SHAMS
Sharjah
- Price
- fromAED 5,923Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~2 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 6 visas
Best for: Freelancers and content creators, Media and marketing agencies
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Free zones in Sharjah
6 free zones compared, with packages from AED 5,923. Independent research, honest pros and cons, and packages you can buy online.
Setting up a company in Sharjah
Sharjah sits right next to Dubai and is known for culture, education and a large industrial and manufacturing base. Many people who work in Dubai live in Sharjah, and many businesses choose it because it offers a Dubai-adjacent location at lower cost.
Its free zones cover very different needs. SHAMS and Sharjah Publishing City are popular low-cost choices for media, consultants, e-commerce sellers and freelancers. SAIF Zone sits beside Sharjah International Airport and suits trading and logistics, Hamriyah Free Zone offers port access and heavy industry plots, SRTIP targets research and technology, and Sharjah Healthcare City licenses medical providers.
Sharjah is generally priced below Dubai. Simple licence packages in the media and publishing zones often start from around AED 6,000 to 12,000 before visas, while industrial and port-side setups depend on land and warehouse rent. These are estimates; confirm the current fee before applying.
Sharjah suits budget-conscious founders who still want to be close to Dubai, manufacturers who need cheaper land, and media, publishing or education businesses that match the emirate's cultural focus.
How to choose in Sharjah
- For a low-cost services or e-commerce licence, compare SHAMS and Sharjah Publishing City packages side by side.
- If you import, export or store goods, look at SAIF Zone for airport access or Hamriyah for port access and larger plots.
- Choose SRTIP if you are a tech, research or innovation company that wants a campus environment.
- Pick Sharjah Healthcare City only for regulated medical activities such as clinics, pharmacies or medical trading.
- Check the commute: Sharjah to Dubai traffic can be heavy at peak hours, which matters if your clients are in Dubai.
Lowest starting price
SHAMS
AED 5,923
Largest visa quota
HFZA
Up to 12 visas
Fastest typical setup
SHAMS
~2 working days
All Sharjah free zones
SPC
Sharjah
- Price
- fromAED 5,923Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~3 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 6 visas
Best for: E-commerce sellers, Small traders
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SAIF Zone
Sharjah
- Price
- fromAED 13,390Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~7 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 10 visas
Best for: Traders using Sharjah Airport, Light manufacturing
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HFZA
Sharjah
- Price
- fromAED 12,875Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~10 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 12 visas
Best for: Heavy industry, Port-linked traders
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SHCC
Sharjah
- Price
- fromAED 30,900Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~45 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 10 visas
Best for: Clinics and day-surgery centres, Pharmacies
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SRTIP
Sharjah
- Price
- fromAED 7,725Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~8 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 6 visas
Best for: Research and tech startups, Innovation projects
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| Free zone | From | Visas | Setup | In short |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHAMS | AED 5,923 | Up to 6 | ~2 days | Freelancers and content creators, Media and marketing agencies |
| SPC | AED 5,923 | Up to 6 | ~3 days | E-commerce sellers, Small traders |
| SAIF Zone | AED 13,390 | Up to 10 | ~7 days | Traders using Sharjah Airport, Light manufacturing |
| HFZA | AED 12,875 | Up to 12 | ~10 days | Heavy industry, Port-linked traders |
| SHCC | AED 30,900 | Up to 10 | ~45 days | Clinics and day-surgery centres, Pharmacies |
| SRTIP | AED 7,725 | Up to 6 | ~8 days | Research and tech startups, Innovation projects |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
Sharjah free zone FAQs
Is a Sharjah free zone cheaper than a Dubai free zone?
Sharjah packages are generally less expensive, especially in the media and publishing zones. Office and visa costs also tend to be lower, though the gap depends on the zone and services you choose.
Which Sharjah free zone is best for e-commerce?
SHAMS and Sharjah Publishing City are commonly used for e-commerce and online services, while SAIF Zone may suit sellers who hold stock. Compare activity lists and warehouse needs first.
Can I live in Dubai with a Sharjah free zone visa?
A UAE residence visa allows you to live in any emirate, and many Sharjah visa holders live in Dubai. Some processes, such as tenancy registration, may ask for supporting documents.
Does Sharjah have a free zone with a seaport?
Hamriyah Free Zone has its own port and serves industrial, oil and gas, and heavy trading businesses. It is a different proposition from the desk-based media zones.
Are Sharjah free zone licences accepted by UAE banks?
Banks deal with Sharjah free zone companies regularly. Approval depends more on your business profile, source of funds and activity than on which emirate issued the licence.
Can a Sharjah free zone company hire staff from inside the UAE?
Yes, companies can hire people already in the UAE by sponsoring them or, in some cases, using work permits. Visa numbers depend on your package or leased space.
Not sure which Sharjah free zone fits?
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