Sharjah Instant Business License 2025

A business license is needed to operate your business in the UAE legally. The legal licensing process takes many working days, but Sharjah has a solution for you. The city offers an instant one-day doorway to start your business. The Sharjah Instant Business License enables eligible investors to obtain a business trade license within one working day. The licensing process duration is just one working day. This cuts down the weeks of waiting and paperwork hurdles. If you are an eligible entrepreneur starting a business in the UAE, this license is a golden opportunity. Want a quick company formation Sharjah? This license is for you.

This instant business license has been introduced by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD). With this license, the entrepreneurs can initiate their businesses in one day. It cuts down the need for a Memorandum of Association and a signed contract. This process can be done for the first year of eligible activities. This Sharjah Economic Development Department license lowers the initial costs for small businesses and fresh startups. You can have your own business setup with an instant license Sharjah in just one day.

In recent years, Sharjah has seen a rapid economic growth. The emirate is working hard to expand the ports and airports. The city also focuses on the free zone to support trading, importing/exporting, and logistics. Noticing such amendments in the emirate, there is a rising demand for new startups. Therefore, a same-day business license UAE has been introduced. This license will make the quick business setup in Dubai practical and valuable. This also boosts the market access for newly licensed company formation.

Why the Sharjah Startup License Matters in 2025

In recent years, the business strategies of the UAE have changed. Sharjah has experienced a booming economic development in different sectors. The emirate has contributed an estimated 9.2% of the UAE’s GDP. The city now ranks for its strong trade, manufacturing, and services record. Sharjah continues to expand its business economy through different supportive initiatives. The Sharjah startup license is a part of supportive programs. The Sharjah Economic Development Department license is introduced to support entrepreneurs wanting to begin their business setup in Dubai. This cuts down the hassle of paperwork and weeks of waiting. Here we have the UAE business rise statistics for quick company formation Sharjah. Let’s keep an eye on them.

UAE Business Landscape:

• Over 700,000 active business licenses across the UAE (2024 data – UAE Ministry of Economy)
• 25% increase in new licenses in Sharjah compared to 2023
• 60% of new startups prefer Sharjah for its affordable setup and location
• Fastest approval rate among northern emirates

Sharjah is strategically located between Dubai and the northern markets, giving investors access to both the UAE and GCC trade zones. The instant license system helps capture this growing opportunity by cutting time, cost, and complexity.

What Is a Sharjah Instant Business License?

The Sharjah Instant Business License is a simplified commercial license designed for speed. The eligible applicants can submit their documents online.  If the activity needs no external regulator approval, SEDD can issue a same-day business license UAE.

There are some key features of this license:

• A digitalised application submission service through the SEDD portal.
• License issuance in one working day for qualifying activities.
• No MoA or signed lease required in year one (conditional on activity).
• Suitable for office-based, professional, and many commercial activities.

This is not a blanket license for all sectors. Activities that require external approvals (e.g., health, food, certain educational services, or regulated financial services) still need the usual clearances. The instant path accelerates the typical non-regulated trades so entrepreneurs can operate legally and quickly.

Objectives Behind the Instant License Initiative

The initiative serves clear policy goals:

1. Attract investment quickly. Sharjah wants to convert interest into actual operating businesses, fast. Faster licensing reduces the chance that potential investors choose other emirates.
2. Grow SMEs and startups. Lower administrative burden helps freelancers, micro firms, and digital entrepreneurs enter the market.
3. Boost employment and trade. New companies hire staff and use logistics channels — a direct lift to local commerce.
4. Support digital transformation. The one-day model is part of SEDD’s digital services push to make government interactions faster and more transparent.

All these benefits support and encourage the UAE’s economic strategy: diversify non-oil GDP, support FDI, and scale SMEs. The instant license is one operational tool in that broader strategy.

Benefits of the Sharjah Instant License

• Shortest Time Speed: A one-business-day License cuts time-to-market significantly.
• Reduced initial capital requirement: The license cuts down the requirements of a signed lease and MoA. This reduces the initial capital investment.
• Ease of digitalisation: Online application, payment, and issuance through the SEDD portal.
• Banking and visas: Banks and immigration accept the license for opening regular accounts or applying for visas.
• Flexibility: This license covers many commercial activities, so if you change or scale up and out now or in the future, simply log back in to your account and upgrade.

