Sharjah Mainland Company Formation
Sharjah offers mainland access to the whole UAE market with lower office and warehouse costs than Dubai, and a large industrial and trading base.
- SEDDAuthority
- 100% for most activitiesOwnership
- AED 14,999Packages from
- Industry and tradingStrength
About Sharjah Mainland
Sharjah mainland companies are licensed by the Sharjah Economic Development Department. Rents for offices, shops and warehouses are generally lower than in Dubai, which matters for trading, manufacturing and service businesses with larger space needs.
Sharjah’s industrial areas and access to ports make it practical for distribution and light manufacturing, while still being minutes from Dubai.
Authority
Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD)
Best suited to
Trading and distribution; Light industry and workshops; Service businesses wanting lower overheads.
Benefits of Sharjah Mainland
Lower premises cost
Offices and warehouses cost less than Dubai.
UAE wide trading
No customer restrictions.
Industrial areas
Space for workshops and storage.
Ports nearby
Khalid and Hamriyah ports.
Ownership
100% for most activities.
Visas
Based on premises size.
Licence types available
Commercial licence
Trading activities.
Professional licence
Services and consultancy.
Industrial licence
Manufacturing.
Tourism licence
Hospitality and travel.
Agricultural licence
Agricultural activities.
Craftsmanship licence
Artisan and craft activities.
Legal forms, visas and office
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legal forms | Limited Liability Company, Sole Establishment, Civil Company, Branch |
| Visa allocation | Visa quota follows office or warehouse size. |
| Office | Registered tenancy required. |
How setup works
Activity and legal form
Choose activities and legal form with the economic department.
Trade name and initial approval
Reserve the name and obtain initial approval.
Office and Ejari
Lease an office or flexi desk and register the tenancy.
Memorandum and licence
Sign the memorandum of association and pay licence fees.
Visas and registrations
Establishment card, visas, corporate tax and VAT.
Documents required
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- Passport photographs and Emirates ID or visa copy for residents
- Proposed trade names (three options)
- Selected business activities
- Tenancy contract and Ejari for the office (after initial approval)
- No objection letter from a current sponsor, where applicable
- For corporate shareholders: attested incorporation documents and board resolution
Sharjah Mainland packages
Commercial Starter, 0 visa
AED 14,999 indicative
- Business setup consultation
- Trade name reservation and initial approval
- MOA drafting and attestation
- Commercial trade licence issuance
- Up to 3 business activities on one licence
- Government fee guidance included
Professional Growth, 1 visa
AED 18,999 indicative
- Everything in the Starter package
- Professional licence issuance
- 1 investor/employee visa (Emirates ID and medical fees included)
- Local service agent coordination, where required
- Dedicated relationship manager
- 1 free tax/VAT consultation session
Industrial Premium, 2 visas
AED 24,999 indicative
- Everything in the Growth package
- Industrial licence issuance
- Facility and site approval coordination
- 2 investor/employee visas (Emirates ID and medical fees included)
- Regulatory and environmental approval support
- Priority processing with dedicated relationship manager
Indicative Balance Brite package prices. Government fees change during the year, so we confirm everything in a written quote before you pay. Prices exclude 5% VAT where it applies.
Tax after setup
Mainland companies pay corporate tax at 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above. Small Business Relief is available for revenue up to AED 3 million for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. VAT registration is mandatory once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 in 12 months. Corporate tax registration and VAT registration can be added to any package.
Sharjah Mainland questions
Why choose Sharjah over Dubai?
Lower rents and good industrial space, while still trading across the UAE.
Can I live in Dubai with a Sharjah company?
Yes, residents can live in any emirate.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a mainland company?
Yes, for most commercial and industrial activities since the Commercial Companies Law was amended in 2021. A small list of strategic activities still needs Emirati participation.
Do I need a physical office?
Mainland licences need a registered office with Ejari. A business centre or flexi desk is accepted for many activities and sets your visa quota.
Speak to our setup manager about Sharjah Mainland
Hassam Abbasi manages company setup at Balance Brite. Share your activity, the visas you need and where your customers are, and he will recommend a jurisdiction and give you a written quote.