SRTIP (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park) at a glance
SRTIP is Sharjah’s research, technology and innovation park, designed for start-ups, research firms and technology businesses. It combines low entry costs with an innovation-focused community.
Who is SRTIP suitable for?
- Technology start-ups
- Research and innovation businesses
- Solo tech founders
Industries commonly considered
IT Services, Software, Technology, Engineering. Confirm your exact activity is permitted before applying.
SRTIP company formation cost
Indicative band From about AED 5,500 (zero-visa; published by market guides) — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list.
Year-one budget: AED 14,000–25,000 with one to two visas (indicative). Renewal: Annual licence and desk renewals.
Not included: professional-service fees, extra residence visas, office upgrades, bank minimum balances and external approvals. Estimate your own visa count with the cost calculator.
Licences and company structures at SRTIP
The authority (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP)) decides which activities and licence categories are currently available. The table shows the activities most associated with SRTIP and the licence category you would typically ask about — confirm the exact activity code before applying.
| Activity | Typical licence category (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Technology and software | Technology / service licence |
| Research and development | Research / technology licence |
| Consulting | Service / professional licence |
| Digital services | Confirm the licence category with the authority |
Company structures
Typically a free zone establishment (FZE) for one shareholder, a free zone company (FZ-LLC) for two or more shareholders, or a branch of an existing company. Names and rules differ by zone — confirm the options with the authority.
Requirements and documents
- Passport copies and passport photos for shareholders, directors and managers
- Proof of residential address and, for some applicants, a bank reference
- A completed application and a business plan or activity description where requested
- Attested incorporation documents if a shareholder is a company
- Approvals from other authorities for regulated activities (health, education, finance, food, media)
Requirements vary by activity, nationality and structure. Always use SRTIP’s current checklist. Full guide: how UAE company formation works.
How to set up a company in SRTIP
- Choose the activity and confirm eligibilityCheck your activity against SRTIP’s permitted list and any external approval it needs.
- Reserve the trade nameSubmit name options; approval commonly takes a few working days.
- Submit documents and pay feesGovernment fees are paid to the authority; service fees are separate.
- Sign incorporation documentsSign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person, as the zone allows.
- Receive the licenceTiming at SRTIP: a few working days, subject to the authority.
- Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDEach visa holder completes entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID.
- Bank account and tax registrationApply for a corporate account and register for corporate tax (and VAT if required).
Office requirements and visas
In a sector district such as SRTIP, premises range from small desks to full offices. The type and size you choose typically sets your visa allocation — confirm what is currently offered for your activity.
Visa information
Four different things are often blurred together: the company licence, the establishment/immigration card, the investor/partner residence visa and employee residence visas. At SRTIP: Linked to package. A visa is never guaranteed and requires the applicant to complete medical testing and biometrics in the UAE. See the visa guide.
Banking, tax and compliance
Banking
Banking is decided by each bank, not by the free zone, and approval is never guaranteed. Our editorial view is that banks are generally good in their familiarity with SRTIP entities, but they assess shareholders, activity, source of funds and documents case by case. Documents commonly requested include the licence, incorporation documents, passports and proof of address, a business plan or contracts, and source-of-funds evidence. Read the corporate banking guide.
Tax
A SRTIP licence does not by itself decide your tax position. Corporate tax registration is required for free zone entities, the 0%/9% structure applies, and qualifying-income rules determine whether a free zone entity keeps a 0% rate on part of its income. VAT registration depends on your turnover and supplies. Read the corporate tax and compliance guide and confirm with a licensed adviser.
Compliance
Ongoing duties typically include annual licence renewal, keeping accounting records, corporate tax registration and filing, VAT if registered, economic-substance or beneficial-owner filings where applicable, and any activity-specific reporting. Confirm current duties with the authority and a licensed adviser.
