WhatsApp quoteSince the 2021 ownership reforms, most Sharjah mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection business owners used to have. A Sharjah mainland licence, granted 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. Saudi nationals are GCC nationals enjoy special status in the UAE and can own mainland businesses with the same rights as Emiratis in most activities, so the Sharjah authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Saudi applications every day and process them without hesitation. Saudi-UAE trade is the largest intra-GCC flow, and many Saudi groups use Dubai as a regional and international base, which gives Saudi entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Sharjah licence is released.
Why Sharjah
SEDD offers an Eitimad licence for start-ups with simplified requirements. From day one, sharjah mainland licences are issued by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. Saudi applicants benefit from the fact that Sharjah already has many Saudi shareholders on its register, so its officers recognise Saudi Arabia documents and name formats instantly.
How Sharjah works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to Sharjah mainland company formation for Saudi nationals.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
In our experience, your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), together with any external approvals the activity requires.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application with the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD). If the authority raises a query on Sharjah mainland company formation for Saudi nationals at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
With the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Documents required
From day one, for Sharjah mainland company formation for Saudi nationals the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- A bank statement from your Saudi Arabia bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A police clearance certificate from Saudi Arabia if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- A passport issued by Saudi Arabia with at least six months' validity
- Passport photographs on a white background
Pricing
Just as important, use the table below to compare packages for Sharjah mainland company formation for Saudi nationals; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. The figures below for Sharjah mainland company formation for Saudi nationals are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
| Additional visa | AED 2,800 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 8,500 |
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
In short, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies Sharjah mainland company formation for Saudi nationals for international company owners. In practice, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes Sharjah mainland company formation for Saudi nationals a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
Why GoldenKey
We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for Sharjah mainland company formation for Saudi nationals. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for Sharjah mainland company formation for Saudi nationals happen the same day they are ready. Importantly, you deal with one named consultant from the first call until your Sharjah licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally.
From day one, 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 Sharjah mainland company formation for Saudi nationals.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sharjah mainland company formation take?
Importantly, 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.
How much office space do I need for a Sharjah mainland licence?
Just as important, 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.
What is the difference between Sharjah mainland and a free zone?
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.
Do Saudi nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Sharjah?
No. You can apply for the licence from Saudi Arabia with scanned documents, and the investor residency visa is handled afterwards.
Can a Saudi citizen own 100% of a company in Sharjah?
Yes. Saudi nationals can own the full share capital of a Sharjah company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
