1 Visa Package
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 12,100
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
MAINLAND · SHARJAH
Sharjah Mainland Activities
Industrial heartland of the UAE — manufacturing, trading and logistics at lower cost
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 3 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- MainlandLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 3 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 9,350Renewal cost
About Sharjah
Why Sharjah
In our experience, choosing Sharjah mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. Mainland company formation in Sharjah is the right choice when your customers are inside the UAE, when you need a shop, clinic or contracting classification, or when visa quota matters. A Sharjah mainland licence, released by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need.
Put simply, sEDD offers an Eitimad licence for start-ups with simplified requirements. Crucially, popular districts for a Sharjah mainland office include Al Nahda, Industrial Area, Al Majaz, Al Khan and Muwaileh, each with different rent levels and customer footfall. Importantly, among the strengths of a Sharjah mainland licence are Lowest-cost mainland licence among the big three emirates and Industrial zones with affordable warehouses, and for that reason local service businesses gravitate here.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Use the table below to compare packages for activities on the mainland in Sharjah; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. All prices for activities on the mainland in Sharjah are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands.
2 Visa Package
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 17,050
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
3 Visa Package
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 21,450
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 3,080
Annual renewalAED 9,350
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-27.
Business activities
Full list of Sharjah activities
Sharjah licenses trading, service, professional and industrial activities. Search every activity we license across the UAE and see where it is available and what it costs.
Required documents
Documents required
Gather these papers and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of activities on the mainland in Sharjah.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- Passport photographs on a white background
- Attested parent-company paperwork for corporate shareholders
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visaif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Sharjah. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsDo I still need an Emirati partner for a Sharjah mainland company?
From day one, for most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Sharjah mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
Are Sharjah mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes. Mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000 and must register with the FTA, which GoldenKey handles as part of your setup.
What is the difference between Sharjah mainland and a free zone?
In our experience, mainland companies can trade directly with any UAE customer and take government contracts; free zone companies have lower costs and customs benefits but trade with the mainland through distributors. GoldenKey compares both for your specific activity.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Sharjah mainland company?
For most clients, you cannot convert directly, but you can open a mainland branch of your free zone company or set up a new mainland LLC and transfer the business. GoldenKey advises on the most tax-efficient route.
How long does Sharjah mainland company formation take?
With documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) typically issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Sharjah?
In practice, tell us about your plans for activities on the mainland in Sharjah and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Good to know
More about Sharjah
Adding activities later
If your business changes direction, Sharjah allows an activity amendment at any time for a modest authority fee. We process the amendment and update your bank and tax records so every document stays consistent.
Combining activities on one licence
In our experience, sharjah lets you list several related activities on one licence, which is the right approach for most businesses. Unrelated lines — trading and consultancy, for example — may need a general trading licence or a second licence, and GoldenKey tells you which before you commit.
Why the UAE
In our experience, the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for activities on the mainland in Sharjah and makes international pricing simple. Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes activities on the mainland in Sharjah a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
Why GoldenKey
Day to day, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which documents each of them will ask for on a Sharjah file. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with activities on the mainland in Sharjah, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. For most clients, every Sharjah package we quote already includes the licence, registration, the establishment card where applicable and our full assistance, with no hidden add-ons at the end.
Activity groups
General TradingCommercial licence
E-commerceCommercial licence
IT & SoftwareProfessional licence
Business ConsultingProfessional licence
Marketing & Advertising AgencyProfessional licence
Real Estate BrokerageCommercial licence
Restaurant & CaféCommercial licence
Retail ShopCommercial licence
Logistics & Freight ForwardingCommercial licenceImport & ExportCommercial licence
Manufacturing & IndustrialIndustrial licence
Construction & ContractingCommercial licence
Healthcare ClinicProfessional licence
Education & TrainingProfessional licence
Media & Content ProductionProfessional licence
Recruitment & HR ServicesProfessional licence
Travel & Tourism AgencyCommercial licence
Event ManagementProfessional licence
Interior Design & Fit-outProfessional licence
Cleaning & Facilities ManagementCommercial licence
Beauty Salon & SpaCommercial licenceFitness & SportsProfessional licencePhotography & VideographyProfessional licence
Legal ConsultancyProfessional licence
Accounting & BookkeepingProfessional licenceAutomotive & Spare Parts TradingCommercial licence
Gold & Jewellery TradingCommercial licence
Crypto & BlockchainProfessional licence
Fintech & PaymentsProfessional licenceTourism & HospitalityCommercial licenceTextile & Garments TradingCommercial licence
Perfume & Cosmetics TradingCommercial licenceFoodstuff TradingCommercial licence
Engineering ConsultancyProfessional licence
Architecture & DesignProfessional licence
Printing & PackagingIndustrial licenceCar Rental & LeasingCommercial licencePharmaceutical & Medical SuppliesCommercial licence
Oil & Gas ServicesCommercial licence
Maritime & Ship ServicesCommercial licence
Holding CompanyCommercial licence
