HIGHLIGHTS
- SPC starts from AED 5,760 (E-commerce) or AED 6,885 (Standard). Bundled coworking, dual license, and predictable visa pricing make it one of the UAE's lowest-cost entry points.
- The AED 5,760 package is a zero-visa company. A practical operating setup usually starts from AED 13,875 with one visa and a banking plan.
- A corporate bank account — not the license — makes the company operational. We price the bankable setup, not the cheapest sticker.
How much does an SPC Free Zone license cost in 2026?
SPC offers two license families in 2026. The E-commerce license starts at AED 5,760, while the Standard license starts at AED 6,885. Both include the mandatory coworking lease. Companies can choose between 0 and 7 visas, with each additional visa increasing first-year setup costs according to the official pricing schedule.
| Visa quota | E-commerce (AED) | Standard (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 5,760 | 6,885 |
| 1 | 13,875 | 15,000 |
| 2 | 20,670 | 21,795 |
| 3 | 27,465 | 28,590 |
| 4 | 34,260 | 35,385 |
| 5 | 41,055 | 42,180 |
| 6 | 47,850 | 48,975 |
| 7 | 54,645 | 55,770 |
Important: The published AED 5,760 entry price applies to a zero-visa company. For most operating businesses, it should be viewed as an entry point rather than the cost of a complete business setup.
Across the SPC company structures we advise on, the most common pricing mistake is comparing headline license prices rather than complete operating setups. Looking beyond the entry package usually leads to a more accurate budgeting decision from the outset.
For a broader overview of UAE company formation and cost planning, see our UAE free zone company formation guide.
Need a complete breakdown instead of just the headline package? We'll calculate the license, immigration costs, renewals, and banking implications before you decide.
Get your SPC cost breakdownIs SPC really the cheapest UAE free zone — and what's the catch?
Yes — SPC is among the UAE's lowest-cost free zones based on its published entry price. The catch is that the cheapest package is a zero-visa company, while most operating businesses require at least one residence visa and a workable banking strategy.
The advertised AED 5,760 E-commerce package is a genuine first-year license price. However, it represents a company without a UAE residence visa. For founders planning to invoice clients, receive international payments, and operate through a UAE corporate bank account, that is rarely a practical long-term structure.
In practice, the first realistic operating setup is usually an E-commerce license with one visa, bringing the first-year company setup cost to AED 13,875 before business-specific operating expenses.
Based on the incorporation strategies we prepare, founders who compare complete operating structures rather than headline license prices make more accurate jurisdiction decisions and are less likely to restructure the business later.
For a detailed breakdown of what makes up the AED 13,875 setup cost, see the next section.
What government charges sit on top of the license?
The published SPC license price is only one part of the first-year setup cost. Once a residence visa is added, government immigration charges apply separately, increasing the total investment required to establish a working company.
The highest additional cost is linked to the residence visa rather than the license itself. Besides the visa allocation included in the package, founders should budget for immigration processing, Emirates ID issuance and other mandatory government procedures.
| Cost component | Typical amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Additional visa allocation | 1,600 |
| Residence visa, Emirates ID & processing | 2,530 |
| Change of Status (inside UAE only) | 700 |
| Medical fitness test | 365 |
| Establishment Card* | 640 |
| E-channel registration* | 2,280 |
| R&K fees* | 10 |
* Company-level charges paid once during incorporation.
Worked example
| Example | Total (AED) |
|---|---|
| E-commerce license (0 visas) | 5,760 |
| Government charges for one visa | +8,115 |
| First-year setup (1 visa) | 13,875 |
From the company budgets we prepare, founders who separate license costs from government charges usually build more accurate first-year budgets and avoid treating the published license price as the cost of a complete operating business.
What activities & activity groups does SPC allow?
