Publishing roots. Broader business possibilities.
ITQAN helps you assess activities, licence structure, shareholders, workspace, visas and post-licensing obligations before an SPC application is submitted.
SPC Free Zone was established around Sharjah’s publishing and knowledge economy. That remains relevant for publishers, authors, editors, printing businesses and electronic-content ventures.
Its current official activity directory is wider. It lists publishing and electronic-publishing categories alongside standard activities covering consultancy, technology, marketing, e-commerce, trade and other sectors. Suitability still depends on the exact activity, any external regulator and the company’s real operating model.
SPC can be practical for start-ups and international founders whose work fits its approved activities and available facilities.
Publishers, authors, editors, printing-related businesses and digital-content operators.
Marketing, media, design, technology and approved online-service businesses.
Online sellers and selected commercial businesses with clearly defined goods and markets.
Consultants and service providers whose proposed activities appear on SPC’s current list.
Businesses requiring major manufacturing space, industrial land, specialised logistics infrastructure or port-led operations should compare SPC with a jurisdiction designed around those physical requirements.
SPC’s current directory separates publishing, electronic-publishing and standard activities. The correct choice should describe how the company will earn revenue, deliver services, sell goods and issue invoices.
Multiple activities may be proposed, but compatibility is not automatic. Activities from different categories, regulated work and publishing or media activities may require SPC review and approval from bodies such as the UAE Media Council or another listed regulator.
Choose activities that reflect the actual operating model.
Confirm whether proposed activities can sit under one licence.
Allow for sector or third-party approval before launch.
Consider invoicing, banking, customs, AML and tax implications.
SPC supports foreign ownership and applications involving individual or corporate shareholders, subject to due diligence and beneficial-ownership disclosure. A registered address is required, and SPC advertises co-working, furnished or unfurnished offices, shell-and-core units, retail space and warehouses.
Licence issuance, immigration establishment registration and residence visas are separate stages. Visa availability depends on the chosen arrangement, facility, staffing need and immigration approval. Investor, employee and dependant applications each follow their own requirements.
SPC determines the final checklist. Corporate shareholder documents may require additional verification.
Define the business, customers and target market.
Match activities with the appropriate licence route.
Select shareholders, workspace and visa needs.
Compile KYC, ownership and approval documents.
Send the application for SPC review and decision.
Coordinate immigration, banking, tax and accounting steps.
Total cost may change with the licence and activity category, visa eligibility, establishment card, workspace, shareholder structure, immigration services, external approvals and renewal term.
ITQAN provides a written breakdown separating authority, immigration, workspace and professional-service charges after your requirements are confirmed. Current official promotions should be rechecked before payment.
ITQAN is independent from SPC Free Zone. Our role is to translate your operating plan into a clear setup scope, coordinate documents and explain dependencies without promising an authority, immigration or banking outcome.
Understand the business and its commercial goals.
Identify activities, facilities, visas and approvals.
Present a defined route and itemised scope.
Coordinate setup, renewal and ongoing compliance work.
Confirm the current rule for your exact activity and applicant profile before making a commitment.
No. SPC retains a strong publishing identity, but its current activity directory also includes electronic publishing, professional, digital, e-commerce, commercial and other standard activities. The exact activity must be checked before applying.
SPC’s application tools allow multiple activities to be selected, but compatibility, category, third-party approvals and final acceptance remain subject to authority review. Unlimited or unrelated combinations should not be assumed.
Foreign ownership is available. Non-resident founders still need to complete identity, ownership and due-diligence checks; UAE residence is a separate immigration process.
SPC issues company documents with a lease or co-working agreement and also advertises co-working, office, shell-and-core, retail and warehouse facilities. The suitable option depends on the activity and operating needs.
Visa services are available, but licence issuance does not itself guarantee a visa. Allocation and approval depend on the selected setup, establishment registration, facility, applicant and current immigration rules.
A company may serve mainland customers where its activity and transaction structure permit. Physical trading, regulated work or direct mainland operations may require customs, distribution, branch, permit or other arrangements.
No. Banks independently assess each application. Free-zone Corporate Tax treatment is also conditional: 0% applies only to qualifying income where all Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions are met.
Share your activities, shareholders, visa needs and preferred facility. We will review the setup route and prepare a written scope.
