DET: 6201001 Low Risk
Software Development & IT Services
Flexi-Desk eligible
Sharjah Publishing City (SPC Free Zone)
Sharjah Publishing City (SPC Free Zone) is the UAE’s most cost-effective and agile free zone, offering lightning-fast license issuance in 24 hours with up to 205 activities.
✓ 1–2 day license turnaround✓ Digital Bank 98% Approval✓ No Annual Audit
1. Key Freezone Specifications
- Licensing Authority
- Sharjah Publishing City (SPC Free Zone) (SPC)
- Emirate
- SHARJAH
- License Issuance Timeline
- 1–2 working days
- Residence Visa Timeline
- 5–12 working days
- Virtual Desk / Flexi-Desk
- Available (no lease required)
- Office Threshold
- Required only for 7+ visas
- Warehouses & Industrial Units
- Commercial & desk only
- Paid-Up Share Capital
- Not required on bank deposit (0 AED)
- Annual Audit Requirement
- Exempt / Not required
- Physical Presence Required
- 100% remote company incorporation. 1-day UAE visit required only for Emirates ID biometrics.
2. Cost Breakdown & Tariffs
No Hidden Fees| Cost Item | Purpose | Official Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Company Trade License | Corporate registration & 1-year Flexi desk lease | 5,750 AED |
| Establishment Card (Immigration Card) | Company immigration file registration with GDRFA/ICP for visas | 1,800 AED |
| Residence Visa (Entry Permit + Visa Stamping) | UAE 2-year residence visa government quota & approval | ~3,200 AED / visa |
| VIP Medical & Emirates ID | VIP Medical fitness test + Emirates ID card issuance (2 yrs) | ~1,200 AED / person |
Turnkey Package Estimates:
0 Visas
5,750 AED
Pure license for tax residency or remote contracts
1 Investor Visa
11,950 AED
License + Est. Card + 1 Visa + VIP Medical & EID
2 Residence Visas
16,350 AED
For 2 partners or founder + key employee
3. Banking Assessment & Onboarding
Digital Banking (Digital Bank) 98% Approval
Tier 1: Instant remote digital approval
- • Timeline: opened in 3–7 working days
- • Multi-currency accounts (AED, USD, EUR, GBP) with zero minimum balance
- • Automated KYC verification via official freezone API
Traditional Tier-1 UAE Banks Medium Rating
Emirates NBD, Mashreq, FAB, ADCB
- • Opening timeline: from 1 weeks
- • Requires personal banker meeting and proof of residential address
- • Typical average balance requirement: 25,000–50,000 AED
4. Pros & Considerations
✓ Key Advantages
- • Lowest entry barrier in the UAE (packages starting from AED 6,875)
- • Fastest license turnaround (same-day or 24-hour issuance)
- • Include up to 205 business activities under a single trade license
- • Up to 7 residence visas on a flexible desk agreement without physical office
! Important Considerations
- • Sharjah jurisdiction may require extra paperwork at legacy traditional banks
- • Flexi-desk quotas may require annual validation
5. Compatible Activities
Top business activities approved for licensing under Sharjah Publishing City (SPC Free Zone)
DET: 7020005 Low Risk
Management Consultancy
Flexi-Desk eligible
DET: 4791001 Low Risk
E-Commerce & Online Retail
Flexi-Desk eligible
DET: 4690001 Medium Risk
General Trading
Flexi-Desk eligible
DET: 7311001 Low Risk
Marketing & Advertising Agency
Flexi-Desk eligible
DET: 6920001 Low Risk
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Flexi-Desk eligible
DET: 7410001 Low Risk
Design & Creative Services
Flexi-Desk eligible
DET: 8549001 Medium Risk
Professional Training & Coaching
Physical office required
DET: 7010001 Low Risk
Holding Company & SPV
Flexi-Desk eligible
DET: 7911001 Medium Risk
Tourism & Travel Agency
Physical office required
DET: 8230001 Low Risk
Event Management & Production
Flexi-Desk eligible
Looking for another activity? Sharjah Publishing City (SPC Free Zone) supports over 2,000 commercial and professional activities from the official DET classification. Contact us via WhatsApp for a tailored activity code confirmation.
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