Company Setup
SRTIP Free Zone Setup 2026: Cost, Packages and Steps
SRTIP (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park) licences start from about AED 5,510. Packages, multi-year deals, visa costs, documents and steps for 2026.
SRTIP, the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, is Sharjah's free zone for technology, research and innovation. It sits beside University City, so it suits startups that want to work with the American University of Sharjah and the University of Sharjah, and it is one of the cheapest places in the UAE to hold a multi-year licence.
This guide covers SRTIP's 2026 packages, visa costs, the steps and how long setup takes.
The short answer: An SRTIP Standard licence with a virtual desk starts from about AED 5,510 with no visa. The Innovators package, which bundles the tenancy, establishment card and one visa, starts from about AED 13,990. A three-year zero-visa licence works out at about AED 4,400 a year. No paid-up share capital is required. Prices were checked on 2 November 2026 and change often, so always get a written quote before you pay.
SRTIP at a glance
| Emirate | Sharjah (University City) |
| Starting price | About AED 5,510 (Standard, 0 visas) |
| With a visa | Innovators package from about AED 13,990 |
| Activities | 958 activities; up to 5 per licence |
| Structures | FZE (one shareholder) or FZC (up to five) |
| Share capital | None required to be paid up |
SRTIP setup cost in 2026: starting prices and packages
| Package | Price (AED) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 5,510 to 14,935 | Licence and virtual desk; 0 to 6 visas, visa processing extra |
| Special | 8,510 to 18,935 | Standard plus extra park services |
| Innovators | 13,990 to 17,795 | Licence, tenancy, MOA/AOA, establishment card, e-channel, visa and Emirates ID (1 to 2 visas) |
| Standard, 3 years, 0 visas | 13,200 total | About 4,400 a year |
Source and date: SRTIP package prices as verified by a licensed partner in June 2026, checked 2 November 2026. SRTIP also runs limited-time SPARK promotions (from AED 3,999) and instalment plans; ask what is current.
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 medical: about AED 480.
- Emirates ID typing: about AED 390.
- Visa renewal (every two years): about AED 5,560.
- Health insurance for each visa holder.
- No deposits are required on visas.
- 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
SRTIP has 958 activities: 536 commercial, 420 service and 2 industrial, with up to five activities per licence. Its focus is technology, research and development, sustainability and advanced industries.
How to set up a company in SRTIP: step by step
- 1Name approvalAbout one day.
- 2Submit documentsOne to two days.
- 3Licence issuedThree to five working days.
- 4Establishment cardThree to five days.
- 5VisasAbout ten to twelve days.
- 6Bank accountAllow about three weeks.
Typical timeline: About five working days for a licence only; up to about three to four weeks with visas.
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
- Entry stamp or national ID if you are outside the UAE
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 SRTIP suits
- Tech startups and software companies
- R&D teams that want links to Sharjah's universities
- Founders who want the lowest multi-year licence cost
How SRTIP 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 | Sharjah | From AED 5,750 | E-commerce, consultants and solo founders |
| SRTIP (this guide) | 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: SRTIP starts from about AED 5,510 (Standard licence, 0 visas, partner-verified 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 SRTIP licence cost?
The Standard licence starts from about AED 5,510 with no visa. The Innovators package with one visa starts from about AED 13,990. SPARK promotions can be lower while they run.
Does SRTIP need share capital?
No paid-up share capital is required.
How many activities can I add to an SRTIP licence?
Up to five, from a list of 958 activities.
How long does SRTIP setup take?
About five working days for the licence, and three to four weeks including visas.
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 SRTIP? 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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