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ZoneWise AI · online

Sharjah free zone · Industrial, maritime & trading

Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA) Company Setup in the UAE: Cost, Benefits & Visa (2026)

Hamriyah Free Zone is Sharjah’s industrial and maritime free zone, beside Hamriyah Port. It provides land, warehouses and factory units at lower cost than Dubai’s industrial zones, and suits manufacturers, traders and marine-related businesses.

Packages advertised from about AED 8,800 Indicative — not a quote
Get a written quote → Official HFZA website ↗ 💬 WhatsApp
LocationHamriyah, Sharjah (beside Hamriyah Port)
OwnershipUp to 100% foreign
Setup time1–2 weeks
Visa quotaLinked to unit size
Banking easeModerate
RenewalAnnual licence and lease renewals

HFZA company setup cost (2026)

Headline: Packages advertised from about AED 8,800 — indicative, not a quote.

Year-one budget: Depends on warehouse or industrial unit.

This is an indicative market band compiled from published guides, not the zone’s price list. Treat it as a planning range and confirm before you pay.

Not included: professional-service fees, residence visas beyond the package, office upgrades, bank minimum balances, and external approvals for regulated activities.

Benefits of the HFZA licence

  • Low-cost industrial and warehouse space
  • Port access at Hamriyah
  • Suited to manufacturing, trading and marine activity
  • Sharjah-issued licence with lower fixed costs
  • 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation

Who is HFZA best for?

  • Manufacturers and industrial operators
  • Importers and traders
  • Marine and oil-and-gas services

Typical permitted activities

  • Manufacturing and assembly
  • Trading and distribution
  • Marine services
  • Warehousing

Always check your exact activity against the zone’s permitted list. Regulated activities need separate approvals.

What to watch out for

  • Poor fit for online or office-only businesses
  • Location is some distance from central Dubai

How to set up a company in HFZA

  1. Choose the zone and activityMatch your business activity to the zone’s permitted list and your budget. Check whether you need physical space or a specific licence type.
  2. Reserve the trade nameSubmit two or three name options; zones typically approve within one to three working days.
  3. Submit documents and applicationPassport copies, photos, proof of address and shareholder details. Corporate shareholders provide attested documents.
  4. Pay fees and sign the incorporation documentsFees are paid to the free zone authority; sign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person.
  5. Receive your licence and certificatesYou receive the trade licence, certificate of incorporation and a desk or lease agreement.
  6. Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDGet the immigration card, then entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID for each visa holder.
  7. Open the bank account and register for taxApply for a corporate bank account, and register for corporate tax and, if required, VAT.

HFZA compared with similar UAE free zones

HFZASAIF ZoneJAFZAKEZAD
EmirateSharjahSharjahDubaiAbu Dhabi
Best forIndustrial, maritime & tradingAirport, trading & logisticsLogistics, trading & industrialIndustrial, manufacturing & logistics
Licence costPackages advertised from about AED 8,800Quote requiredTrading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extraIndicative AED 55,000+ for industrial or warehouse setups (quote required)
Setup time1–2 weeks1–2 weeks1–3 weeks2–6 weeks
Banking easeModerateModerateGoodGood
Fee dataIndicative bandQuote requiredIndicative bandIndicative band

FAQs: Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA) company formation

Is Hamriyah cheaper than JAFZA?

Typically yes for entry costs and industrial units, but the right choice depends on port access, customer location and the facilities you need.

How much does it cost to set up a company in Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA)?

Indicative cost: Packages advertised from about AED 8,800. This is a market price band, not a quote; Year-one totals: Depends on warehouse or industrial unit. Residence visas, office upgrades, professional-service fees, bank minimums and renewals are extra.

How long does HFZA company setup take?

Typically 1–2 weeks once documents are complete. Residence visa stamping (medical test, Emirates ID) adds further working days and requires you to be in the UAE.

Can foreigners own 100% of a company in HFZA?

Yes. UAE free zones allow up to 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of profits and capital. You do not need a UAE national partner or local sponsor.

Can companies licensed in HFZA trade in the UAE mainland?

Not freely. A free zone company generally cannot sell directly to mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most of your customers are in the UAE, compare with a mainland licence.

Do I need a physical office in HFZA?

Many packages include a flexi-desk or smart desk. Larger visa quotas, industrial activity, warehousing, or regulated activities usually need a dedicated office or unit — confirm for your activity and visa count.

Are HFZA companies eligible for 0% corporate tax?

The UAE applies 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 of taxable income. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can access 0% on qualifying income, but only if strict conditions are met, and it is not automatic. Only some zones are also VAT Designated Zones. Get tax advice for your structure.

Can I open a corporate bank account for my company in HFZA?

UAE banks assess each application on the shareholders, business model and documents — not only on the zone. Our banking-ease view for HFZA is “Moderate”. No zone or consultant can guarantee an account.

What documents are required to set up in HFZA?

Typically: colour passport copies of shareholders and directors, passport photos, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities and zones. Corporate shareholders need attested incorporation documents. Regulated activities need approvals from the relevant authority.

Who is HFZA best for?

Manufacturers and industrial operators; Importers and traders; Marine and oil-and-gas services.

Get a written quote for Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA)

Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email, with government fees shown separately from our fee.

  • Free, no obligation
  • Honest advice — including when a cheaper zone fits better
  • Remote setup available for most zones

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your enquiry.

Figures are indicative and were last reviewed in July 2026 (published fees) / September 2026 (page content). They are set by the relevant authorities and change; they exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond a bundled desk, and external approvals. This page is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm the live position with the free zone authority before paying.

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