Business Setup and Structuring in Sharjah
Setting up in Sharjah means choosing between onshore and the emirate's free zones. Onshore companies are licensed by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD). The free zones each target a sector: Hamriyah Free Zone and SAIF Zone for industry, manufacturing and trade; Shams (Sharjah Media City) for media and creative; and SRTIP for technology and research. Sharjah has no common-law free zone, so all activity sits within onshore UAE law.
The right choice depends on your activity, clients and cost profile, and on whether you need to trade in the local market or mainly export. We advise on jurisdiction and licensing, corporate structure and shareholder arrangements, and handle incorporation end to end, from approvals to visas.
What we do
- Onshore licensing with SEDD
- Free-zone setup (Hamriyah, SAIF Zone, Shams, SRTIP)
- Jurisdiction selection
- Corporate structuring
- Foreign-ownership approvals
- Industrial and trade licensing
Frequently asked
Onshore or a Sharjah free zone?
Onshore suits businesses trading in the local market; free zones suit export, industry, media or tech with full foreign ownership. We match the structure to your plan.
Which Sharjah free zone is right for me?
Hamriyah and SAIF Zone suit industry and trade; Shams suits media; SRTIP suits tech and research. It depends on your activity and cost profile.
Can I own 100%?
In the free zones, yes. Onshore, most activities now allow full foreign ownership. We confirm for your activity.
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