Prices are each free zone's published starting package as shown on our free zone pages, reviewed in October 2026. SAIF Zone and Hamriyah Free Zone quote by facility, so we do not list a price for them. Confirm current fees and renewal costs before you pay.
The short answer
- Cheapest Sharjah free zone: Sharjah Publishing City (SPC), from AED 4,999 with no visa and AED 6,875 plus government fees with one visa, for publishing and digital content activities.
- Best all-rounder for small businesses and freelancers: SHAMS (Sharjah Media City), from AED 5,750 with no visa and AED 13,420 with one visa, with 2,000+ activities.
- Best for tech and R&D: Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), from AED 5,500 with no visa and AED 13,990 with one visa.
- Best for trading, warehousing and light industry: SAIF Zone, next to Sharjah International Airport.
- Best for heavy industry, oil and gas and marine: Hamriyah Free Zone, with its own port.
Sharjah free zones at a glance
SHAMS: Sharjah Media City
- Starting price: AED 5,750 (zero-visa package, 1 activity included); AED 13,420 with one visa.
- Licence in 3 to 5 working days; up to 6 visas.
- 2,000+ activities; popular with media, content creators, e-commerce, consultants and freelancers.
- SHAMS does not require an audit to renew the licence, but companies claiming the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person rate must keep audited financial statements under federal rules.
SPC: Sharjah Publishing City
- Starting price: AED 4,999 (e-publishing licence with flexi-desk, government fees extra); AED 6,875 plus government fees with one visa.
- Licence from 24 hours; up to 5 activities per licence.
- Best for publishing, printing, digital content, translation and education businesses. No paid-up capital required, and a dual licence with Sharjah mainland is available.
SRTIP: Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park
- Starting price: AED 5,500 (zero-visa package, 5 activities); AED 13,990 with one visa.
- Licence in 7 to 10 working days; up to 6 visas.
- Best for technology, R&D, biotech, clean energy and software companies, with an accelerator programme.
SAIF Zone: Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
- Located at Sharjah International Airport.
- Offers offices, purpose-built warehouses, land plots from 2,500 square metres and a specialised jewellery manufacturing park.
- Best for trading, logistics, light manufacturing and businesses that need storage near an airport. Prices are quoted by facility.
Hamriyah Free Zone
- Established in 1995 by Emiri Decree.
- Organised into six sectors: oil and gas, food, industrial manufacturing, maritime, global logistics and an accelerator hub.
- Offers executive offices at the Hamriyah Business Centre, pre-built warehouses and industrial land, with its own port.
- Best for heavy industry, energy, marine and large-scale logistics. Prices are quoted by facility.
Sharjah or Dubai free zone?
- Cost: Sharjah's entry packages start from about AED 5,000 to AED 6,000, against AED 12,000 to AED 13,000 for the cheapest Dubai packages. See the full UAE price ranking.
- Where you live: a residence visa sponsored by a Sharjah free zone company is a UAE residence visa, so many owners live in Dubai while the company is licensed in Sharjah.
- Perception: some clients and banks prefer a Dubai address. If that matters for your business, compare IFZA vs SHAMS.
- Activities: SHAMS covers the widest range for service businesses; SAIF and Hamriyah suit physical goods and industry.
How to set up in a Sharjah free zone
- Choose your activities and confirm they are allowed in the zone.
- Pick a package based on how many visas you need.
- Reserve a trade name and submit passport copies and the application.
- Pay the fees and receive your licence.
- Apply for your establishment card, residence visa and Emirates ID, then open a bank account.
For a step-by-step SHAMS walkthrough, see our SHAMS trade licence guide.
How CorpWise helps
We compare Sharjah and Dubai zones for your activity and visa needs, quote year-one and renewal costs up front, and handle the licence, visa, Emirates ID and bank account. CorpWise free zone setup starts from AED 12,500. Talk to an advisor.