Logistics note: Whilst initial requirements are lighter, some of the follow-ups (e.g., visa, corporate bank account, customs code for trade) may ask for additional documents. Be prepared to provide copies of IDs, proof of residence for shareholders, and immigration documents where visas are being issued.

That makes planning key — the license is instantaneous, but operational setup (banking, visas) typically takes even more days to complete.

Sharjah Instant License Requirements 2025

Key document and eligibility (practical checklist):

• Valid copies of Passports (All Shareholders / Owners).
• Emirates ID for residents when applicable.
• Trade name reservation (register or reserve a name via SEDD).
• Selected business activity from SEDD’s approved list.
• Proof of fee payment (online payment receipt).

Eligibility constraints and logistics:

• The instant route applies only to activities that do not require external regulator approval. Confirm your activity in SEDD’s activity catalogue before you apply.
• Non-residents can often apply, but some downstream steps (visa stamping, bank account opening. It requires physical presence or additional KYC Plan travel for biometric/medical steps if you are outside the UAE.
• UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) details are required. Companies must report UBO information in line with UAE rules. Keep accurate ownership records from day one.

Practical tip: Prepare all the digital copies and have them named correctly before you start. This ultimately reduces upload errors and accelerates approval for Sharjah instant license requirements.

How to Get Instant License in Sharjah (Step-by-Step Process)

There is a step-by-step guide on how to get instant license in Sharjah. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: What Business Do You Want to Be In?

Go to the SEDD list of activities and find an activity that relates to your business concept. Sharjah conducts more than 2,000 commercial and professional activities.

Step 2: Reserve a Trade Name

Select a one-of-a-kind name that complies with the trade name rules and regulations of the UAE. Avoid religious or political terms.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Apply instant license Sharjah online. Enter the SEDD e-services, complete the License form, and attach the necessary document to it.

Step 4: Pay the Fee

Fees can be paid online. How much? It depends on what you do and the type of license you hold.

Step 5: Get Your License

As soon as your payment has been validated, you will get an email with your immediate license. You can begin doing business and open a company bank account.

Cost Of Sharjah Instant License (2025 Updated)

The nature of your activity determines the Cost of Sharjah instant license, the number of partners, and extra services. The government wants that to remain affordable for new entrepreneurs.

Here’s an approximate cost breakdown:

It is one of the cheapest setting up costs in the mainland UAE, when you compare it to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Business Setup with Instant License Sharjah

There are two practical ways for business setup with instant license Sharjah:

• Mainland through SEDD (Instant License): Local contracts and the UAE market can be easily accessed. It’s preferable if your potential clients are local businesses, landlords, or government tenders.
• Free zones (SPC, Shams, SAIF, Hamriyah): Provide 100% foreign ownership with different packages and visa rules. Free zones are more advantageous if you conduct export-oriented activities, need IP protection, or have some tax benefits.

Logistics and choice factors:

• Customer location: If you want to trade directly on the UAE market or in the mainland, it may be preferable.
• Ownership and tax planning: Free zones are attractive when 100% ownership and customs benefits matter.
• Visa requirements: Some free zone packages provide larger visa allocations for flexi-desk or office plans. Mainland instant licenses can also have specific employee limitations at the onset. For instance, up to 3 instances of users in some instance license model. You’d best consult SEDD advice for precise restrictions in your activity.
• Banking: Banks will accept both mainland instant licenses and free zone licenses, but the requested documentation can vary. Some are referring to the fact that you sometimes need an office address or a «signatory» from the country of your bank account.
• Case logistics: If you intend to bring goods into the country, get that customs code and HS classification info sooner rather than later.

