Sharjah Mainland (SEDD)

Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD / Sharjah Mainland) is an economical gateway to the UAE domestic market, renowned for affordable industrial plots and manufacturing facilities.

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✓ 2–5 day license turnaround✓ 100% Foreign Ownership✓ Digital Bank 98% Approval

from 14,500 AED

Starting authority setup fee

2–5 days

Full license turnaround time

100%

Domestic UAE & International trade

1. Key Mainland Specifications

Licensing Department: Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD)
Emirate: SHARJAH
Foreign Ownership: 100% foreign ownership (no local sponsor needed)
Commercial Tenancy System: Tasheel / SEDD (mandatory for residence visas)
License Timeline: 2–5 working days
Residence Visa Timeline: 5–12 working days
Corporate Tax: 0% up to AED 375k net taxable profit; 9% on excess
Physical Presence: 100% remote company incorporation. 1-day UAE visit required only for Emirates ID biometrics.

2. Cost Breakdown & Tariffs

Official DED Fees

Cost Item	Purpose	Official Fee
DED Commercial License Fee	Trade name reservation, Initial Approval and official license voucher	14,500 AED
Establishment Card (Immigration File)	Immigration file registration in ICP/GDRFA to open visa quotas	2,000 AED
Residence Visa Quota & Stamping (2 yrs)	Entry permit, status adjustment, and 2-year residency visa sticker	~3,600 AED / visa
VIP Medical & Emirates ID	Fast-track medical fitness test and biometrics for Emirates ID card	~1,200 AED / person

Turnkey Package Estimates:

License Only

14,500 AED

Pure mainland commercial license for remote trading or corporate branches

1 Investor Visa

21,300 AED

License + Est. Card + 1 Investor Visa + VIP Medical & Emirates ID

2 Residence Visas

26,100 AED

For 2 partners or founder + managing director

3. Corporate Banking Assessment

Digital Banking (Digital Bank) Top Priority

Tier 1: Fast remote digital approval

• Timeline: opened in 3–7 working days
• Multi-currency accounts (AED, USD, EUR, GBP) with zero minimum balance
• Direct API integration with DED registry for rapid automated KYC

Traditional Tier-1 UAE Banks High Status

Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), FAB, Mashreq

• Opening timeline: 2–4 weeks
• Dedicated relationship manager and trade finance / credit facilities
• Typical average balance: 25,000–50,000 AED

4. Pros & Considerations

✓ Mainland Advantages

• Substantially lower commercial real estate rents compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi
• Strong industrial, manufacturing, and general wholesale trading hub
• 100% foreign ownership for majority of commercial and professional activities
• Strategic geographical bridge connecting northern emirates with Dubai

! Important Nuances

• Tenancy contract attestation required for company establishment
• Conservative regulatory oversight by Sharjah Municipality for specific sectors

5. Registration Process

Trade Name & Initial Approval

1 day

Trade name reservation and initial pre-approval from the Department of Economic Development.

Commercial Lease Registration (Tasheel / SEDD)

1–2 days

Signing commercial lease agreement and registering via Tasheel / SEDD tenancy system.

Signing Memorandum of Association (MoA)

1 day

Digital or notary attestation of corporate Memorandum and payment of the final DED payment voucher.

Establishment Card & Residence Visas

5–7 days

Opening ICP immigration file, issuing Entry Permits, VIP medical fitness test, and Emirates ID card.

Corporate Bank Account Activation

3–7 days

Remote onboarding with Digital Bank in 3–7 days or personal banker interview at Tier-1 commercial bank.

6. Compatible Activities

Top business activities approved under Sharjah Mainland (SEDD)

All Activities ›

DED: 6201001 Low Risk