Sharjah mainland company setup
A lower-cost mainland base next to Dubai, strong for trading, distribution and manufacturing, with full UAE market access.
Sharjah mainland
What is a Sharjah mainland company?
Sharjah borders Dubai and sits close to the Northern Emirates, with an established base of ports, warehouses and manufacturers. Licences are issued by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD).
Licensing, office and running costs are generally lower than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, which suits SMEs, traders and industrial firms that want mainland reach without Dubai overheads.
- Trade across all emirates and internationally
- Up to 100% foreign ownership for most activities
- Eligible to bid for government contracts
- Lower costs than larger emirates
- Strong port, warehouse and logistics access
Why mainland
Benefits of a mainland licence
Trade across the UAE
Sell to anyone in all seven emirates and abroad, with no zone boundary limiting your market.
Up to 100% ownership
Most activities no longer need a local partner. We confirm the rules for your activity.
Government contracts
Mainland companies can bid for government and semi-government work.
Choose your location
Place your office where your customers and team are, anywhere in the emirate.
Scalable hiring
Your visa quota grows with your office space as the business grows.
Wide activity range
Commercial, professional and industrial activities under one licensing framework.
Why Sharjah?
- Well suited to manufacturing and distribution
- Close to Dubai, Ajman and the Northern Emirates
- Flexible office options for some licence types
Compare
mainland or free zone?
Both routes give you a UAE company. The right one depends on where your customers are and how you plan to operate.
| Feature | mainland | Free zone |
|---|---|---|
| Market access | All emirates and international markets | Within the zone and export; UAE sales usually via a distributor |
| Government contracts | Eligible to bid | Generally not eligible |
| Office | Physical premises and registered tenancy | Flexi-desk or virtual often possible |
| Ownership | Up to 100% for most activities | 100% foreign ownership |
| Corporate tax | 9% on profit above AED 375,000 | Qualifying Free Zone Persons may pay 0% on qualifying income |
| Visa quota | Linked to office size | Linked to the zone package |
Licence types
Licences in Sharjah
Issued by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD). The licence has to match your actual activity.
Commercial licence
General trading, import and export, logistics and e-commerce.
Professional licence
IT, legal, consultancy, marketing and project services.
Industrial licence
Manufacturing, processing, storage and packing.
Special permits
Tourism, freelance, healthcare, education and agricultural activities.
Popular sectors
Set-up process
8 steps to your Sharjah licence
Choose activity and legal structure
We match your business to the right licence and structure, such as an LLC, sole establishment or branch.
Reserve your trade name
We check availability and reserve a compliant name with the economic authority.
Get initial approval
We file your application so the authority can approve your activity and shareholders.
Lease and register your office
We help you find suitable premises and register the tenancy with the right authority.
Prepare and notarise documents
We draft the Memorandum of Association and gather all shareholder documents.
Secure external approvals
Regulated activities such as healthcare, education or transport need extra clearances. We handle them.
Pay fees and receive your licence
We submit the final application, pay the fees and collect your trade licence.
Bank, visas and tax registration
We open your corporate account, process visas and register you for corporate tax and VAT.
Office requirements
A registered tenancy contract with the Sharjah municipality is required, usually for at least a year. Professional licences often need only a small office, while trading and industrial activities need more space. Visa quota follows office size.
Corporate tax and VAT
Corporate tax on taxable profit above AED 375,000. Below that, 0%.
VAT once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000.
Registration with the Federal Tax Authority is required. We handle corporate tax and VAT registration and ongoing filings. Rules can change, so we confirm current thresholds when you apply.
Pricing
Sharjah mainland costs
Indicative pricing only. Government fees and final costs may vary.
Up to AED 40,000+ for a complete set-up
| Cost component | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Trade licence | AED 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Office space | AED 8,000 – 15,000 |
| Visa processing | AED 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Total set-up | AED 10,000 – 40,000 |
Documents
What you need to provide
We prepare, translate and submit everything. This is what we'll ask you for.
- Completed application form
- Passport copies for all shareholders and managers
- Approved trade name certificate
- Initial approval certificate
- Notarised Memorandum of Association (where applicable)
- Registered tenancy contract for your premises
- External approvals for regulated activities
- NOC from your current UAE employer, if employed
Other emirates
Compare mainland locations
Sharjah mainland FAQ
Licence in about 7–10 days. The full process, including premises, visas and a bank account, usually takes longer. We give you a timeline once we know your activity.
For most activities you can own up to 100% of the company. Certain strategic or regulated sectors may still need a local partner or service agent, and we confirm this for your activity.
Yes. A mainland licence lets you trade across all emirates and internationally, subject to your licensed activity and any local permits.
Physical office required. A registered tenancy contract with the Sharjah municipality is required, usually for at least a year. Professional licences often need only a small office, while trading and industrial activities need more space. Visa quota follows office size.
UAE corporate tax is 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000, with 0% below that threshold. Registration with the Federal Tax Authority is required. VAT of 5% applies once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000.
Cost depends on your activity, office, visa count and any external approvals. After a short consultation we send a written quote with every government fee itemised.
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