If you plan to hire, medical testing, Emirates ID appointments, and visa stamping can take more days. (after license issuance)

Sharjah’s Role in the UAE’s Entrepreneurial Growth

Sharjah’s Role in the UAE’s Entrepreneurial Growth

Sharjah is scaling its infrastructure and business capacity to host more companies. Recent indicators are:

• Airport throughput: Sharjah International Airport handled more than 17.1 million passengers in 2024, with cargo operations rising and a substantial increase in flights. This improves market connectivity for businesses.
• Free zone attraction: Sharjah free zones (Hamriyah, SAIF, SPC) attracted hundreds to thousands of new companies in recent years. Free zones reported over 1,600 new company entries in 2024 across major zones. That reflects strong inbound investor interest.
• Trade growth: Sharjah’s foreign trade expanded as part of the UAE’s broader trade increase. This gives companies access to growing import/export demand.

The strong airport capacity, active free zones, and rising trade make Sharjah attractive for businesses, especially for those seeking rapid setup and regional distribution.

Upgrade of the Renewal process of Sharjah Instant License

The Business license Sharjah has an easy renewal and upgrading process. If you grow, you can upgrade your instant license to a full commercial or professional license with office space.

Renewal Requirements:

• Trade name and activity information as such.
• Core Documents (Emirates ID, Tenancy contract if included) with Latest Originals.Documents RenewedgetDoctrine Last Updated(Original Document)
• Payment of renewal fees

It takes a few minutes to renew via the SEDD digital system.

Statistics and Market Insight: Why Investors Prefer Sharjah

Investors look at cost, speed, and logistics. Sharjah scores well on all three:

• Lower operating costs: Office rent and labor tend to be 25–40% cheaper than comparable spaces in Dubai (varies by sector and location). This gap matters for early cash flow.
• Quick approvals: With SEDD’s online instant license and the introduction of e-services, it takes hours, not weeks.

• Increased license volume: Business licenses across the UAE were growing in 2024—mid-2025. There have been reports of an estimated 1 million active business licenses by mid-2025. It was reported on the back of digital reforms and instant licensing schemes. This growth results in a rich ecosystem of businesses and suppliers.

Logistics advantages in numbers:

• Connectivity: 17.1M passengers (Sharjah Airport, 2024).
• Free zone inflow: 1,600+ new free-zone companies in 2014 at the major Sharjah zones.

It is these metrics that make for a convincing business case. The quicker setup, lower cost, and strong logistics are the greatest appeals. Sharjah is a well-founded mix to help startups scale faster and with less capital.

Why You Should Work with a Business Setup Consultant

Although you may be able to apply directly via SEDD, partnering with a company formation expert means everything is processed for you seamlessly and accurately. Consultants help you with:

• Selecting the Appropriate Activity and License Type
• Completing document requirements
• Registering with the relevant authorities
• Helping with a visa and opening a bank account

Business setup experts in Dubai will manage the UAE instant business license applications. They will handle the process from start to finish, including setup, renewal, and compliance support. They will provide deeper insights into how to apply instant license Sharjah online. They help you in giving you the freedom to focus on developing your business.

FAQS

Q1: What is a Sharjah Instant License?

The Sharjah Instant Business License is a simplified commercial license designed for speed.

Q2: Who issued the Instant License Sharjah UAE?

This instant business license has been introduced by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD).

Q3: How much does this license cost?

The instant license in Sharjah costs approx 5,000 – 12,000.

Q4: Why do investors prefer Sharjah for business setup in Dubai?

Mostly, investors prefer Sharjah because of its lower costs, quick approvals, developments, and increased license volume.

Q5: How business setup consultant in Dubai help you?

They can help you with expert guidance and deeper insights into the license obtaining process and costs.

Conclusion

The Sharjah Instant Business License is one of the most potent tools for entrepreneurs in the UAE by 2025. It reduces the unnecessary waiting time and cuts down on costs. It makes new investors self-sufficient to launch their businesses within 24 hours.

If you are a freelancer, startup founder, or foreign investor, this license is for you. It has everything required to get started on the right side of the law.

It’s supported by an advantageous government with one of the lowest setup costs available. Also, you can have direct access to some of the most successful markets in the region.

Ready to start your business today?

Apply for your UAE instant business license through the SEDD portal. Get in touch with business setup experts in Dubai and business setup consultants in Dubai. They will help you to get your business set up in no time and with full confidence.