SPC vs Ajman FZ
Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone (Sharjah) or Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) (Ajman)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose SPC for…
- More activities on one licence (up to 7)
- 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.
Choose Ajman FZ for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 155 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Warehouse options
- Popular with budget traders
- Popular with e-commerce sellers
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ), founded in 1988 beside Ajman Port, is one of the UAE's longest-running free zones and a popular low-cost choice. It suits budget traders, e-commerce sellers, service companies and small manufacturers who want offices, warehouses or factory units for less than Dubai. Licence-only packages are commonly quoted from about AED 5,500, while a first year with one visa usually lands around AED 20,000 to 26,000. Simple licences can be ready within a few working days.
SPC vs Ajman FZ side by side
| SPC | Ajman FZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | Ajman |
| Packages from | AED 5,923 | AED 5,768 |
| Renewal from | AED 5,923 | AED 5,768 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~3 working days | ~3 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 7 | Up to 5 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office, Warehouse |
| Activity areas | E-commerce, Trading, Consultancy, Media, Freelance, Tech & IT | Trading, E-commerce, Consultancy, Industrial, Freelance, Logistics |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | No |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2017 | 1988 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
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.
Ajman FZ in brief
Ajman Free Zone is often described only as cheap, which undersells it. Opened in 1988, it is among the oldest free zones in the country and sits on the waterfront next to Ajman Port, with a long history of trading houses, small factories and storage businesses. Its campus mixes office towers, warehouse rows and light-industrial units.
Strengths
- Long track record since 1988 and a large trading community.
- Low licence-only entry prices and often modest renewals.
- Warehouses and light-industrial units in the same zone as offices.
- Close to Ajman Port and major highways.
Watch out for
- No full public price list, so quotes vary widely.
- Ajman address may matter to some clients.
- Banks may ask more questions of small trading companies.
SPC vs Ajman FZ: common questions
Which is cheaper, SPC or Ajman FZ?
On our current packages, Ajman FZ starts lower at around AED 5,768, against AED 5,923 for SPC. Compare renewal too: SPC renews from about AED 5,923 and Ajman FZ from about AED 5,768. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, SPC or Ajman FZ?
SPC 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, SPC or Ajman FZ?
SPC 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 SPC licence valid for business in Ajman?
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 SPC to Ajman FZ 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.
SPC or Ajman FZ? 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