Sharjah Free Zones Compared
| Best-Fit Use Case | Free Zone | Published Planning Evidence | Renewal / Cost Limit | Confidence | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Media, consultancy and lean services | SHAMS | AED 6,875 official Standard annual package with flexi-desk. | Official fixed renewal for the unchanged Standard package; AED 20,625 is documented three-period arithmetic. | Verified official package | Confirm SHAMS activity fit |
| Publishing, e-commerce and flexible activities | SPC Free Zone | AED 6,875 official Pay-As-You-Go one-year zero-visa licence. | Visa allocation, establishment card and immigration are add-ons; renewal is quote-based. | Verified official Year 1 price | Build an SPC package |
| Technology, research and innovation | SRTIP | Official AED 5,500 zero-visa, AED 13,990 one-visa and AED 17,795 two-visa packages. | Renewal, insurance, optional workspace and regulated approvals require confirmation. | Verified official package prices | Compare SRTIP visa tiers |
| Industrial, manufacturing and warehouse | Hamriyah Free Zone | AED 11,000 basic licence component across consistent public consultant sources. | Facility, approvals, visas, utilities and renewal remain quote-based. | High-confidence public consensus; not an all-in total | Request a Hamriyah project quote |
| Airport-linked logistics and facilities | SAIF Zone | AED 48,000 published 125 sqm warehouse support offer. | This is a facility-led offer, not a general licence price; current availability and renewal must be confirmed. | Indicative official offer | Confirm SAIF facility availability |
Comparison rule: A SHAMS licence-only package, an SPC add-on model, an SRTIP visa tier and a Hamriyah or SAIF facility quote are not identical configurations. We preserve those differences instead of declaring one universal cheapest Sharjah free zone.
SHAMS: Best Fit for Media and Lean Service Businesses
SHAMS is frequently shortlisted by media, creator, consultancy and digital-service founders. The official Standard package lists AED 6,875 per year with flexi-desk and fixed renewal pricing for the lifetime of the business, subject to terms and conditions.
The AED 20,625 three-year figure is arithmetic across three unchanged Standard annual periods. It is labelled as arithmetic, not a separately published multi-year package. SHAMS also advertises a different Media package from AED 5,750; the two configurations should not be blended. Visa processing, medical, Emirates ID, insurance and extra activities can add cost.
SPC Free Zone: Best Fit for Flexible Activities and Add-On Control
SPC is relevant to publishing, consulting, e-commerce and founder-led service businesses. Its official Pay-As-You-Go route publishes AED 6,875 for a one-year zero-visa licence, with up to five activities and a large shareholder allowance.
The model is modular: visa allocation, establishment card, e-channel, investor visa, medical, status change, banking assistance and other services are add-ons. That flexibility is useful only when the applicant compares the complete basket. Renewal is not assumed from Year 1.
SRTIP: Best Fit for Technology and Innovation
SRTIP is the specialist Sharjah shortlist for research, technology, innovation, selected industrial and knowledge-led activity. Its official package page publishes zero-, one- and two-visa tiers, which makes the starting point clearer than a generic quote-only listing.
The named amounts apply to the listed configurations, not every SRTIP activity or facility. Office or flexi-desk requirements can depend on the package, activity and visa allocation. Renewal, insurance, optional workspace and external approvals remain subject to confirmation.
Hamriyah: Best Fit for Industrial and Warehouse Operations
Hamriyah Free Zone is an operating-company choice for industry, manufacturing, physical trading and warehousing. The AED 11,000 public figure is a basic licence component supported by consistent consultant sources; it is not a full facility-led setup cost.
Warehouse or industrial requirements can add lease, utilities, deposits, fit-out, environmental and civil-defence approvals, customs, workforce visas and insurance. A serious comparison should start with the operational facility, not the advertised licence component.
SAIF Zone: Best Fit for Airport-Linked Logistics
SAIF Zone serves trading, aviation-related services, logistics, assembly and facility-led activity around Sharjah International Airport. The official warehouse-support page publishes an AED 48,000 amount for a 125 sqm offer and larger unit tiers.
That amount is a facility offer, not a general SAIF licence-only price. Confirm current availability, licence scope, payment plan, visa terms, utilities, insurance, deposits, fit-out and renewal before comparing it with a flexi-desk package.
Sharjah Cost and Risk Checklist
| Decision Factor | Service / Media Route | Technology Route | Industrial / Logistics Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workspace | Flexi-desk or co-working may be enough | Package desk, office or specialist space | Warehouse, industrial unit or airport-linked facility |
| Visas | Zero-visa base or add-on allocation | Named zero/one/two-visa tiers | Quota linked to facility and authority approval |
| External approvals | Activity-specific | Research, regulated or technical approvals where applicable | Customs, municipality, civil defence and environmental approvals |
| Banking | Contracts, website and clear service model | Technology product, funding and transaction explanation | Suppliers, customers, goods, customs and facility evidence |
| Renewal | Licence plus immigration and workspace | Package plus optional workspace and visas | Licence, lease, utilities, approvals and workforce |
Banking and Mainland Trading
A free-zone licence does not guarantee a business bank account. Banks review the activity, shareholders, source of funds, transaction countries, contracts, website, invoices and office evidence. Higher-risk goods, complex international trade and regulated technology require stronger documentation.
Physical-goods companies should confirm customs registration, importer-of-record arrangements, mainland distribution and product approvals. Use the banking checker, activity checker and cost calculator.
Common Sharjah Selection Mistakes
- Comparing licence-only and facility-led offers as if they include the same items.
- Ignoring the difference between visa allocation and an issued visa.
- Using a media/service package for an activity that needs industrial premises or approvals.
- Assuming renewal equals the advertised Year 1 amount.
- Choosing only by price and leaving banking, customs or facility evidence until later.
Related Decisions
Compare SPC vs SHAMS, RAKEZ vs SHAMS, RAKEZ vs Hamriyah and Hamriyah vs SAIF Zone. Review the Sharjah guide, Cost Index, resource library and methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Sharjah free zone is best for a consultant?
SHAMS and SPC are common shortlists for consulting and services; SRTIP may fit technology or innovation-led consulting. Exact activity wording and package inclusions decide the result.
Which Sharjah free zone is best for manufacturing?
Hamriyah and SAIF Zone are stronger facility-led shortlists. SRTIP may fit selected innovation or industrial activities. Obtain a project quote based on premises and approvals.
Which published price is the lowest?
SRTIP publishes an AED 5,500 zero-visa tier, while SHAMS and SPC publish other named packages. The lowest licence component is not necessarily the lowest usable setup once activity, visas, workspace and renewal are included.
Does a Sharjah licence guarantee banking or visa approval?
No. Banks, immigration and authorities make independent decisions based on the applicant, activity, documents and current rules.
Source and confidence: Official SHAMS, SPC, SRTIP and SAIF package pages plus high-confidence public Hamriyah licence-component consensus, last reviewed July 2026. Facility and all-in totals remain quote-based where the evidence does not publish them. Methodology | Request a correction | Request a verified quote.