SPC offers a broad catalogue of licensed business activities across consulting, digital services, e-commerce, media, publishing, education and trading. Most businesses can be incorporated without additional third-party approvals, although regulated sectors remain subject to their own licensing requirements.
| SPC works well for... | Keep in mind... |
|---|---|
| Consulting and professional services | Regulated activities may require external approvals. |
| E-commerce and online businesses | Combining many unrelated activities can make corporate banking more complex. |
| Media, publishing and creative businesses | Activity selection should reflect how the business will actually operate. |
| Trading and mixed commercial models | Highly complex structures may be better suited to another jurisdiction. |
Unlike many UAE free zones, SPC allows related professional services, e-commerce and certain trading activities to be combined within the same company. Eligible businesses may also obtain a dual license, enabling approved Sharjah mainland operations without relocating to a mainland entity.
From the activity structures we've reviewed, choosing only the activities your business genuinely intends to perform usually results in a cleaner licensing profile and a smoother banking process later.
For a complete list of available activities, see the SPC Business Activities List or our UAE business licenses guide before selecting your company structure.
How many visas can an SPC company get?
SPC companies can be incorporated with 0 to 7 visas under the standard pricing schedule. Each additional visa increases first-year setup costs by AED 5,195, while annual license renewal increases by a flat AED 1,600 per visa.
| Visa quota | Typical use case |
|---|---|
| 0 visas | Holding companies or businesses that do not require UAE residency. |
| 1 visa | Most consultants, freelancers and owner-managed businesses. |
| 2–3 visas | Small teams employing key staff in the UAE. |
| 4–7 visas | Growing businesses planning a larger local presence. |
The published visa ladder covers companies with up to seven visas. If your business expects to employ a larger team, the appropriate workspace and visa capacity should be confirmed with SPC before incorporation.
A zero-visa company remains a valid legal structure, but it is generally not the most practical option for businesses intending to operate through a UAE corporate bank account. The banking implications are explained in the next section.
Visa allocations follow the official SPC pricing schedule verified in June 2026. Additional visa capacity may depend on workspace eligibility and the authority's requirements at the time of incorporation.From the incorporation strategies we've prepared, starting with the number of visas your business is likely to need over the next 12–24 months usually results in a more practical structure than choosing the lowest entry package and upgrading shortly afterwards.
For a broader explanation of UAE residence visas, immigration procedures, and government fees, see our UAE residence visa guide before comparing free zones.
What does SPC renewal cost?
SPC license renewal is significantly less expensive than first-year incorporation because one-off registration and immigration costs are no longer payable. Once the company has been established, annual renewal mainly consists of the license itself together with any visa renewals required for the following year.
| Visa quota | E-commerce (AED) | Standard (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 5,760 | 6,885 |
| 1 | 7,360 | 8,485 |
| 2 | 8,960 | 10,085 |
| 3 | 10,560 | 11,685 |
| 4 | 12,160 | 13,285 |
| 5 | 13,760 | 14,885 |
| 6 | 15,360 | 16,485 |
| 7 | 16,960 | 18,085 |
For example, a one-visa E-commerce company decreases from AED 13,875 in the first year to AED 7,360 for license renewal because the incorporation-stage government charges are not paid again.
From the renewal budgets we've prepared, founders who separate recurring operating costs from one-off incorporation expenses generally find long-term budgeting much more straightforward than those comparing only first-year setup prices.
For a broader explanation of recurring UAE company costs, see our UAE business setup guide.
Can an SPC company actually open a UAE bank account?
Yes — but a corporate bank account is approved by the bank, not by SPC. The free zone creates the legal entity, while each bank independently decides whether the company meets its compliance, source-of-funds and risk requirements.
| Banks typically assess... | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Business activities | The licensed activities should match the company's actual operations. |
| Source of funds | Banks require a clear explanation of how the business is funded. |
| Shareholder profile | Residency status, ownership structure and business background all form part of the assessment. |
| Expected transactions | Turnover, counterparties and payment flows should be commercially consistent. |
| Business substance | Banks expect evidence that the company will operate as a genuine business rather than exist only on paper. |
SPC companies can obtain corporate bank accounts, but a Sharjah flexi-desk structure is accepted by some banks — not all. Combining unrelated activities under one license may increase compliance scrutiny, while a zero-visa company is generally unsuitable for businesses intending to operate through a UAE corporate bank account.
