Hi Chris,

I'm Deepak, and for a startup or small business, a Sharjah mainland licence can be relatively affordable compared with some other UAE locations.

In 2026, you should generally budget around AED 15,000–AED 30,000 for the first year. This is an indicative overall range covering the SEDD licence and registration costs, trade name and initial approvals, and a basic approved office or business-centre arrangement.

Sharjah Mainland Licence Cost Breakdown

The exact amount depends on whether you're applying for a professional service licence or commercial LLC licence, the activity you select, and the type of premises your business requires.

What Startups Should Consider

One of the biggest costs beyond the licence itself is the office or approved tenancy arrangement. Mainland businesses generally need an appropriate registered premises, so Chris should include this expense when calculating his actual startup budget.

There are also ongoing costs to consider. The renewal calculation can be linked to the attested annual office rent, subject to SEDD's applicable minimum and fee rules.

Another advantage of a mainland structure is market access. Unlike a free-zone company whose activities and distribution arrangements may require additional considerations, a Sharjah mainland business can generally conduct permitted activities directly within the UAE market.

For a small startup, I'd recommend getting a quotation based on the exact business activity, office requirement and number of visas rather than relying on a generic licence price. That will give you a much more realistic picture of your first-year cost.