Sharjah Free Zone Company Registration
Starting a business can be difficult, especially when faced with complex legal procedures and unfamiliar regulations. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process of setting up your company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly within free zones like those in Sharjah, you’re not alone.
Key Free Zones in Sharjah
Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZ)
This is a key area for business in Sharjah. It offers facilities like warehouses and industrial units. Companies here can enjoy quick access to the Gulf i.e., Persian Gulf and global markets. HFZ also offers many benefits, such as tax exemptions.
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC)
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone(SPC) is another vital zone. It focuses on publishing and media businesses. Companies can get licenses quickly and with ease. SPC supports startups by offering flexible rental spaces at low rates.
Sharjah Media City Free Zone
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) Free Zone is the newest free zone in the UAE, rapidly growing beyond its media focus. It caters to many types of business such as buying and selling services as well as the formation of a business with only one shareholder.
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
The Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) is a premier free zone in the UAE, offering benefits like foreign ownership, a strategic location, and global networking. While it accounts for one-third of Sharjah’s industrial activities, it covers a wide number of business segments other than manufacturing.
Steps of Company Registration in Sharjah Free Zone, UAE
To register a company in the Sharjah Free Zone, start by securing initial approval. Then, complete the Sharjah Free Zone company registration process to get your licensing and visa. The process is smooth and allows corporations to enjoy their company formation process without worrying about bureaucratic red tape and legal formalities.
Secure Initial Approval
Submit an application form and a clear business plan. Ensure you include audited financial reports and a bank account reference. Passport copies and a letter of intent are also required.
Contact the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF) or any other sector-specific zone for initial approval. They will review your documents carefully. Pay attention to detail in all papers and forms to avoid delays.
Complete the Registration Process
After securing initial approval, proceed to complete the Sharjah Free Zone company registration. To conduct business, first reserve a company name that complies with all naming guidelines.
Deposit the minimum capital required for your business type. Sign all documents in front of officials. This may include the memorandum and articles of association. Ensure everything is notarized.
Once registered, you will receive your certificate of origin. You can then move on to licensing and visa procedures. Proper documentation speeds up your process. Complete every step carefully to avoid delays with authorities like SPCFZ or DIFC.
Obtain Licensing and Visa
Obtain the required licenses for your business first. Choose a commercial license, trading license, or professional license based on what your business will do. Pay attention to visa quotas and workforce limits.
Next, get visas for you and your staff. You can apply for multi-year visas through the Sharjah Free Zone. Make sure to renew licenses on time to avoid penalties. Now proceed with the remaining company registration steps in the Sharjah Free Zone by securing initial approval and completing the registration process.
Submit Enquiry
Available Licensing Options for Business Setup in Sharjah Free Zones
Sharjah Free Zones offers a number of licenses required to meet different business needs. Business activity determines the number of licenses you require. Explore the options and choose the best and most cost-effective license for your company.
Obtain a Commercial License
In order to obtain a commercial license in the Sharjah Free Zone, provide your business plan and other required documents for the application process. This type of business license is required for trading and selling products. It includes pro services such as logistics, automobile rentals, and real estate services performed in the region.
Secure a Trading License
A trading license in the Sharjah Free Zone allows you to buy, sell, and distribute goods. The starting cost for this license is AED 5,750. A trading license opens doors to global markets, availing all the advantages that a developing economic trading hub provides.
Acquire a Professional License
A professional license in the Sharjah Free Zone is ideal for service providers. These include fields like legal, consulting, accounting, and healthcare services. The cost starts at AED 6,875. SPC Free Zone allows you to get a business license in just 45 minutes.
Advantages of Establishing a Business in Sharjah Free Zone
Establishing a business in the Sharjah Free Zone offers many benefits. The business environment in the free zone is free from red tape and legal formalities. Businesses can tap into global markets from a strategic location, and modern amenities and enjoy significant tax exemptions.
Benefit from Strategic Location
Sharjah is the third largest emirate of the UAE and it is close to Sharjah International Airport, enabling easy transportation and logistics. Businesses can access over 2 billion clients in the Middle Eastern and North African regions. The zone covers an area of 2,600 square kilometers. This large space allows for ample development and expansion opportunities.
Companies also benefit from proximity to major markets like Dubai, Oman, and Abu Dhabi. These advantages make Sharjah an ideal place for company formation and foreign direct investments, situating it as a privileged hub with unmatched investment opportunities.
Enjoy Tax Exemptions
Businesses in the Sharjah Free Zone enjoy many tax benefits. They get 100% exemptions from import and export duties. This means you save money on goods entering or leaving your business.
Also, there are no currency restrictions or transfer limits. You can freely move funds in and out of the country. This gives you more control over your finances, making it easier for foreign investment and international trade.
Access Global Markets
Enjoy tax exemptions and expand your reach. Sharjah Free Zones have a strategic location between Asia, Europe, and Africa. This position helps businesses access global markets with ease. The well-developed transportation infrastructure supports exports and imports.
Companies in Sharjah enjoy benefits like free trade agreements. They can ship goods to many countries without heavy tariffs or customs fees. The key industries include IT, healthcare, media, logistics, and manufacturing sectors which use this advantage for growth worldwide.
Sharjah Free Zone offers various licenses for small and medium-sized enterprises, including industrial licenses, which cater to sector-specific zones and businesses involved in manufacturing. A license is required to set up a business in these zones.
The license fee depends on the type of business activity to be performed. Fees vary for different sectors such as tourism, warehousing, and retail space.
Yes, you can form a limited liability company (LLC) or other legal structures like partnerships based on your professional qualifications and business needs.
Yes, businesses must comply with regulations regarding trademarks and copyrights to ensure proper governance within the free zone.
Yes, certain documents need to be notarized during the registration process to meet international standards set by organizations like the World Trade Organization.
Registering here supports sustainable development goals through initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and align with global standards against issues like terrorism financing.
DISCLAIMER –
This content is for informational purposes only and provided “as is.” We make no guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information. Any reliance on it is at your own risk. We are not responsible for any losses or damages resulting from its use.
Fees and costs mentioned are for reference only, subject to change, and may vary based on individual circumstances.