E-Commerce, Publishing or Media Licence
SPC currently advertises a starting licence route for eligible e-commerce, publishing or media activities.
Currently advertised from
AED 5,750
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone
SPC Free Zone Company Formation in Sharjah Publishing City
Set up your UAE company in SPC Free Zone with support choosing the right activities, licence package, legal structure, visas and post-incorporation requirements.
- 100% foreign ownership available
- 2,000+ business activities
- Fully digital setup process
- Publishing and wider commercial activities
100% ownership
Foreign ownership is available
2,000+ activities
Across numerous business categories
Digital setup
Registration and renewals online
Flexible structures
FZE-LLC, FZC-LLC and branches
What Is Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, commonly known as SPC Free Zone, is a Sharjah-based free zone established in 2017 and operating as a subsidiary of Sharjah Book Authority.
It was developed with a strong focus on publishing, printing and the creative economy, but its current licensing catalogue extends across thousands of approved commercial, professional and other business activities.
That makes SPC relevant not only to publishers, authors and media companies, but also to consultants, e-commerce businesses, traders, technology companies and entrepreneurs looking for a flexible Sharjah free-zone structure.
Before choosing SPC, the licence should still be compared against your exact activities, intended customers, shareholder structure, visa requirements and operating model.
If Dubai is also under consideration, compare SPC with our Dubai free zone company formation hub before choosing a jurisdiction.
SPC Free Zone licence cost
How Much Does SPC Free Zone Company Formation Cost?
SPC publishes different packages for different activities and setup models. The figures below are current advertised starting prices, not guaranteed all-inclusive First Elite Global quotations.
1-Year Licence With 0 Visas
SPC's Pay-As-You-Go package currently includes a one-year licence with zero visas, with up to five approved activities available under the package.
Current published price
AED 6,875
Activity selection
What Businesses Can Use SPC Free Zone?
SPC now lists more than 2,000 business activities across numerous sectors. The activity wording on the licence should match what the company will genuinely do.
- Publishing and book-related businesses
- Media and content companies
- E-commerce businesses
- Consultancies and professional services
- Technology and digital businesses
- Trading companies
- Creative and design businesses
- Selected manufacturing and commercial activities
SPC's Pay-As-You-Go package currently allows selection of up to five business activities from its wider activity catalogue.
Choose the legal form
SPC Free Zone Company Structures
SPC provides several legal structures depending on the number and type of shareholders and whether you are incorporating a new entity or extending an existing business.
FZE – LLC
A single-shareholder free-zone company. The shareholder can be an individual or a legal entity.
FZC – LLC
A free-zone company with two or more shareholders. Shareholders can include individuals, companies or a combination of both.
Branch
A local or foreign company can establish an SPC branch operating under its parent company's name without creating a separate legal identity.
SPC's original specialism
A Dedicated Publishing Ecosystem
SPC's publishing background remains one of its clearest points of difference from other Sharjah free zones.
Publishing Activities
SPC supports publishers, authors, editors and businesses working across print, digital publishing and related creative fields.
Print-on-Demand Ecosystem
The wider publishing ecosystem includes print-on-demand infrastructure designed to support publishers with production and distribution.
Digital Publishing
SPC also supports e-publishing and online content activities, making the zone relevant to newer digital publishing models.
From activity to licence
How SPC Company Formation Works
The authority provides a digital setup route, but the activity, structure, visa position and supporting documents should be settled before the application is submitted.
Define the business model
Confirm what the company will sell or provide, where customers are based, who will own the company and whether visas or premises are required.
Select the business activities
Match the commercial model to the approved SPC activity list and identify any activities that require additional approval.
Choose the legal structure
Select FZE-LLC, FZC-LLC or a branch according to the shareholder arrangement and existing corporate structure.
Prepare the application
Compile shareholder identification, business information and corporate documentation where a company or branch is involved.
Complete registration and licensing
Submit the application through the applicable SPC process and complete the licensing requirements once approved.
Handle the post-licence stages
Continue into establishment, immigration, residence visas, Emirates ID, corporate banking and applicable tax or compliance registrations.
Prepare your application
Documents Required for SPC Free Zone Setup
SPC's requirements differ depending on whether the shareholders are individuals, companies or an existing business establishing a branch.
For individual shareholders
- Passport copy
- UAE visa copy if resident
- Emirates ID if resident or UAE national
- Proposed company name
- Selected business activities
- Office or facility information where relevant
For corporate shareholders or branches
- Shareholding details
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Parent-company documents
- Authorised representative information
- Additional documentation where requested
UAE Corporate Tax
SPC Free Zone Does Not Automatically Mean 0% Corporate Tax
Free-zone entities fall within the UAE Corporate Tax system. A company must satisfy the conditions for treatment as a Qualifying Free Zone Person before the special free-zone Corporate Tax regime can apply.
0%
may apply to Qualifying Income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person that satisfies the relevant requirements.
9%
applies to taxable income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person that does not meet the definition of Qualifying Income.
The company's activities, customers and income streams should therefore be considered when deciding on the jurisdiction and tax structure.
Common questions
SPC Free Zone Company Formation FAQs
How much does an SPC Free Zone licence cost?
SPC currently advertises selected e-commerce, publishing and media licences from AED 5,750. Its Pay-As-You-Go one-year licence with zero visas is currently listed at AED 6,875. The final amount depends on your package, activities, visas, shareholders, facilities and additional requirements.
What is Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone?
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone is a Sharjah-based free zone and subsidiary of Sharjah Book Authority. It was established with a particular focus on publishing and the creative economy but now licenses businesses across a much wider activity catalogue.
Can a foreign investor own 100% of an SPC company?
Yes. SPC currently provides 100% foreign ownership for its free-zone company structures, subject to the selected licence and company requirements.
How many activities can I put on an SPC licence?
SPC provides more than 2,000 activity options. Its current Pay-As-You-Go package allows selection of up to five business activities. Other packages can have their own conditions, so the exact combination should be checked before application.
What company structures does SPC offer?
SPC currently offers FZE-LLC structures for a single shareholder, FZC-LLC structures for two or more shareholders, and branches of existing local or foreign companies.
Can a company be incorporated online?
SPC provides a digital setup process and also handles company amendments and licence renewals through its online systems. Later residence, biometric or banking stages can still require additional procedures depending on the applicant.
Does SPC require paid-up share capital?
SPC currently states that there is no paid-up share-capital requirement for its standard business setup route. The selected structure and any activity-specific requirements should still be confirmed before incorporation.
Do SPC Free Zone companies pay Corporate Tax?
Free-zone status does not automatically make all income tax free. A Qualifying Free Zone Person may benefit from a 0% Corporate Tax rate on Qualifying Income, while taxable income that does not qualify can be subject to the applicable 9% rate.
Is SPC better than SHAMS?
Neither is universally better. SPC has a particularly strong publishing ecosystem and a very broad activity catalogue, while SHAMS can be attractive to media, consulting, digital and service businesses. The activities, visas, facilities and operating model should determine the choice.
Can First Elite Global help after the licence is issued?
First Elite Global can support relevant post-formation stages such as visa coordination and corporate-bank-account preparation. Banking approval remains subject to the bank's own KYC, compliance and commercial assessment.
Plan the complete setup
Find Out Whether SPC Free Zone Fits Your Business
Tell us your proposed activity, shareholders, visa requirements and target market. First Elite Global can help you compare the suitable SPC structure and formation route.
