How much does it cost to set up a business in Sharjah?

A Sharjah free zone trade license starts around AED 5,750/year with SHAMS for a single professional activity. Mainland licenses through Sharjah DED/SEDD typically range from AED 18,000–35,000/year depending on activity and office requirement. Exact cost depends on your chosen zone, activity type and visa count.

How do I register a company in Sharjah?

You choose a jurisdiction (SHAMS, Hamriyah, SAIF Zone, Publishing City, or Sharjah mainland), select your business activity and license type, submit passport and application documents, and receive your trade license - typically within 5 working days for free zone entities. myHQ manages the entire filing process end-to-end.

Can I set up a Sharjah free zone company without visiting the UAE?

Yes. Most SHAMS, Hamriyah and SAIF Zone licenses can be set up fully remotely from India, with documents couriered and signed digitally. A UAE visit is typically only required for Emirates ID biometrics if you're applying for a residence visa, and even that can often be scheduled flexibly.

How do I renew my Sharjah trade license?

Renewal happens annually before your license expiry date and involves paying the renewal fee, confirming your registered address or flexi-desk package, and updating any changed shareholder or visa details. myHQ tracks your renewal date and handles the filing so there's no lapse risk.

Is a Sharjah company legal for Indian residents under FEMA?

Yes, provided the structure and reporting comply with FEMA's Overseas Direct Investment rules and any applicable RBI notification requirements. myHQ coordinates with your CA to ensure your Sharjah entity is set up in a FEMA-compliant way from the start.

Which is cheaper - Sharjah or Dubai business setup?

Sharjah is generally 25-40% cheaper than Dubai for an equivalent free zone license, primarily because Sharjah's SHAMS free zone has lower government fees and no mandatory physical office requirement for most activities.

Can I get an e-commerce license in Sharjah?

Yes - SHAMS Free Zone offers a dedicated e-commerce license that permits online retail and marketplace selling without requiring a warehouse or physical shopfront, making it one of the fastest and lowest-cost e-commerce setups in the UAE.

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Business Setup in Sharjah.
The UAE advantage, at a fraction of the cost.

License to registration Banking icon

Banking

Visas

Starting from AED 5,750*

0%Personal & Corporate Tax*

30-50%Lower Setup Costs vs Dubai

6Active Free Zones

AED 7.74BFDI in 2025

Get a free consultation

Sharjah, Built for Builders Who Watch Costs

Creators, Media & Marketing Businesses

SHAMS zero-visa licence
No physical office required
Fully remote-only registration
Built for small studios

Manufacturers & Industrialists

Hamriyah designed for manufacturing
Direct seaport access
Heavy-industry activities permitted
One of UAE's largest industrial free zones

Traders & Logistics Businesses

Fastest customs clearances
Adjoins Sharjah Airport
Companies from 160 countries
Port access to 3 ports

Researchers & Deep-Tech Founders

Dedicated R&D and innovation free zone
University & lab partnerships
Built for science & tech ventures
University City's talent base

First-Time Founders Starting Small

UAE benefits at half Dubai pricing
Zero-visa entry options
Ideal for pre-revenue businesses
Strong regulatory protections

Dubai-Facing Businesses Watching Costs

Operate across UAE
Same-day commute to Dubai
Lower rent and payroll costs
Free-zone-to-mainland upgrade path

SHAMS zero-visa licence
No physical office required
Fully remote-only registration
Built for small studios

Hamriyah designed for manufacturing
Direct seaport access
Heavy-industry activities permitted
One of UAE's largest industrial free zones

Fastest customs clearances
Adjoins Sharjah Airport
Companies from 160 countries
Port access to 3 ports

Dedicated R&D and innovation free zone
University & lab partnerships
Built for science & tech ventures
University City's talent base

UAE benefits at half Dubai pricing
Zero-visa entry options
Ideal for pre-revenue businesses
Strong regulatory protections

Operate across UAE
Same-day commute to Dubai
Lower rent and payroll costs
Free-zone-to-mainland upgrade path

Free zone vs mainland, and the right zone for your activity - our expertise helps you decide right.

Sharjah Free Zone

Sharjah Mainland

Sharjah has 4 purpose-built free zones - SHAMS, SAIF Zone, Hamriyah, and SRTIP - each for a different business type

Select the right activity, legal structure and licence based on your business model.

Passport Copy

Address proof

3-month bank statement

MEA apostille

*For Indian founders

We prepare and file your documents, including any apostille, attestation or corporate paperwork.

