Sharjah Free Zone Guide
Updated February 2026
Best Free Zones in Sharjah
Sharjah's 5 free zones undercut Dubai on price by 30-50% while offering surprisingly strong infrastructure — deep-water port, airport cargo, university R&D campus, and established media ecosystem. Here is every option.
Sharjah sits 15 minutes from Dubai but charges significantly less. That geographic proximity is the key value proposition — you get Northern Emirates pricing with near-Dubai accessibility. Most Sharjah licensees live in Dubai anyway.
The trade-off is brand perception. A Sharjah address does not carry the same weight as a DMCC or DIFC address with international clients. But for businesses where costs matter more than postcode, Sharjah delivers outsized value.
All Sharjah Free Zones — Ranked by Cost
SRTIP
Tech Startups · R&D & Innovation · Sustainability & Green Tech · Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing · Sharjah-based SMEs
AED 5,500
Year 1 from
Rating
★ 4.0/5
Renewal
AED 5,500
Banking
Moderate
Max Visas
10
Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) is a Sharjah innovation free zone adjacent to University City targeting R&D, technology, and future-focused industries. Official pricing lists a Zero Visa Package at AED 5,500, with visa bundles at AED 13,990 (1 visa) and AED 17,795 (2 visas), plus 1,500+ approved activities and a fully digital setup pathway.
Full profileSHAMS
Freelancers · Media & Creative · Consultants · E-commerce · Bootstrapped Startups
AED 5,750
Year 1 from
Rating
★ 4.1/5
Renewal
AED 5,750
Banking
Moderate
Max Visas
20
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) is a Sharjah free zone positioned for media, creative, and service businesses that want a low entry price and a digital-first setup experience. SHAMS offers 120+ approved business activities, the ability to include up to five activities on one license, and visa allocation up to 20 per license depending on package and facility type.
Full profileAED 5,750
Year 1 from
Rating
★ 4.4/5
Renewal
AED 5,750
Banking
Moderate
Max Visas
20
SPC Free Zone is Sharjah's flagship publishing-and-creative hub that also caters to trading, e-commerce, IT, and consultancy across 2,000+ activities. Its pay-as-you-go model publishes a clear add-on fee menu, and SPC is authorized to issue a dual license (Free Zone + Mainland), making it attractive for founders who want Sharjah cost advantages without giving up mainland access.
Full profileCOMTECH
ICT & Telecom · AI & Data Infrastructure · Tech Startups · Data Centres · IT Services Providers
AED 8,500
Year 1 from
Rating
★ 3.0/5
Renewal
AED 8,500
Banking
Difficult
Max Visas
3
COMTECH is Sharjah’s dedicated communication technologies free zone in Kalba, created by Emiri Decree and linked to the Sharjah Communication Technologies Authority. It is positioned to attract ICT, data centres, AI, and communications-focused businesses, leveraging Sharjah’s Eastern Region for a specialized tech cluster.
Full profileHFZA
Manufacturing · Industrial & Heavy Industry · Logistics · Warehousing · Import/Export Trading
AED 12,000
Year 1 from
Rating
★ 4.0/5
Renewal
AED 12,000
Banking
Moderate
Max Visas
50
HFZA is Sharjah's large industrial free zone built around port connectivity and heavy-industry infrastructure. With packages starting at AED 11,000/year, it suits manufacturing, logistics, and trading firms that need warehouses, industrial land, and export-oriented operations.
Full profileSAIF Zone
Import/Export Traders · Logistics & Freight · Light Manufacturing & Assembly · Warehousing · SMEs
AED 13,100
Year 1 from
Rating
★ 4.1/5
Renewal
AED 13,350
Banking
Moderate
Max Visas
8
SAIF Zone is a Sharjah airport-adjacent free zone built for trading, logistics, and light industrial operators that want lower entry pricing than many Dubai zones. Conservative 2026 pricing starts around AED 10,800/year for a standard license with flexi-desk and up to 3-visa eligibility.
Full profileSharjah vs Dubai: The Real Differences
| Factor | Sharjah | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Year 1 | AED 5,500 | AED 7,500 |
| Brand perception | Neutral | Strong |
| Banking ease | Moderate | Easy (DMCC) |
| Industrial options | Hamriyah port | JAFZA (3x cost) |
| Living cost | 30-40% lower | Higher |
| Distance to Dubai CBD | 15-30 min | In-city |
Cheapest Year 1
Sharjah
AED 5,500
Dubai
AED 7,500
Brand perception
Sharjah
Neutral
Dubai
Strong
Banking ease
Sharjah
Moderate
Dubai
Easy (DMCC)
Industrial
Sharjah
Hamriyah port
Dubai
JAFZA (3x cost)
Living cost
Sharjah
30-40% lower
Dubai
Higher
Distance to Dubai
Sharjah
15-30 min
Dubai
In-city
Compare Sharjah with Dubai options
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest free zone in Sharjah?
SRTIP (Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park) starts from AED 5,500 per year for a tech startup license — the cheapest in Sharjah and one of the cheapest in the entire UAE. For non-tech businesses, Hamriyah Free Zone starts from AED 12,000 with industrial warehouse options.
How many free zones are in Sharjah?
Sharjah has 5 free zones: SHAMS (media and freelancers), SAIF Zone (trading and logistics at Sharjah Airport), Hamriyah Free Zone (industrial and manufacturing with port access), SPC Free Zone (publishing and e-commerce), and SRTIP (tech and R&D on the University City campus). Each serves a different industry.
Is Sharjah cheaper than Dubai for free zone setup?
Yes, substantially. Sharjah's cheapest option (SRTIP at AED 5,500) undercuts Dubai's cheapest (d3/DKP at AED 7,500) by 27%. Most Sharjah zones cost 30-50% less than equivalent Dubai zones. The trade-off is reduced brand recognition and slightly harder banking for some zones.
Can I live in Dubai with a Sharjah free zone visa?
Yes. Your UAE residence visa allows you to live anywhere in the UAE regardless of which emirate issued it. Many Sharjah free zone licensees live in Dubai. The only practical consideration is that some government processes (medical exams, Emirates ID appointments) may need to happen in the emirate where your company is registered.
Which Sharjah free zone is best for trading?
SAIF Zone is the strongest choice for trading businesses in Sharjah. Located at Sharjah International Airport with direct cargo access, it supports 8,000+ companies and offers dual licensing for mainland trading rights. Year 1 cost starts from AED 13,100. For heavy industry or bulk commodities, Hamriyah Free Zone adds deep-water port access.
Is SHAMS good for freelancers?
SHAMS is a solid freelancer option with 13,500+ registered companies and a well-established media/creative ecosystem. At AED 19,620 for a 1-visa package, it is not the cheapest — UAQ FTZ (AED 12,500) and Ajman Media City (AED 4,999 for 0-visa) undercut it significantly. But SHAMS offers more activity flexibility and a stronger reputation for media-related freelancing.
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