Company Setup
SPC Free Zone Setup 2026: Cost, Visas and Steps (Sharjah Publishing City)
SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City) licences start at AED 5,750. Standard licence cost, visa packages, up to 25 visas, documents and steps for 2026.
SPC Free Zone, Sharjah Publishing City, began as a free zone for publishers and printers and is now one of the most popular low-cost options in the UAE for e-commerce, consultancy and general trading. It is a short drive from Dubai and runs almost entirely online.
This guide explains the 2026 starting prices, the visa options, what you need to apply and how long it takes.
The short answer: SPC Free Zone's licence starts at AED 5,750 with no visa (e-commerce and publishing tier), and the Standard licence at AED 6,875. A one-visa package is typically about AED 13,000 to 14,500. No paid-up share capital is required and a licence can carry up to 25 visas. Prices were checked on 2 November 2026 and change often, so always get a written quote before you pay.
SPC at a glance
| Emirate | Sharjah |
| Starting price | AED 5,750 (0 visas) |
| Standard licence | AED 6,875 (0 visas) |
| 1-visa package | About AED 13,000 to 14,500 |
| Visa ceiling | Up to 25 visas per licence |
| Share capital | None required to be paid up |
| Office | Flexi-desk or co-working; no physical office required |
SPC Free Zone setup cost in 2026: starting prices and packages
| Package | Price (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce / publishing licence, 0 visas | 5,750 | SPC published price |
| Standard licence, 0 visas | 6,875 | SPC published price |
| Licence + 1 visa | 13,165 to 14,325 | Typical partner price, 2026 |
Source and date: SPC Free Zone's own published figures for the licence tiers; one-visa totals are typical 2026 partner prices. Checked 2 November 2026. Lower promotional prices circulate but do not match SPC's tiers, so ask what is included.
Costs to budget for on top of the licence
A low headline price rarely covers everything. Before you compare quotes, check whether each one includes these:
- Visa allocation: about AED 1,600 per visa plus processing.
- Medical and Emirates ID for each visa holder.
- Health insurance for each visa holder.
- Regulated activities need approvals from outside authorities and take longer.
- Corporate tax: a free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions; other income is taxed at 9%. All companies must register for corporate tax, so take tax advice before you choose a structure.
Licence types and activities
SPC covers general trading, professional and consulting services, e-commerce, and publishing, printing and media. Many activities can sit on one licence. Shareholder limits differ between sources, so confirm the limit for your structure.
How to set up a company in SPC: step by step
- 1Talk to an SPC advisorConfirm your activities and visa needs.
- 2Apply onlineUpload passports and supporting documents.
- 3Licence issuedSPC advertises an instant licence; allow two to seven days.
- 4ResidencySPC states residency can be processed in about five working days.
- 5Bank account and extrasOptional SPC Plus services cover banking and tax.
Typical timeline: Licence in as little as a day, typically within a week; residency in about five working days after that.
Documents you need
Individual shareholders usually need:
- Passport copy for every shareholder and manager (at least six months' validity)
- Passport-size photo
- Proof of residential address
- Two or three trade name options and your chosen activities
- NOC if required for your current visa
Corporate shareholders (a company owning the new company) usually need its certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, a board resolution approving the setup, a certificate of good standing and, often, a power of attorney for the person signing. Documents issued outside the UAE must be attested (notarised, legalised and stamped by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and translated into Arabic or English where needed before the free zone will accept them.
Where DocuGulf helps
DocuGulf does not sell free zone licences. We handle the documents that delay most setups, so your application goes in complete the first time:
- Attestation of overseas corporate documents, board resolutions and degree certificates, from AED 230 per document.
- Certified true copies of passports and company papers for banks and free zones, AED 300 per set.
- Legal translation by MOJ-certified translators.
- Power of attorney drafting and notarisation if someone signs on your behalf.
- Trademark filing to protect your new brand name in the UAE.
Who SPC suits
- E-commerce and dropshipping businesses
- Consultants and solo founders
- Businesses that want a cheap licence with room for many visas
How SPC compares with other UAE free zones
Starting prices for the free zones we cover, checked 2 November 2026. Each name links to its own guide.
| Free zone | Emirate | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | From AED 12,500 | Remote founders who want a Dubai address fast |
| IFZA | Dubai | From about AED 12,900 | Cost-conscious SMEs that want a Dubai free zone |
| DMCC | Dubai | From AED 35,484 | Trading and commodity firms that want a premium Dubai address |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Abu Dhabi | From AED 7,000 | Tech, cleantech and startups that want an Abu Dhabi base |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | From about AED 6,000 | Industrial, logistics and cost-conscious SMEs |
| SPC Free Zone (this guide) | Sharjah | From AED 5,750 | E-commerce, consultants and solo founders |
| SRTIP | Sharjah | From about AED 5,510 | Tech startups, R&D and innovators |
| SHAMS | Sharjah | From about AED 5,750 | Freelancers, creators and media agencies |
| Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone | Umm Al Quwain | From about AED 5,500 | Low-cost traders and remote founders |
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | From about AED 5,565 | Traders and SMEs that need several visas cheaply |
| Fujairah Creative City | Fujairah | From AED 3,999 | Media, creative and freelance businesses on a tight budget |
Key takeaways: SPC Free Zone starts from AED 5,750 (e-commerce/publishing licence, 0 visas, SPC published price). Add visas, the establishment card, medicals, Emirates ID, insurance and workspace to compare quotes fairly, and get any overseas shareholder documents attested early, because that is the step that most often holds up a setup.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an SPC Free Zone licence cost?
From AED 5,750 for the e-commerce and publishing licence with no visa, and AED 6,875 for the Standard licence. A one-visa package is typically AED 13,000 to 14,500.
How many visas can an SPC company get?
Up to 25 visas per licence, according to SPC's setup guide.
Do I need an office in SPC Free Zone?
No physical office is required. A flexi-desk or co-working agreement is enough for most activities.
Is share capital required in SPC?
No paid-up share capital is required.
A note on scope: DocuGulf is a documentation facilitation service. All regulated work is performed by licensed notaries, lawyers, translators and approved typing centres, and we do not provide legal, tax or company formation advice. Free zone prices on this page are published or typical partner prices as of 2 November 2026; the free zone and its licensed partners set the final price. Reach us at info@docugulf.com or +971 58 569 3628.
Setting up in SPC? Get your documents ready first.
Tell us who the shareholders are and where their documents were issued. We'll confirm what needs attesting, translating or certifying, with the price and timeline, before you pay anything.
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