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Company formation in Sharjah Mainland
The UAE has established itself as an emerging entrepreneurial haven. It offers an ideal environment that specifically curates and sustains business growth and development. Sharjah mainland company formation is ideal for entrepreneurs who wish to get direct access to the UAE’s local markets and start from the very heart of the country.
Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the UAE and contributes over 35% of the country's manufacturing industries. It is popular as a cost-effective hub for business and logistics, especially because of its central location to the Northern Emirates and Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Dart is your guide to company formation in UAE and all its emirates. Get your mainland trade license with ease.
A mainland company in Sharjah is an onshore entity registered and licensed by the Sharjah Department of Economic Development (SEDD). They can trade freely within Sharjah itself and across the UAE.
Sharjah mainland companies can open branches and trade with local or private clients.
They can bid for government contracts
Foreign investors can enjoy 100% business ownership of their mainland company
Sharjah shares a border with Dubai and is in close proximity to the Northern Emirates allowing access to a broader audience
Operational costs, licensing and office space are all more cost-effective compared to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Number of residency visas are based on the size of the office space
Sharjah is recognised as the industrial hub of the UAE. It has a well developed industry of ports, logistics hubs and warehouses making it ideal for activities revolving around manufacturing and distribution.
| Comparative Features | Mainland | Freezone |
|---|---|---|
| Market Access | All Emirates | Limited |
| Government Contracts | Can Accept | Cannot Take |
| Office Requirements | Required | Optional |
| Ownership | 100% owned | 100% Owned |
100% expat ownership for majority business activities without local sponsor requirement
Freedom to trade without restrictions within the UAE and internationally
Lower setup costs, including licensing and operations, compared to other emirates
Strategic connectivity via proximity to all major sea ports, airports and other emirates like Dubai and Ajman
Over 2000+ business activities available with wide range of license types
100% repatriation of capital and profit along with investor-friendly regulations
0% personal income tax; 9% Corporate Tax only on annual profit exceeding AED 375,000
Flexibility in office space requirements with flexi-desk/virtual office options available for certain license types
Ideal for Small and Medium Enterprises, startups and industrial firms
Getting a mainland business license in sharjah is perfect for business activities such as:
Trading and distribution
Industrial companies and manufacturers
Education, healthcare and specialised services
SMEs and startups seeking cost-effective setup solutions
The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) is the regulatory authority for issuing mainland licenses in Sharjah. This license allows businesses to successfully conduct trade operations across the UAE and beyond. These licenses fall primarily into three categories:
Commercial License
This is issued for all trading activities such as general trading, import/export, logistics and e-commerce
Professional License
This is issued for all service related businesses such as IT firms, legal and professional consultancies, digital marketing agencies, project management companies, craftspeople, etc.
Industrial License
This is issued for activities such as processing of goods and products, manufacturing, storage and packing, etc.
Additionally, SEDD also provides special permits such as tourism licenses (travel agencies, tour operators, hotels), freelance licenses (individual experts), healthcare licenses (clinics), educational licenses (schools, training centers) and agricultural licenses (farming activities).
Select Activity and Legal Structure: Identify which type of license suits your business best and the correct legal form (LLC/Sole Proprietorship/Branch Office).
Trade Name Reservation: Your trade name must be unique and compliant with the UAE’s naming standards.
Apply for Initial Approval: Submit your application with the SEDD to proceed with the license issuance.
Rent Office Space: Mainland licenses require a physical office space, commercial location, or registered address. This tenancy contract is called the Ejari.
Prepare Necessary Documents: Documents such as the Memorandum of Association (MoA) have to be notarized.
Fees Payment and Application Submissions: Submit approved trade name, Ejari, notarized MoA, shareholder information, and all approvals to the SEDD. Pay the license fees and receive your trade license.
Open Business Bank Account: You can now open a corporate bank account to conduct transactions and operate your business.
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To form your company in Sharjah mainland, it is important to have all your documents in order. Failure to submit the proper documents to the SEDD can cause your license to be delayed or rejected altogether.
The business setup cost in Sharjah mainland starts approximately from AED 10,000* for just the basic license itself. It can go up to AED 30,000* for a more comprehensive setup for standard activities. For more complex business setup and structures, the cost can exceed even AED 40,000*.
There are several factors that add on to the final costs, such as activity type, leasing office space, visa applications for employees, external approvals and if required, local agent fees.
Setup time
7–10 days
Minimum cost
AED 10,000
Ownership
100% foreign ownership available
Corporate tax
9% above AED 375,000 profit
Office requirement
Mandatory
Dart specialises in creating tailored packages for business setup in Sharjah mainland to ensure a transparent and hassle-free licensing process.
*T&C Apply
As is standard across the UAE, mainland companies in Sharjah also need a mandatory physical office space. Often, virtual offices might not be accepted during the initial licensing process. The tenancy contract or Ejari needs to be attested and registered with the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) to receive your trade license.
All mainland companies in UAE, including Sharjah are subject to 9% Corporate Tax applicable on annual net profits exceeding AED 375,000. 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) is mandatorily applied on taxable supplies exceeding AED 375,000. Both Corporate Tax and VAT registration has to be done with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
It is essential to be compliant with the FTA regulations. As such all financial transactions and records must be accurate and well maintained. Corporate Tax must be filed annually, while VAT is reported quarterly. Personal income is exempt from taxes in the UAE.
To ensure that your financial operations run smoothly with no hassles, it is recommended to hire the help of financial experts and advisors who are well-versed with the UAE tax regulations.
Want to start your business in the UAE and looking for cost-effective options? Company formation in Sharjah mainland is your answer to succeeding in the Middle East. The team at Dart consists of business setup advisors who are experienced with the detailed regulations of the SEDD. We offer end-to-end business licensing and mainland setup support at affordable packages.
From the very first consultation to understand your specific business needs, to submitting all necessary documents on your behalf, Dart does it all. We also provide post-licensing support such as UAE tax registration, banking support, office space solutions and visa assistance.
Talk to the Best Company Formation Experts For Sharjah.
