SPC Free Zone company setup is registration with Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, which grew out of publishing and printing and now licenses e-commerce, general trading, consultancy and many service activities. Setup is mostly digital, with flexi-desk and office packages. Our Sharjah branch in Business Tower, Al Majaz 2 files the application and any attestation, legal translation or notary work it needs.
Is SPC Free Zone Right for You?
| Question | SPC answer |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | E-commerce sellers, general traders, publishers and printers, consultants |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, shared office or private office |
| Typical activities | Online stores, general trading, publishing, printing, marketing, IT and training services |
| Remote setup | Mostly digital; you come to the UAE for the visa medical and fingerprints |
| Visas | Set by the package and facility |
| Selling on the UAE mainland | Not under a standard license; a mainland arrangement or a separate Sharjah mainland company is checked case by case |
Businesses that need heavy industrial space usually choose SAIF Zone or Hamriyah instead.
License Types at SPC
| License type | Examples of activities |
|---|---|
| Commercial / general trading | Trading in a wide range of goods, import and export |
| E-commerce | Online stores, marketplaces and digital products |
| Service / professional | Consultancy, marketing, IT, design and training services |
| Publishing and media | Book and content publishing, printing, distribution |
| Sharjah mainland option | Where the zone offers an arrangement for eligible activities, availability is confirmed at application |
The zone sets and updates its license types and activity lists. Activities from several groups can often be combined, and we check whether any needs an outside approval before applying.
Packages and Visa Numbers
Flexi-desk packages suit founders who need a few visas; shared or private offices suit larger teams. We match the package to your headcount and explain how visas can be added later.
Serving Customers in Sharjah and Opening a Bank Account
A standard SPC license covers work within the free zone and internationally. If you need to sell to customers in Sharjah directly, we check whether a mainland option is currently offered for your activities or whether a separate Sharjah mainland company is the better route. Banks review the activity, business plan and shareholder profiles; our company bank account support team prepares it.
Tax Position of an SPC Company
An SPC company meeting the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions can pay 0% on qualifying income, while other taxable income, including some mainland income, is taxed at 9% under the June 2023 regime. Mainland earnings make this more complex, so a registered tax agent should review your case.
Documents SPC Requests
- Passport of each shareholder and the manager, with UAE visa and Emirates ID for residents
- A photo, three trade name options and the activities you want
- Proof of address, where the zone asks for it
- For a company shareholder: certificate of incorporation, MOA/AOA, board resolution and good standing certificate, attested abroad and at the UAE embassy, then translated where required
Filed from Our Sharjah Office
The Al Majaz team (Office 3107, Business Tower, Corniche Street; +971 54 544 0234) handles SPC applications and renewals, legal translation in Sharjah and the attestation of corporate documents.
- WhatsApp your activities and visa count; the written quote names the package within 10–30 minutes.
- We secure name and activity approval and file the SPC application.
- After signing, the license is issued, with each step visible in online tracking.
- Next come the establishment card, visas and bank account support.
Official source: SPC Free Zone. Still comparing? See SHAMS company setup, the UAE free zones comparison and free zone business setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SPC Free Zone?
The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone. It was built around publishing and printing and now licenses e-commerce, trading, consultancy and other services too.
Can an SPC company work in the Sharjah mainland?
A standard free zone license does not cover direct mainland trading. We check whether a mainland option is offered for your activities; if not, a separate Sharjah mainland license is the usual route.
Can I set up an e-commerce company in SPC Free Zone?
Yes. E-commerce is one of the most common SPC activities and can often be combined with trading or services on the same license.
How many visas does an SPC license include?
It depends on the package and facility, and the written quote states the allocation.
Do I need to be in the UAE to set up an SPC company?
Much of the process is digital, and documents are collected and delivered free. Visa medicals and biometrics need you in the UAE.
SPC or SHAMS for an online store?
Both license e-commerce. SPC is often chosen when the store also trades physical goods or publishes content; SHAMS when the business is mainly media or creative services.
Can you renew my SPC license?
Yes. The Al Majaz team renews it on the zone's portal with any visas that fall due and reminds you ahead of the date.
Last updated: September 2026
