SPC publishes packages from AED 5,750 as of September 2026, which is among the lowest UAE licence entry points; IFZA is package based and priced by activity and visa count. The honest all-in figure depends on your visas, so we price both for your case before you choose.
Licensing
SPC vs IFZA: which free zone fits your business
Sharjah Publishing City against IFZA Dubai, side by side.
Fixed price quoted up front
Mainland and every free zone
Licence, visas, banking, one team
Most licences in days, not weeks
SPC vs IFZA is the choice cost-led founders weigh most. Both are free zones with 100% foreign ownership and remote setup; SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City) is a lower-cost Sharjah zone with unlimited visa packages, while IFZA is a Dubai zone from the International Free Zone Authority priced by package.
Every figure below is the zone's own published number as of September 2026; packages change, so we confirm the current price and give you a fixed, itemised quote before you commit.
The basics
How do you choose between SPC and IFZA?
Lead with cost and location. SPC in Sharjah usually has the lower entry price and bundles unlimited visa packages with residency in about 5 working days, which suits freelancers, e-commerce and small trading companies watching every dirham. IFZA gives you a Dubai free zone address with flexible, package-based pricing, which matters if a Dubai licence specifically is important to you or your clients.
Both incorporate remotely, both give 100% ownership, and both reach the UAE mainland through a distributor or a branch rather than directly. So the decision is rarely about what you can do and almost always about price, the emirate on the licence, and the visa count you need, which is exactly what we cost for you before you pick.
Why it works
What are the benefits of a spc vs ifza?
SPC, lowest entry cost
A Sharjah Book Authority free zone from AED 5,750 as of September 2026, with unlimited visa packages, more than 2,000 activities and residency in about 5 working days.
IFZA, a Dubai address, set up remotely
A Dubai free zone from the International Free Zone Authority, package based and flexible, that overseas founders can incorporate without being in the UAE.
Either way, one advisor to the bank
We carry both setups through to the corporate bank account, the step most owners find hardest, with the file prepared for approval.
Compare
SPC vs IFZA, side by side
The points that actually decide it. Figures are each zone's own published numbers as of September 2026 and change over time; we confirm the current price for your case.
| Factor | SPC Free Zone | IFZA (Dubai) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Free zone | Free zone |
| Authority | SPC Free Zone, a Sharjah Book Authority subsidiary | International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) |
| Emirate | Sharjah | Dubai |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% |
| Activities | More than 2,000 | Broad, package based by activity |
| Visas | Unlimited visa packages | Scales with the package and facility |
| Residency speed | About 5 working days | Standard free zone timeline |
| Remote setup | Yes | Yes, no UAE visit needed |
| Published starting price | From AED 5,750 (as of Sep 2026) | Package based, confirm current |
| Best for | Low-cost, freelance, e-commerce | Consultancy, services, remote founders |
SPC's from-price is its published figure as of September 2026; IFZA is quoted per package. Both change over time, so we confirm the current figure and quote a fixed, itemised total.
Cost
How much does a spc vs ifza cost in Dubai?
There is no single price across the two: each depends on the activities, the visas and the office. SPC Free Zone publishes packages from AED 5,750 as of September 2026, payable in up to twelve instalments, which is among the lowest UAE licence entry points. IFZA is priced by package rather than a single headline figure, so its cost follows the activity and visa count you choose.
We compare the real all-in cost of both, including the government fees each itemises separately, the visa quota you actually need and the flexi-desk or virtual office, and give you a fixed, itemised quote rather than a headline number that quietly grows at renewal.
What makes up the cost
- SPC's AED 5,750 is the zone's own published starting point as of September 2026, not our fee.
- IFZA is quoted per package; both change over time, so we confirm the current figure before you commit.
- Government fees are itemised on top of the licence and shown in full in your quote.
Paperwork
What documents are required?
- Passport copy for each shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photograph for each visa applicant
- Proposed company name and the chosen business activities
- A short business description or plan for certain regulated activities
- Proof of address for the shareholders, such as a recent utility bill
- For a corporate shareholder, the parent company documents, attested where required
The process
How do you get a spc vs ifza?
01
Compare SPC and IFZA for your case
We weigh the two on cost, the emirate on the licence and the visa count you need, and recommend the one that fits, with a fixed itemised quote for each.
02
Reserve the name and activities
We reserve your trade name and select the activities from the zone's list, confirming any that need a special approval before you pay.
03
Submit and get the licence
We file the application with the chosen zone and, once the documents are in order, the licence is issued, quickly at SPC and on IFZA's standard timeline.
04
Visas, Emirates ID and bank account
We process the residence visas and Emirates ID, then prepare and introduce the corporate bank account file, so the company is fully operational.
Why Layerz
One team, fixed pricing, no surprises
We advise on the structure that fits your activity and customers rather than the package that is easiest to sell. You get a fixed quote with government fees itemised separately, a dedicated advisor from first call to licence, and the same team afterwards for visas, banking, accounting and renewals.
Get a free consultation Faq
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on cost, ownership, documents and timelines.
Ask us anything Ask us anything-
1. Is SPC or IFZA cheaper?
-
2. SPC is in Sharjah and IFZA is in Dubai. Does it matter?
For most online, consultancy and trading businesses it does not, since a free zone company trades internationally either way and reaches the UAE mainland through a distributor or branch in both cases. If you specifically want a Dubai address, IFZA gives that; if cost leads, SPC in Sharjah is usually lower. -
3. Which is better for a freelancer or e-commerce start?
SPC often wins on price, with unlimited visa packages and more than 2,000 activities, and residency in about 5 working days. IFZA suits founders who want a Dubai free zone and set up remotely. We match the one that fits your activity and budget. -
4. Can I set up either without coming to the UAE?
Yes. Both SPC and IFZA support remote setup, so we can incorporate while you are overseas and handle the visas and the corporate bank account for you.
Sources
- SPC Free Zone, official website spcfz.ae
- IFZA, official site ifza.com
- UAE Government, free zones u.ae
Enquire about your spc vs ifza
Tell us what you are planning and we will reply with the right structure and a fixed quote.