involving the cancellation of an employee visa and the visa stamping of a company investor who needed to travel back to his home country urgently to attend a funeral. Understanding the importance and sensitivity of the situation, the SPC team went above and beyond to assist us. Thanks to their outstanding efforts, the employee visa cancellation was completed within just one day, and the investor's visa stamping was also finalized on the same day. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and commitment made a significant difference during a very difficult time for our client. A special thank you goes to Ms. Fatima Zahrae Kaddar and Ms. Rania for their super-fast support, proactive communication, and willingness to help at every step of the process. Their dedication truly reflects the high standards of customer service at SPC Free Zone. Thank you once again to the entire SPC team for your remarkable support. Highly recommended!
I would like to sincerely thank Fatima Zahrae Kaddar for making my visa process so smooth and stress-free. I had a few hurdles along the way, but she handled everything professionally and efficiently. I never had to follow up or ask again — everything was taken care of, and the process was completed literally the very next day. If you are looking to establish your company in the UAE, I would highly recommend getting in touch with Fatima. She is truly a one-stop solution and one of the best in the business. Her knowledge, dedication, and commitment are exceptional. 💯 Thank you once again, Fatima, for all your support!
I had an excellent experience with SPC Free Zone from start to finish. The entire process was handled professionally, and I truly appreciate the teamwork and dedication shown. Hassan Mahamud played a major role in my company formation, and Cecilia provided excellent support during the bank account
I was really fortunate to have Mahaboob as my consultant. From day one, he took ownership of everything and was always thinking one step ahead. His commitment, attention to detail, and proactive approach made the entire process smooth from start to finish. What impressed me most was that he never settled for the minimum. He genuinely gives 120% and always looks for the best solution instead of the easiest one. Every company would be lucky to have someone like Mahaboob on their team. He sets the standard for what outstanding customer service should look like. Thank you again, Mahaboob. I truly appreciate everything you did for me.
Review data as of 1 September 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
10 common questions Common questions about setting up in this free zone
FAQ
10 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?
Do I need an advertiser permit if I'm a creator licensed in SPC?
What do reviews say about SPC Free Zone?
Does SPC Free Zone offer a service licence with a flexi desk?
Related guides
Deeper reading on topics relevant to Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone.
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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.
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Current published fees, what year 1 actually includes, and a setup checklist — sent to your inbox within 24 hours.
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Sources: Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone official siteSEDD (Sharjah Economic Development Department)Google Maps reviews Last verified June 2026
Not sure if Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone is right for you?
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