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19th Floor, Conrad Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE

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Sharjah Mainland — UAE

Mainland reach, Sharjah overheads

The UAE's industrial and cultural heart, minutes from Dubai, at a fraction of the cost.

A mainland licence from SEDD lets you trade across the UAE and internationally. TFZ manages the complete Sharjah company formation process for you.

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The Benefits

Why Choose Sharjah Mainland?

01 100% foreign ownership for most activities; no local sponsor needed
02 Office, warehouse and labour costs significantly lower than Dubai
03 Unrestricted trading across the UAE and eligibility for government contracts
04 Largest industrial base in the UAE with strong logistics infrastructure (Port Khalid, Hamriyah, Khor Fakkan)
05 Only 20 to 30 minutes from Dubai; many businesses serve Dubai clients from Sharjah
06 Flexible office options including small offices and business centres
07 Corporate tax at 9% only on profits above AED 375,000
Licensing

Types of Sharjah Mainland Licences

Licence TypeActivities CoveredCommon Legal Form
Commercial LicenceTrading, general trading, contracting, retailLLC
Professional LicenceConsultancy, IT, engineering, marketing, education servicesSole Establishment, Civil Company, LLC
Industrial LicenceManufacturing and processingLLC
Tourism LicenceTravel agencies, tour operatorsLLC
Eitimad (Home Business) LicenceSmall home-based businesses for UAE residentsSole Establishment
The Process

Step-by-Step Sharjah Mainland Setup

1

Select activities and legal form with TFZ

2

Reserve the trade name and obtain initial approval from SEDD

3

Draft and notarise the Memorandum of Association

4

Lease an office and register the tenancy contract with Sharjah Municipality

5

Obtain external approvals if required (Municipality, Civil Defence, Ministry of Health, SPEA)

6

Pay fees and receive the SEDD trade licence

7

Register with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce

8

Obtain the Establishment Card and MOHRE labour file

9

Process investor and employee visas

10

Register for corporate tax and VAT and open a bank account

Paperwork

Documents Required

Passport copies of shareholders and managers
UAE visa and Emirates ID copies (if applicable)
Passport photographs
Proposed trade names and activities
Registered tenancy contract
NOC from current sponsor (for UAE residents, if required)
Attested and translated corporate documents for corporate shareholders
External approvals for regulated activities
Duration

Timeline for Formation

StageApproximate Time
Trade name and initial approval1 – 3 working days
MOA notarisation1 – 2 working days
Office lease and tenancy registration3 – 5 working days
External approvals (if required)1 – 3 weeks
Licence issuance1 – 3 working days
Establishment card and labour file3 – 5 working days
Investor visa and Emirates ID2 – 3 weeks
Bank account opening2 – 4 weeks
Total (typical)2–3 wks licence; 5–7 wks operational
After Registration

Compliance Requirements for Sharjah Mainland Companies

Licence renewal

Renew with SEDD with valid tenancy contract and Chamber membership

Annual
Corporate tax

9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000; FTA registration and return

Annual, within 9 months of year end
VAT

5%; register once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000

Quarterly returns
Accounting and audit

Maintain books; audit recommended and required for many activities

Annual
Economic Substance Regulations

Notification and report for relevant activities

Annual
UBO declaration

Declare beneficial owners with SEDD

On registration and on change
Wage Protection System

Salaries paid through WPS

Monthly
Emiratisation

Applies to companies with 50+ employees and selected sectors

Annual
Labour law and health insurance

Contracts, end-of-service, mandatory medical insurance

Ongoing
Civil Defence and Municipality inspections

For warehouses, factories and retail premises

Annual
Visa renewals

Investor and employee visa renewals

Every 2 years
Budgeting

Cost of Sharjah Mainland Company Formation

Indicative costs in UAE Dirhams (AED).

Cost ItemIndicative Amount (AED)Frequency
Trade name reservation and initial approval700 – 1,500One-time
MOA notarisation1,000 – 2,000One-time
SEDD licence fee6,000 – 12,000Annual
Sharjah Chamber membership500 – 1,500Annual
Municipality and market fees1,000 – 3,000Annual
External approvals500 – 8,000 (activity dependent)As required
Office rent (small office / business centre)10,000 – 30,000+Annual
Establishment card600 – 1,500Every 1 – 2 years
Investor visa, medical, Emirates ID4,000 – 6,000Every 2 years
Employee visa (per person)5,000 – 7,000Every 2 years
TFZ professional feesQuoted on requestOne-time
Typical all-in first-year package18,000 – 35,000 (first year)
Full Support

How TFZ Helps

Sharjah gives you mainland reach with lower overheads. TFZ sets up your Sharjah company efficiently and keeps it compliant.

Activity selection and eligibility for 100% ownership
SEDD registration, MOA and external approvals
Affordable office, warehouse and factory space in Sharjah
Visa processing and bank account introductions
Ongoing accounting, VAT, corporate tax and renewal services
Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know About Sharjah Mainland

From costs to sponsorship and visas, here are answers to the questions investors ask most.

Yes. Licence fees are broadly similar, but office rent, warehouses and staff accommodation are significantly lower in Sharjah, which reduces your total cost.

Yes. A mainland licence from any emirate allows you to trade across the whole UAE. Some activities may need a branch in Dubai if you open physical premises there.

No. Most activities allow 100% foreign ownership.

Yes. Visa quotas depend on office size and there is no fixed cap.

The licence is usually issued within 2 to 3 weeks, and the company is fully operational with visas and a bank account within 5 to 7 weeks.

Talk to TFZ Today

Get a free consultation on Sharjah mainland company formation.

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