Sharjah Mainland Licence: Cost, Steps and SEDD Instant Licence

Last updated 25 October 2026

A Sharjah mainland licence lets a company trade in Sharjah and across the UAE. It is issued by SEDD. Sharjah is known for lower entry prices than Dubai, and the cost to start often depends more on the office than the licence.

Steps

Choose the activity and legal form.
Reserve the trade name with SEDD.
Get initial approval and any outside permit.
Sign the memorandum of association, for an LLC.
Rent an office in Sharjah.
Pay the fees and receive the licence.
Apply for the establishment card and visas.

SEDD also offers the Instant Licence. Press reports say it gives a commercial licence in a single working day and waives the memorandum and a signed lease during the first year. Terms can change, so ask SEDD what applies to your activity.

Documents

Passport copies and Emirates ID for residents.
Trade name options and activity list.
Memorandum of association, for an LLC.
Tenancy contract, unless the Instant Licence terms waive it.
Outside approvals for regulated activities.

Cost

Item	Published range
Licence or government fees	AED 12,000 to AED 30,000

Source: published prices of 2 setup agencies, checked October 2026. One lists government fees at AED 15,000 to AED 30,000, the other a trade licence fee at AED 12,000 to AED 25,000. Office rent, visas and approvals come on top. SEDD publishes its own fee tables, and we have not checked them.

Sharjah mainland or Sharjah free zone

A zone such as SPC or SHAMS sells packages with visas built in. Mainland gives access to the whole UAE market. See the Sharjah free zones hub and the cheapest free zone in Sharjah.

Compare with Dubai and Ajman

The Dubai route is on Dubai mainland company setup. Ajman is usually the lowest entry price, see Ajman mainland licence. The cost lines are explained on mainland licence cost.

Sources

Virtuzone, Sharjah mainland licence: https://virtuzone.com/blog/sharjah-mainland-license/
Rizmona, Sharjah mainland licence: https://www.rizmona.com/business-licenses/sharjah-mainland-license/
Gulf News, Sharjah Instant Licence: https://gulfnews.com/business/sharjah-launches-instant-license-to-simplify-business-setup-for-entrepreneurs-1.500180682

Get free quotes from several free zones

Tell us about a Sharjah mainland licence: your activity, the visas and the office you need. We pass it to the free zones that fit or to a licensed setup partner, and reply with options you can compare side by side.

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Questions people ask

Who issues a mainland licence in Sharjah?

SEDD, the Sharjah Economic Development Department. Free zones such as SPC, SHAMS and Hamriyah issue their own licences, which are different.

How much is a Sharjah mainland licence?

Agencies publish AED 12,000 to AED 30,000 for the licence or government fees (published prices of 2 agencies). Rent, visas and approvals are extra. Ask SEDD or a partner for a written figure.

What is the SEDD Instant Licence?

A service reported by the press that gives a commercial licence in one working day and waives the memorandum and signed lease for the first year. Check current terms with SEDD.

Can a foreigner own a Sharjah mainland company?

For most activities yes, with full foreign ownership under the UAE rules. Some activities have conditions that SEDD confirms at approval.

Mainland or Sharjah free zone?

Mainland lets you trade across the UAE. A Sharjah free zone gives a fixed package inside the zone. The Sharjah free zones page compares them.