Our home emirate
Business Setup in Sharjah
Our office is in Muwaileh Commercial, so we know Sharjah's licensing counters, municipality procedures and approval routes first-hand. We can get your Sharjah mainland company licensed quickly and with costs set out clearly.
Quick answer
To set up a mainland business in Sharjah you apply to the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD). You choose your activity and legal form, reserve a trade name, get initial approval, register an attested office lease with Sharjah Municipality, and receive your trade licence. Most standard licences are ready within 1–2 weeks.
Why set up your business in Sharjah?
Sharjah is the UAE's third-largest economy and its industrial and cultural heart. Office and warehouse rents are typically well below Dubai's, while Dubai, Ajman and the northern emirates are only a short drive away. Sharjah also has two seaports on both UAE coasts (Khalid Port and Khor Fakkan) and an international airport with strong cargo links.
- Lower office, warehouse and staff accommodation costs
- Strong manufacturing, logistics, education and healthcare sectors
- Direct access to the Dubai and northern emirates markets
- A wide choice of mainland and free zone options (SAIF Zone, Hamriyah, SHAMS, SPC)
Popular business activities in Sharjah
- General trading and building materials
- Auto parts, spare parts and vehicle services
- Restaurants, cafeterias and food stuff trading
- Technical services, contracting and maintenance
- Typing centres, document clearing and business services
- Education, training centres and nurseries (with SPEA approval)
Sharjah instant and e-licences
SEDD offers fast-track and digital licence routes for many low-risk activities, allowing some businesses to receive a licence within a day of submitting complete documents. Not all activities qualify, so we check eligibility first and use the fastest route available.
Key benefits of Business Setup in Sharjah
Local know-how
Our team works at Sharjah government counters every day, from SEDD and the municipality to Civil Defence.
Lower running costs
Competitive rents and renewal fees compared with many Dubai locations.
Industrial ready
Large industrial areas for workshops, factories and warehouses.
Two coasts, two ports
Ship from the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Oman via Khalid Port and Khor Fakkan.
Family friendly
Affordable housing and schools make it easier to relocate your family.
Full PRO support
Visas, labour files, renewals and attestation are handled under one roof.
How to set up a company in Sharjah
Free consultation & activity selection
We map your business idea to the correct activity codes in SEDD's activity list and confirm whether any extra approvals apply.
Legal form & trade name
We help you choose between an LLC, sole establishment, civil company or branch, then reserve a compliant trade name.
Initial approval
We file for initial approval with SEDD. This confirms the government has no objection to you doing business.
MOA & office lease
We draft and notarise the Memorandum of Association where needed and register your office lease (a Sharjah Municipality-attested tenancy contract).
External approvals
For regulated activities, we obtain approvals from bodies such as the municipality, health, education or police authorities.
Licence issuance & next steps
We pay the fees, collect your trade licence and then open your establishment card, labour file and visa quota.
Documents usually required
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- UAE visa or entry stamp copy (if inside the UAE)
- Passport-size photographs with a white background
- Emirates ID copies for UAE residents
- Proposed trade names (three options in order of preference)
- Signed tenancy contract / office lease for the business premises
- For corporate shareholders: attested certificate of incorporation, MOA/AOA and board resolution
Requirements can vary by authority, nationality and activity. We confirm the exact list for your case before anything is submitted.
Why clients choose DocTrust
Transparent pricing
Every quote separates government fees from our service fee. No surprise add-ons.
Fast turnaround
We prepare, type and submit applications correctly the first time, so files are not rejected and delayed.
One point of contact
One consultant handles your file from the first call until the licence, visa or certificate is in your hands.
All 7 emirates
We are based in Sharjah and work with mainland, free zone and federal authorities across the UAE.
Business Setup in Sharjah: common questions
How much does a Sharjah mainland licence cost?
The cost depends on the activity, legal form, trade name and office rent. Sharjah's government fees are generally competitive. We give a written breakdown of SEDD fees, municipality charges and our service fee before you start.
Can I get a Sharjah licence without an office?
A mainland licence needs a registered business premises. For a lower-cost route, consider a Sharjah free zone such as SHAMS or SPC, which accept flexi-desk packages.
Is 100% foreign ownership allowed in Sharjah?
Yes. Sharjah allows 100% foreign ownership for a wide list of commercial and industrial activities. Some professional and specialised activities may need a local service agent.
Can my Sharjah company work in Dubai?
Your Sharjah mainland company can sell to customers in Dubai and across the UAE. To run a physical branch, shop or office in Dubai, you would add a branch licence there.
Speak to a Business Setup in Sharjah specialist
Share a few details and a DocTrust consultant will reply with the right approach, a list of documents and a written quote, usually within one business day.
- +971 50 515 2636
- +971 50 501 2460
- Chat on WhatsApp
- info@doctrust.ae
- Office 03, Ground Floor, Building 1371, Muwaileh Commercial, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Talk to a DocTrust consultant today
Get a clear plan, a written cost breakdown and a realistic timeline, with no obligation.