Planning to open a company in Sharjah? Great choice! All you have to do is select a business activity, decide and reserve the name and location, apply for the trade license and open a corporate bank account.
Sharjah is the new and upcoming center of interest for all business owners because of its many benefits and lucrative freezones. These freezones in Sharjah make it possible for all your business dreams to come true. With 100% foreign ownership and 0% income tax, Sharjah freezones should be your first choice. And the best part is that each Sharjah freezone comes with a unique advantage, so you can choose accordingly.
If you’re keen on starting a business in a Sharjah freezone, use this guide to learn how to open a company in Sharjah and get started on your entrepreneurial dreams .
How To Open A Company In Sharjah In 4 Simple Steps
Opening a company in Sharjah is simple, easy and quick. Many entrepreneurs find it easier to work with a business setup consultant to streamline the process. This is how the process works:
1. Choose Business Activity & Your Preferred Freezone
Sharjah gives you the liberty to choose the kind of business you want to do. Sharjah freezones cater to businesses from different industries such as technology, e-commerce or the media space.
Here are some of the most popular freezones in Sharjah:
| Freezone | Primary Business Focus |
| Sharjah Media City (Shams) | Creative, media, and digital-related businesses |
| Sharjah Airport International Freezone (SAIF) | Logistics, distribution, and general trading |
| Hamriyah Freezone | Oil, gas, petrochemicals, and heavy industries |
| Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) | Printing, publishing, and general trading |
2. Apply for a Trade License
Once you have finalized the freezone, you need to apply for a trade license. There are mainly 4 types of trade licenses you can get:
- Tourism
- Industrial
- Commercial
- Professional
When selecting the trade license you need, ensure that you choose the best freezone that complements your business activity. For instance, if you are planning on setting up a logistics company, opt for a business setup in SAIF zone.
Each freezone has a dedicated regulatory authority and you need to submit an application to the relevant authority with all the necessary documents such as:
- Application form
- Emirates ID/ Visa
- Business plan
- Trade name certificate
- Memorandum of Association
3. Finalize The Office Space
Since you’re setting up in a freezone, you have the flexibility to choose between a flexi-desk, an office or a warehouse.
The choice can depend on your business and visa requirements, here is quick table to make sense of office space options in Sharjah freezones:
| Office Space Options | Good Choice For | Visa Quota |
| Flexi-Desk / Smart Desk | Freelancers, startups, and remote digital businesses. | 1- 3 Visas |
| Executive Office | Growing teams that need a private, lockable space. | 4- 6+ Visas |
| Warehouse / Land | Logistics or Heavy Industry. | Based on size |
Open a Bank Account
The last step is a corporate bank account opening. You need to have a corporate bank account to show proof of the ‘Paid up Capital’ and build B2B credibility. This step can be slightly tricky as banks will assess your business risk and ask for details such as Emirates ID, proof of address and a comprehensive business plan. This is why it is crucial that you take help from an advisor and open your account without hassle and as quickly as possible.
And that’s all! Once the corporate bank account is up and running, you can officially set up your Sharjah free zone company and get started.
Tips for First-Time Business Owners
If you are a first-time business owner, setting up a company in a Sharjah freezone can be very exciting and overwhelming at the same time. This is why you must stay on top of requirements and other details so that you are prepared. Here are some important things you need to know:
Design A Comprehensive Business Plan
It is crucial to go into the business with a strategy. Your bank will not approve your corporate account if they believe your business is not economically viable. This is why you must have a plan in place that mentions revenue generating strategies. Moreover, the trade licence needs to be renewed every year and you should incorporate the costs in your business plan.
Follow Trade Name Requirements
You cannot just name the business whatever you want to, there are certain requirements you should be mindful of.
- Islamic names are prohibited
- Country names are not allowed without special approval
- Names should include legal structure
- The name should represent the nature of business
Select The Right Bank
Businesses now have the option to choose from Digital and Traditional banks. If you want to set up as quickly as possible, go for digital banks such as Wio Business, Zand and Mashreq NeoBiz, they are the best choice for small businesses. On the other hand, if you want to scale and have a big trade-based set up go for traditional banks such as Emirates NBD and ADCB.
Understand Office Space Requirements
When opening a company in a freezone, you must ensure that the office space is also within the freezone. Other than that, if you want to start small, begin with a flexi desk and you can upgrade later when needed.
Choose The Right Consultant
Setting up a company in Sharjah is easy but with the right consultant on your side the process becomes smoother. They can easily handle any hiccups and resolve issues to ensure everything happens on time and within budget.
Conclusion
Set up your business in a Sharjah freezone and finally watch all your dreams manifest to reality. But all dreams need some help and business setup consultants in Sharjah can be your gate to easy business set up. Helen and Sons offers expert guidance tailored to your needs, we assist with freezone applications, opening a corporate bank account and launching without delays.
FAQs
How much does it cost to open a company in Sharjah freezone?
You can set up your freezone company for as little as AED 12,000 which includes the license, office space, investor visa and the legal fees.
How many visas can I apply for a freezone company?
The visa quota depends on the office space you choose for your business. Flexi-desks offer up to 3 visas, proper office spaces offer up to 6 visas, while warehouse visa quotas are determined by the square footage.
How long will it take to set up my freezone company in Sharjah?
It may take 2-5 weeks to set up your freezone company including the trade license, visa proceedings and corporate bank account opening.
