How much does SPC Free Zone company setup cost in 2026?
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC) sets its fees, and we show them apart from ours. The table lists what you pay to the authorities and what Startex charges. Our service fee is quoted in writing before you pay anything.
| Item | Government fee (paid to) | Startex service fee |
|---|---|---|
| E-Publishing license | From AED 4,999 (SPC Free Zone) | Quoted separately |
| E-commerce license | From AED 5,750 (SPC Free Zone) | From AED 5,750 without a visa |
| Standard license: professional, commercial, general trading | From AED 6,875 (SPC Free Zone) | Quoted separately |
| Visa allocation, per visa | AED 1,600 (SPC Free Zone) | Quoted separately |
| Establishment card, two years | AED 640 (SPC Free Zone) | Quoted separately |
| E-channel registration | AED 2,280 (SPC Free Zone) | Quoted separately |
| Investor visa including Emirates ID | AED 2,530 (SPC Free Zone) | Quoted separately |
| Medical test, per person | AED 365 (SPC Free Zone) | Quoted separately |
| Health insurance, mandatory | From about AED 450 a month (insurer) | Quoted separately |
Ranges at the time of writing, October 2026, checked against SPC Free Zone's published information and current package schedules. Packages change, so we confirm the live figure before we quote.
What does an SPC Free Zone package include?
- Up to five activities on one license, chosen from more than 2,000 options.
- A trade name with the suffix FZC or FZE and 100 percent ownership.
- A dual license option that adds a Sharjah mainland license to the free zone license.
- Fast approval: SPC says a license can be issued in as little as 24 hours on eligible packages.
SPC offers E-Publishing, E-commerce and Standard licenses, plus a dual license that adds a Sharjah mainland license. The Standard license covers professional, commercial and general trading activities. Categories include general trading, professional services, IT, e-commerce, administrative and marketing services.
What are the SPC Free Zone visa and office rules?
SPC licenses can be desk-based, and optional office space is priced per square metre, from storage to furnished offices. SPC says it supports more visas per license than typical desk-only packages, but the exact allowance depends on the package, so confirm it before you pay. A solo founder with one investor visa budgets roughly AED 14,000 to 15,000 in year one on SPC's own estimate.
For the full range of visa costs and quotas by route, see our business setup cost guide and the PRO services we use to file them.
Who does SPC Free Zone suit, and who should look elsewhere?
SPC Free Zone suits:
- E-commerce sellers, publishers and online service businesses.
- Founders who want the lowest published entry price and a quick license.
- Companies that may later want a Sharjah mainland license through the dual option.
SPC Free Zone is a weaker fit for:
- Businesses that need a Dubai address or Dubai customers on the mainland.
- Heavy industry, because SPC is built for desk-based and publishing work.
- Regulated activities that need a separate regulator's approval.
How long does SPC Free Zone setup take?
| Step | Typical time | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| License issued | As little as 24 hours on eligible packages | SPC Free Zone |
| Establishment card | After the license, about week 2 | Immigration |
| Residence visa | As little as 5 working days, typically 5 to 10, after the establishment card | GDRFA and ICP |
| Corporate bank account | About 3 working days after licensing, SPC says | The bank |
| End to end, with a visa | About 2 to 3 weeks | SPC Free Zone |
What are the steps to set up an SPC Free Zone company?
- Choose the activities you will list, so the license matches what you sell.
- Pick the package that fits your visas and office, and confirm what SPC Free Zone includes.
- Send the documents: passport copies, photographs and, for company shareholders, attested papers.
- Sign and pay the SPC Free Zone application and receive the license.
- Apply for the establishment card, visas and bank account.
How does SPC Free Zone compare with other free zones?
| Zone | License cost from | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| SPC Free Zone | AED 4,999 to 6,875 | E-commerce, publishing, consultancy and trading businesses that want low fees and a fast, digital license. |
| IFZA | AED 12,400 to 12,900 | Consultants, traders and online businesses that want a Dubai license at a low entry price. |
| Meydan | AED 12,500 | Startups and solo founders that want a Dubai government free zone with a flexi desk and instant licensing. |
| Shams | AED 5,750 to 6,900 | Media, creative, content and consultancy businesses that want a low-cost Sharjah free zone license. |
Not sure which zone fits? Read free zone vs mainland vs offshore, or compare all seven on the free zone setup cost page.
Fee ranges are for Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC) and were checked in October 2026. Official sources: Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) and GDRFA Dubai. Startex Hub is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with SPC Free Zone.