Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Sharjah
The standard mainland company, now 100% foreign-owned for most activities, with liability limited to share capital
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- MainlandLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Visa supportVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- On requestRenewal cost
Why Sharjah
Since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Sharjah mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. Choosing Sharjah mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. 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.
In short, sharjah mainland licences are issued by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 business days. To be clear, among the strengths of a Sharjah mainland licence are Lowest-cost mainland licence among the big three emirates and Industrial zones with affordable warehouses, which is why local service businesses gravitate here. Government and semi-government tenders in Sharjah require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges.
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
All prices for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sharjah mainland are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before any payment. Put simply, use the table below to compare packages for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sharjah mainland; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
Message us with your activity and visa count — we reply shortly with prices in writing.
Get my quoteExplore business activities in Sharjah
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.
Documents required
For a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sharjah mainland the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Attested parent-company papers for corporate shareholders
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- Passport photographs on a white background
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- 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
How Sharjah works with GoldenKey
- 1
Activity and legal form
Crucially, we pick the precise activity codes from the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals.
- 2
Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), including any external approvals your activity needs. If the authority raises a query on a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sharjah mainland at this stage, we handle it the same day.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
You sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file.
- 4
Licence, Chamber and immigration
The Sharjah mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sharjah mainland.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Sharjah. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsHow long does Sharjah mainland company formation take?
As a rule, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) typically issues the licence within 4 working days (Monday to Friday). External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Sharjah mainland company?
In practice, 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.
What is the difference between Sharjah mainland and a free zone?
As a rule, 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.
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.
How much office space do I need for a Sharjah mainland licence?
The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) requires a registered tenancy for most licences. A small office or a desk in a business centre is enough for a few visas, and the visa quota increases with the floor area.
Ready to start your business in Sharjah?
Prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sharjah mainland.
More about Sharjah
About the Limited Liability Company (LLC)
A LLC can have one to fifty shareholders, trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and sponsor visas in proportion to its office space.
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sharjah mainland for international founders. Crucially, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sharjah mainland can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
In short, 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. We speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sharjah mainland. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sharjah mainland happen the same day they are ready.
