IFZA vs SPC
International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) (Dubai) or Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone (Sharjah)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose IFZA for…
- A smoother banking track record
- A Dubai address on your licence
- Popular with consultants
- Popular with traders
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is a Dubai free zone based at the IFZA Business Park in Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis. It suits consultants, small traders and online businesses that want a Dubai licence at a mid-market price. A no-visa package typically starts from around AED 12,900 a year, with one- and two-visa tiers costing a few thousand more. Once your documents are ready, the licence itself is often issued within a week.
Choose SPC for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 7,364 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Popular with e-commerce sellers
- Popular with small traders
SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City) is a Sharjah free zone that, despite its name, licenses thousands of trading, e-commerce, consulting and media activities. It suits cost-conscious founders, online sellers and consultants who are happy with a Sharjah address on the Dubai border. Licence-only tiers start from around AED 5,000 to 6,900, and one-visa packages typically land near AED 13,000 to 15,000. Once documents are in order, the licence itself is often issued within one to three working days.
IFZA vs SPC side by side
| IFZA | SPC | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Sharjah |
| Packages from | AED 13,287 | AED 5,923 |
| Renewal from | AED 13,287 | AED 5,923 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~3 working days | ~3 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 7 | Up to 7 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office |
| Activity areas | Trading, Consultancy, E-commerce, Tech & IT, Media, Holding / SPV | E-commerce, Trading, Consultancy, Media, Freelance, Tech & IT |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | No |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2017 | 2017 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
IFZA in brief
IFZA started in 2017 and grew quickly because it made Dubai licensing feel like buying a product off a shelf. Instead of asking you to rent an office first and then calculate visa rights, it sells packages labelled by the number of residence visas they carry. You pick a tier, choose your activities and apply online, mostly through registered agents.
Strengths
- Dubai licence without Dubai premium-zone prices
- Clear package pricing tied to the number of visas
- Trading and service activities can usually sit on one licence
- No need to rent a real office until the team grows
Watch out for
- Not the cheapest UAE option once visa costs are added
- Fees are mostly sold through agents, so quotes can differ
- Silicon Oasis is outside central Dubai and has no metro
SPC in brief
The name puts many people off before they read further. Sharjah Publishing City was created by a 2017 decree of the Ruler of Sharjah as a home for book publishers, printers and distributors, and it still runs a busy publishing programme with stands at fairs such as Bologna and Beijing. Commercially, though, most of its licence holders have nothing to do with books.
Strengths
- Three clear tiers with VAT and government charges shown in the price, which makes budgeting simple.
- Broad activity list, so trading, e-commerce and consulting can often sit on one licence.
- Licence issuance is very quick once documents are approved.
- Easy road access from Dubai's eastern suburbs and Sharjah city.
Watch out for
- Sharjah address can be a weak point with some Dubai clients and tenders.
- Very few true office units; the flexi-desk model does not suit a team that needs a workspace.
- No warehousing or customs-bonded storage for physical stock.
IFZA vs SPC: common questions
Which is cheaper, IFZA or SPC?
On our current packages, SPC starts lower at around AED 5,923, against AED 13,287 for IFZA. Compare renewal too: IFZA renews from about AED 13,287 and SPC from about AED 5,923. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, IFZA or SPC?
IFZA allows up to 6 visas, depending on the office you lease. Both zones allow a similar maximum, so the office type decides your real quota.
Which is faster to set up, IFZA or SPC?
IFZA is typically quicker at around 3 working days for the licence once documents are complete. Visas take one to three more weeks in either zone.
Is a IFZA licence valid for business in Sharjah?
A free zone licence lets you operate inside the free zone and trade internationally. To sell directly to customers on the UAE mainland you usually need a distributor, a mainland branch or the right activity approvals, whichever zone you choose.
Can I move my company from IFZA to SPC later?
Moving between free zones is possible but it is not a simple transfer. You normally register the new company or a branch in the other zone and then close or keep the old one, which means extra fees and visa paperwork. It is cheaper to pick the right zone at the start.
IFZA or SPC? Ask an advisor
Tell us about your business. An advisor will recommend the best free zone and send you a full cost breakdown — usually within one working hour.
- Honest advice across all free zones
- Full cost breakdown — no hidden fees
- Licence, visa, bank account and tax in one place