How to Apply for Free Zone Company in Sharjah 2026
Step-by-step guide to set up a free zone company in Sharjah in 2026, including costs, documents, and approvals from SAIF, SHAMS, and RAKEZ.
Quick answer
Registering a Sharjah free zone company takes 5-10 working days once documents are ready. Choose SAIF, SHAMS or RAKEZ, pay AED 12,900–22,000 in first-year fees, and receive your licence, visa quota and Ejari within two weeks.
Why Sharjah free zones attract expats in 2026
Sharjah offers the lowest set-up costs among the UAE’s mainland and free-zone options while still granting 100 % foreign ownership and zero personal income tax. The three main zones—SAIF Zone, SHAMS and RAKEZ—sit less than 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport, giving you easy access to both emirates.
Sharjah free zones at a glance
- SAIF Zone – industrial and trading licences, 10,000+ companies, strong logistics links.
- SHAMS – media, IT and services, lowest entry package from AED 12,900.
- RAKEZ – manufacturing, trading and consultancy, largest land plots.
Step-by-step: how to apply for a free zone company in Sharjah
1. Decide on business activity and legal structure
Pick a Sharjah free-zone activity from the official list (consulting, trading, media production, light manufacturing, etc.). Most expats start with a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Freelance Permit; both allow 100 % ownership.
2. Reserve your trade name
Use the zone’s online portal to check name availability. The name must contain an English or Arabic word that describes your activity plus “LLC-FZ” or “SPC-FZ”. Approval is instant in most cases and costs AED 200–500.
3. Choose your package and pay the first instalment
SHAMS Flexi Desk starts at AED 12,900, SAIF Flexi at AED 15,500, and RAKEZ at AED 18,000. All packages include licence, one visa quota, Ejari tenancy contract and medical typing.
4. Submit documents online
Scan and upload: passport copies, passport photos, proof of address, business plan (one page), and CV. No notarisation is required for standard activities.
5. Receive preliminary approval & sign lease
Within 24–48 hours the zone issues a preliminary approval letter. You then sign the Ejari (tenancy contract) digitally. This step unlocks the final licence.
6. Complete medical test and Emirates ID
Book a medical fitness test at any MOHRE-approved centre in Sharjah (AED 300). Once cleared, apply for your Emirates ID via GDRFA. Processing takes 5–7 days.
7. Collect licence and open corporate bank account
Download your digital licence from the portal. Take it, plus your passport and Ejari, to any UAE bank branch to open a corporate account. Most free-zone companies open accounts within one week.
Documents checklist for 2026 applications
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Passport-size photo with white background
- Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement)
- Business plan (max one page)
- CV or resume
- No-objection certificate if you already hold a UAE visa
Common mistakes expats make
- Choosing an activity that needs extra approvals (pharma, alcohol, tobacco) without budgeting extra time.
- Underestimating visa costs—each additional quota costs AED 3,000–4,500.
- Forgetting to renew Ejari on time; the licence can be suspended by the free zone.
- Opening a personal account instead of a corporate one, which later blocks supplier payments.
Cost comparison 2026
| Zone | First-year package | Extra visa | Warehouse option |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHAMS | AED 12,900 | AED 3,500 | Not available |
| SAIF | AED 15,500 | AED 3,900 | AED 90/sqft/year |
| RAKEZ | AED 18,000 | AED 4,200 | AED 45/sqft/year |
Tips to speed up approval
- Apply during non-peak months (June–August) when zones process files in 3–4 days.
- Use the zone’s in-house PRO service (AED 1,500) if you dislike paperwork.
- Pay the full package upfront—some zones discount 5 % for annual payment.
- Keep a digital folder of all scans; the portals time-out after 20 minutes of inactivity.
After you receive your licence
Within 30 days you must: open a corporate bank account, register for corporate tax (even at 0 % rate) via the Federal Tax Authority portal, and obtain a VAT number if turnover is expected above AED 375,000. Renew your licence 30 days before expiry via the same portal.
Key takeaway
Applying for a free zone company in Sharjah in 2026 is straightforward, low-cost and fully digital. Pick the right zone for your activity, prepare clean scans, and budget AED 15,000–20,000 for the first year. Once the licence is in hand you can legally trade, hire staff and sponsor visas anywhere in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
Which Sharjah free zone is cheapest for consultants?▾
SHAMS Flexi Desk at AED 12,900 is currently the lowest entry package for consulting and media activities.
Can I apply for a free zone licence while on a tourist visa?▾
Yes. You can start the application online; you only need to be in the UAE for medical test and Emirates ID stamping.
How many visas do I receive with the basic package?▾
All three zones include one investor visa quota. Additional visas cost AED 3,500–4,200 each.
Is a physical office mandatory in Sharjah free zones?▾
No. Flexi-desk packages are fully allowed and sufficient for service-based businesses.
Do I need to pay corporate tax in a Sharjah free zone?▾
Qualifying income is taxed at 9 % above AED 375,000; most new freelancers stay below the threshold and pay zero.
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