Licence renewal
Annual licence and desk renewals. Renewal dates are set by your licence; late renewal can bring fines and complicate visas and banking. Check the authority’s renewal fee schedule before budgeting a second year.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Low entry cost for a technology-focused zone
- Innovation and start-up community
- Links to Sharjah’s university and research ecosystem
- Flexi-desk and lab-style options
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation
Limitations to weigh
- Sharjah location — outside Dubai’s business districts
- Confirm the permitted activity list for your business
SRTIP vs mainland
A SRTIP licence is designed for its zone and does not automatically let you sell directly to mainland UAE customers. If most of your revenue comes from UAE customers, or you want government work, compare a mainland licence; if you mainly serve international clients or operate online, a free zone can be simpler. Neither is universally better — the decision framework walks through it.
Similar free zones
| SRTIP | SHAMS | SPC | DSO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | Sharjah | Sharjah | Dubai |
| Best for | Research, technology & innovation | Media, consulting & digital services | Publishing, media & multi-sector | Technology & innovation park |
| Licence cost | From about AED 5,500 (zero-visa; published by market guides) | From about AED 5,750–6,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 14,300 with one visa | From about AED 6,875 (zero-visa) · about AED 14,325 with one visa | Indicative from about AED 11,900 (unconfirmed — quote required) |
| Setup time | A few working days | A few working days | A few working days | 1–2 weeks |
| Banking ease (editorial) | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Fee data | Indicative band | Published fees | Published fees | Indicative band |
Sharjah Media City (Shams) · Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) · Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) · Ajman Free Zone · Compare any zones
SRTIP company formation: FAQs
What is SRTIP company formation?
SRTIP company formation means registering a company under SRTIP (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park)'s rules in Sharjah. SRTIP is Sharjah’s research, technology and innovation park, designed for start-ups, research firms and technology businesses. Activities, fees and eligibility are set by the authority (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP)) and vary by licence.
How much does it cost to set up a company in SRTIP?
From about AED 5,500 (zero-visa; published by market guides). This is an indicative planning band rather than the authority's price list — request a written quote for your activity.
Can foreigners own 100% of a SRTIP company?
UAE free zones generally allow up to 100% foreign ownership and repatriation of profits. Some regulated activities carry conditions, so confirm eligibility for your exact licence with SRTIP's authority.
What licences are available in SRTIP?
Licence categories offered depend on the zone's current rules. For SRTIP the activities most associated with it include technology and software, research and development, consulting; these typically map to: Confirm the licence category with the authority; Research / technology licence; Service / professional licence. Confirm the current licence list and activity codes with the authority.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through SRTIP?
A free zone can usually sponsor investor/partner and employee residence visas, subject to package or office-based quotas and the applicant's eligibility. The trade licence and the visa are separate steps, and approval is never guaranteed. Visa allocation at SRTIP: Linked to package.
What documents are required for SRTIP company formation?
Commonly requested: passport copies and photos for shareholders and directors, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities. Corporate shareholders provide attested incorporation documents; regulated activities need additional approvals. Confirm the current checklist with the authority.
Does SRTIP require an office?
In a sector district such as SRTIP, premises range from small desks to full offices. Confirm the current requirement for your licence type and number of visas.
Can a SRTIP company do business in mainland UAE?
Not freely. Free zone companies generally cannot trade directly with mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most customers are onshore, compare a mainland licence.
What are the benefits of SRTIP?
Low entry cost for a technology-focused zone; Innovation and start-up community; Links to Sharjah’s university and research ecosystem. Weigh these against the limitations listed on this page.
How do I start a company in SRTIP?
Choose your activity and check it against SRTIP's permitted list; reserve a trade name; submit documents and pay the fees; sign the incorporation documents; receive the licence; then arrange the establishment card, visas, bank account and tax registration. Timelines: a few working days, subject to the authority.
Is SRTIP only for research companies?
It targets research and technology, but licences also cover related commercial and consulting activities. Confirm yours with the zone.
Sources and verification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official website | srtip.ae |
| Licensing / operating authority | Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) |
| Fee data status | Indicative band — From about AED 5,500 (zero-visa; published by market guides) — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list |
| Last reviewed | September 2026 (fees: July 2026) |
| Government sources to check | UAE Government portal · Federal Tax Authority · ICP (residency) |
Fees and eligibility change. Confirm the zone’s current licence list, activity codes and fee schedule with the authority before paying; ZoneWise is not the authority and does not guarantee outcomes.
Get a written quote for SRTIP
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.