For a detailed explanation of UAE corporate banking requirements, onboarding timelines and compliance expectations, see our Corporate Bank Account Guide.
We tell clients on the first call that banking fit matters more than the choice of free zone. A clear source of funds, a coherent transaction profile and the right visa structure usually have a greater impact on approval than the license itself. That's why we assess banking before recommending SPC.
Before you register an SPC company, we'll review your shareholder profile, business activity and expected transactions to identify potential banking issues before incorporation.
Review my banking fitHow long does SPC setup take?
An SPC company can usually be incorporated in around seven working days once the required documents have been submitted. If a UAE residence visa is needed, the overall timeline is longer because immigration procedures, medical testing and Emirates ID issuance take place after company registration.
| Stage | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
| Company incorporation | Around 7 working days |
| Entry permit & immigration (if required) | Usually follows incorporation |
| Medical fitness test & biometrics | Depends on appointment availability |
| Emirates ID issuance | After immigration formalities are completed |
| Corporate bank account | Typically 1–3 months, depending on the bank and compliance review |
Medical fitness testing is normally completed in Sharjah, although eligible applicants may use other authorised UAE medical centres where permitted under current immigration procedures.
From the timelines we've managed, document readiness has a greater impact on overall setup speed than the SPC incorporation process itself. Preparing shareholder documents and source-of-funds information in advance usually helps avoid unnecessary delays later in the process.
For a detailed explanation of each incorporation stage, see our UAE company formation process guide.
Is SPC the right choice?
SPC is usually a strong choice for founders looking for a cost-efficient UAE company with flexible business activities, predictable long-term costs and a practical Sharjah base. It is generally less suitable for businesses that depend on premium Dubai positioning, specialist infrastructure or heavily regulated activities.
| SPC is usually a good fit if... | Another jurisdiction may be a better fit if... |
|---|---|
| You run a consulting, digital service, e-commerce or holding business. | You need a premium Dubai business address or stronger location branding. |
| You want predictable setup and renewal costs. | You require warehousing, manufacturing or other specialist facilities. |
| A Sharjah location supports your business model. | Your business operates in a heavily regulated sector. |
| Your business can benefit from SPC's flexible activity structure. | Your operating model is better suited to a specialist free zone. |
The headline license price should never be the only factor when choosing a jurisdiction. The better question is whether the company structure will continue to support your business as it grows over the coming years.
From the structuring projects we've delivered, founders who choose a jurisdiction around their long-term operating model usually avoid unnecessary restructuring and additional costs later on.
For a wider jurisdiction decision, see how SPC compares to SHAMS, Meydan, IFZA, or DMCC, and which free zone fits your business.
Bottom line
SPC remains one of the UAE's most cost-effective free zones for service, digital and e-commerce businesses. The published license price is only the starting point — the right structure is the one that supports your visa strategy, corporate banking and long-term business plans. In our experience, founders who plan around how the business will actually operate usually make better jurisdiction decisions than those focused solely on the lowest advertised package.
Related reading
- Business setup in the UAE: full guide
- UAE free zone company formation
- UAE residence visa routes 2026
- Business setup in Dubai Mainland
Price your case
Get a component-by-component SPC cost breakdown for your license family and visa count — license, government charges, and renewals in one number.
Get your SPC cost breakdownHow Emirabiz works with SPC Free Zone
Setting up an SPC company involves more than selecting a license package. We help founders build a structure that supports licensing, immigration and banking requirements from the outset.
When working with SPC clients, we typically:
- recommend the most appropriate license and visa structure based on your business model;
- review activity selection before incorporation;
- identify potential banking issues before the application is submitted;
- manage company registration, immigration procedures and government documentation;
- support corporate bank account onboarding after incorporation.
From our experience, resolving structuring and banking questions before registration is usually faster and less expensive than making changes after the company has already been incorporated.
Reviewed by
Andrey Ovchinnikov
Co-founder & CEO
Founded Emirabiz in 2013. Structures UAE companies and owns the sourced pricing dataset behind every figure on this site. Every figure he signs off traces to a named primary source with a verification date.
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Published July 9, 2026 · Updated July 9, 2026 · How this article was made →