Sharjah Mainland License
Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD)
Sharjah offers a compelling middle ground: Dubai proximity at significantly lower costs. Its SEDD digital portal provides the most detailed activity data in the UAE, including government approval requirements and foreign investment eligibility for each of its 2,449 activities.
2,123
Activities
Varies
Avg DED Fee
3-5 working days
Setup Time
Moderate
Banking
Fee Structure
Fees calculated per-license based on license type, legal form, investor mix, and selected activities. Contact SEDD for exact quote.
What we like
- Strategic location — 15 minutes from Dubai, significantly cheaper rents
- Largest activity database (2,449 activities with detailed government approval data)
- Modern digital portal with transparent approval requirements
- Lower overall costs than Dubai while maintaining proximity
- Strong industrial and manufacturing sector
Watch out for
- No transparent per-activity fee schedule
- Sharjah address may carry less prestige than Dubai for some clients
- More conservative business environment
- Fee calculator requires full license context — hard to estimate costs upfront
Top Activities in Sharjah
Advanced Growing of Grains, Leguminous Crop & Oilseeds
Agriculture & Fishing · 0111301
unknown
Advanced Growing of Vegetables, Melons, Roots & Tubers
Agriculture & Fishing · 0113005
unknown
Advanced Growing of Other Non- Perennial crops
Agriculture & Fishing · 0119003
unknown
Advanced cultivation of Palms & Fruits
Agriculture & Fishing · 0122001
unknown
Salt Extraction
Mining & Quarrying · 0893001
unknown
Marine Mining
Mining & Quarrying · 0899001
unknown
Oil & Natural Gas Well Maintenance
Mining & Quarrying · 0910002
unknown
Drilling Towers Installing, Dismantling & Maintenance
Administrative & Support Services · 0910003
unknown
Oil & Natural Gas Well Reinforcement Services
Mining & Quarrying · 0910004
unknown
Natural Gas & Oil Well Equipment Installation & Maintenance
Administrative & Support Services · 0910005
unknown
Oil and Gas Production Facilities Operation and Maintenance Services
Administrative & Support Services · 0910008
unknown
Technical maintenance of factories and oil installations
Administrative & Support Services · 0910009
unknown
Oil Tanks Inspection & Maintenance Services
Administrative & Support Services · 0910010
unknown
Execution of Petrochemical Industries Facilities Projects
Administrative & Support Services · 0910011
unknown
Meat Freezing
Manufacturing · 1010103
unknown
Animal Offal Processing
Manufacturing · 1010104
unknown
Fish & Seafood Canning & preserving
Manufacturing · 1020001
unknown
Fish & Seafood Freezing
Manufacturing · 1020002
unknown
Fish & Seafood Processing Vessels
Manufacturing · 1020003
unknown
Fruit Canning & Packaging
Manufacturing · 1030001
unknown
Compare with Other Emirates
Setup Requirements
Office
Physical office required. Sharjah office rents are 40-60% lower than Dubai.
Foreign Ownership
Allowed for most activities. Some restrictions on specific sectors.
Local Sponsor
Not required for most activities since 2021 reforms.
Visa
Visa quota based on office size.
Considering a free zone in Sharjah?
Compare free zone packages at our sister site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a mainland business license cost in Sharjah?
Fees calculated per-license based on license type, legal form, investor mix, and selected activities. Contact SEDD for exact quote.
Can foreigners own 100% of a Sharjah mainland company?
Allowed for most activities. Some restrictions on specific sectors. This applies to most business activities since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms.
How fast can I set up a mainland company in Sharjah?
Typical setup time in Sharjah is 3-5 working days. Actual timeline depends on the activity, required external approvals, and document readiness.
Do I need a local sponsor for a Sharjah mainland license?
Not required for most activities since 2021 reforms.
How many business activities are available for mainland licensing in Sharjah?
We track 2123 business activities available for mainland licensing in Sharjah. This includes commercial, professional, and industrial license types.
Set up in Sharjah
Get a free quote from a vetted mainland setup partner.