Free Zone vs SEDD Mainland

Find the Sharjah structure that's right for you

Government fees paid online

Trade license issued digitally

Your Sharjah company live & operational

Starting from AED 5,750*

Pick a License Matching Your Needs

Free zone licences issue fastest; mainland takes a week longer due to SEDD approvals

Investor visa via GDRFA

Emirates ID in 5-10 days

UAE bank account within 2-4 weeks of licence issue

Get it in just 5 days

2,000+ happy clients. One trusted partner ⭐

We had a trade name conflict with an existing DET business. myHQ suggested three alternatives the same day and we were approved within 48 hours. The process I thought would take weeks took 3 days.

Priya Singh

Founder of Management Consulting Firm

Set Up Across the UAE

Dubai

Starts at AED 12,900

Best for: Global trading, e-commerce, consulting & service businesses

Learn more

Abu Dhabi

Starts at AED 12,900

Best for: Capital-intensive ventures, financial services & government-adjacent businesses

Learn more

Ras Al-Khaimah

Starts at AED 6,500

Best for: Industrial businesses, manufacturers & value-conscious founders

Learn more

Ajman

Starts at AED 5,750

Best for: Lean businesses, traders & first-time founders

Learn more

Starts at AED 12,900

Best for: Global trading, e-commerce, consulting & service businesses

Learn more

Starts at AED 12,900

Best for: Capital-intensive ventures, financial services & government-adjacent businesses

Learn more

Starts at AED 6,500

Best for: Industrial businesses, manufacturers & value-conscious founders

Learn more

Starts at AED 5,750

Best for: Lean businesses, traders & first-time founders

Learn more

Why choose myHQ by ANAROCK?

2000+: Companies Registered
95%+: Approval Rate
0%: Service Fee
1 Hour: Response Time
India x UAE: Approval Support

Backed by ANAROCK - India's Largest Real Estate Company

Choose the right Sharjah setup with confidence

Best forMedia, marketing, creative and professional-service businessesWhen to AvoidIf you need a physical warehouse or industrial licence

Best forImport-export, trading, aviation-linked businessesWhen to AvoidIf you're a solo creative business with no trading activity

Best forManufacturing, heavy industry, shippingWhen to AvoidIf you don't need warehouse or industrial space

Best forApplied research, deep-tech, and science-led startupsWhen to AvoidIf you're running a standard trading or services business

Make the right decision for your Sharjah setup

Get expert guidance choosing the best option as per your requirements

Commercial LicenseTrading, retail and general commercial activities via SEDD, SAIF Zone or Hamriyah

Best for:Import-export • Distribution • Retail businesses

Industrial LicenseManufacturing, processing and industrial activity via SEDD or Hamriyah Free Zone

Best for:Manufacturers • Processors • Industrial operators

E-Trader License (SEDD)SEDD's home-based licence for online-only trading, no office required

Best for:Solo online sellers • Home-based entrepreneurs

Professional LicenseConsultancies and professional/personal services via SEDD or SHAMS

Best for:Consultants • Agencies • Professional-service providers

Media & Creative License (SHAMS)SHAMS's dedicated licence for media, marketing, publishing and content creation

Best for:Agencies • Studios • Publishers • Content creators • Influencers

Tourism LicenseSEDD licence for travel, hospitality and tourism operators

Best for:Travel agencies • Tour operators • Hospitality businesses

Make the right decision for your Sharjah setup

Get expert guidance choosing the best option as per your requirements

Sharjah Free Zone

Your next chapter awaits in Sharjah

Get a free consultation

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Business Setup in Sharjah.
The UAE advantage, at a fraction of the cost.

Sharjah, Built for Builders Who Watch Costs

Your roadmap to launching your Sharjah business

Why is Sharjah the UAE's fastest-growing investment story?

2,000+ happy clients. One trusted partner ⭐

Set Up Across the UAE

Why choose myHQ by ANAROCK?

Choose the right Sharjah setup with confidence

Your next chapter awaits in Sharjah

Business Setup in Sharjah. The UAE advantage, at a fraction of the cost.

Sharjah, Built for Builders Who Watch Costs

Your roadmap to launching your Sharjah business

1Choose your jurisdiction

2Confirm Activity & Legal Form

3Reserve your trade name

4Submit your application

5Pay fees & receive licence

6Visa, Emirates ID & bank account

Why is Sharjah the UAE's fastest-growing investment story?

2,000+ happy clients. One trusted partner ⭐

Set Up Across the UAE

Why choose myHQ by ANAROCK?

Choose the right Sharjah setup with confidence

Your next chapter awaits in Sharjah

Business Setup in Sharjah.
The UAE advantage, at a fraction of the cost.