Streamlining Business Setup
In another radical step to drive its business environment, Sharjah has come up with what has been termed as the Instant License—a quick way to establish office-based businesses. Introduced by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), the initiative will waive classic paperwork systems and allow investors and entrepreneurs to acquire a commercial license within a single working day.
The procedure of Instant License also does not entail the submission of Memorandum of Association (MoA) or a signed lease contract during the first year of operation as opposed to the normal procedure. This implies that the new business owners can begin their operations immediately; this makes market entry faster and convenient. The initiative was supported by the Sharjah Executive Council and is an indication of the emirate’s push towards modernization of its economic infrastructure and global business talent attraction.
Benefits of the Instant License
The Instant License has a set of interesting benefits to startups and smaller and mid-sized companies:
- Same-day license: Business people now can obtain a license within a day.
- No pre-lease, MoA required: They can follow later and entry becomes easy.
- Inexpensive commencement: It lowers initial set up expenses and timeliness.
- Cover office-based work: Best suited to consultancies, and online businesses as well as service providers.
- Recruit up to three workers: Provides enterprises with sufficient workforce to have lean operations.
This initiative best fits industries that do not necessarily need more approvals by the government. It facilitates legal business, reduces the occurrence of informal business, boosts legality, and enhances Sharjah as a hub of startups by skipping red tape.
Boosting Entrepreneurship in Sharjah
The business-friendly reforms that Sharjah has made are still in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, and the strategic plan of the Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi.
As stated by Hamad Ali Abdalla Al Mahmoud, SEDD Chairman, the Instant License is the essence of Sharjah commitment to the development of an adaptive regulatory framework. It is not only aimed at easing up of procedure, but also achieving an innovation-based economy that is receptive to new as well as blooming businesses.
It also serves the purposes of more general economic diversity, long-term sustainability, and attracting global investment; which makes Sharjah a very attractive option to more developed markets in the region.
How to Apply for the Instant License
The process of applying to the Instant License is online and simple. Entrepreneurs should:
- File an online SEDD portal application.
- Choose the trade activity in the list approved.
- License fee.
- Be given the license on a working day.
The first year of operations does not impose any requirement on businesses to produce leases and MoA although they will be required to submit the same for license renewal in the future. The license is suitable for usage in IT services, marketing, HR and consultancy firms because all the activities that are run in offices are not required to have outside controls.
This new model invites business to the opportunity to start operating in Sharjah with very minimal upfront investment—flexibility, speed and no legal rules and regulations are cut.
Conclusion
Instant License is not just a policy, but a strong driver of Sharjah in the days to come. The mix of speed, ease, and strategic emphasis introduces the opportunities of new investing, promotes ambitious founders, and improves the competitiveness of Sharjah at regional and global level.
The Instant License will give you a clear, efficient way to market, whether your first venture or new emirate incursion. To those hoping to do business in a vibrant proactive economy, Sharjah just took a giant leap easier.
