SPC Free Zone Setup
Set up your company in SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City) — affordable free zone for publishing, e-commerce, IT, and trading with dual-license capability. 100% foreign ownership, packages from AED 5,750, 24-hour setup.
Description
SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City) is one of the UAE's newest and most dynamic free zones, originally established with the support of the Sharjah Book Authority for publishing and creative industries, now supporting over 1,500 business activities including e-commerce, IT, general trading, consultancy, and media. Located near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, just 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport, SPC combines affordable pricing with a convenient location bridging Sharjah and Dubai.
SPC's standout feature is its dual-license capability — it is authorised to issue both a free zone and a mainland (Sharjah LLC) license, allowing a single company to operate in both the free zone and the mainland market. SPC offers 100% foreign ownership, packages from approximately AED 5,750, licenses issued within 24 hours, up to 20 visas on select packages, government subsidies of up to 70% on water and electricity, and flexible 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10-year license options. It is highly popular with startups, freelancers, e-commerce sellers, and trading businesses.
Octavon Global Advisory handles complete SPC setup — package and license type selection (including dual license guidance), activity matching, trade name reservation, KYC submission, license issuance, Establishment Card, visa processing, import/export code registration, and corporate bank account introduction. Standard SPC setup completes in 1 to 5 working days from KYC submission, among the fastest in the UAE.
What's Included
- SPC Free Zone Trade License
- 100% Foreign Ownership
- Dual License Capability (Free Zone + Mainland)
- Over 1,500 Business Activities
- Packages from AED 5,750
- License Issued Within 24 Hours
- Up to 20 Visas on Select Packages
- Up to 70% Utility Subsidies
- Multi-Year License Options (1/2/3/5/10 years)
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Share Certificate
- Flexi-Desk / Office / Warehouse Options
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor Visa (optional, package-dependent)
- Import/Export Code Registration
- Corporate Bank Account Introduction
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate, up to 7 for FZC)
- Trade name following SPC naming rules
- Activity from SPC-approved list (1,500+ activities)
- Flexi-desk minimum, upgrade for more visa capacity
- NOC from current sponsor if applicant is on UAE residence visa
- Annual or multi-year license renewal
Required Documents
- Passport Copy (6+ months validity, all shareholders)
- UAE Visa Copy and Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- Passport-sized Photograph (if visa)
- Proof of Address (utility bill, last 3 months)
- Contact Details
- CV or Business Profile
- List of Proposed Activities
- NOC from Current Sponsor (if applicable)
- For corporate shareholder: parent company documents
Our Process
- Consultation on SPC package, license type, and dual license option
- Reserve trade name
- Select activities (up to 5 combinable)
- Submit KYC documents online
- SPC review and approval
- Pay license and visa package fees
- Receive SPC Trade License (within 24 hours)
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor visa processing (if applicable)
- Medical fitness and Emirates ID
- Import/export code registration (if trading)
- Corporate bank account opening
Pricing
- Basic Fee: AED 6,000
- Service Fee: AED 2,500
- VAT (5%): AED 425
- Total: AED 8,925
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about SPC Free Zone?
SPC's standout feature is dual-license capability — it can issue both a free zone and a mainland (Sharjah LLC) license, letting one company operate in both markets. It also offers very affordable packages (from AED 5,750), 24-hour licensing, up to 20 visas, utility subsidies, and a convenient location 15 minutes from Dubai airport.
How much does SPC Free Zone setup cost?
SPC packages start from approximately AED 5,750 for a basic license, rising based on visa count and facility. A 1-year license with a 2-year visa and lease is often available around AED 15,000. Service fees are additional. SPC is among the most competitively priced free zones in the UAE.
What is the SPC dual license?
The dual license lets your SPC free zone company also hold a Sharjah mainland LLC license, so you can operate in both the free zone and the mainland market under one structure — at a significantly reduced cost compared to setting up two separate companies. It is ideal for e-commerce and trading businesses that want mainland reach.
How fast can SPC issue my license?
SPC can issue licenses within 24 hours of approved documentation, making it one of the fastest free zones in the UAE. Complete setup including visa and bank account takes 1 to 5 working days for the core steps.
What activities are available at SPC?
SPC supports over 1,500 activities including publishing, printing, e-commerce, general trading, IT, consultancy, media, HR and recruitment, and professional services. You can combine up to 5 activities under one license.
How many visas can I get with SPC?
SPC offers flexibility on visa numbers — select packages support up to 20 visas. Lower-cost packages include fewer visas or zero-visa options. Visa allocation depends on the package and facility you choose.
Can I set up at SPC remotely?
Yes. The licensing stage is handled online with documents submitted and signed digitally, and the license issued within 24 hours. A short UAE visit is required only for residence visa processing and bank account opening.