Compare Dubai CommerCity and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for Software Development & IT Consulting setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Dubai CommerCity vs Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for Software Development & IT Consulting: Dubai CommerCity starts at AED 28,945 (88% bank approval) and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park at AED 5,510 (85%). On Year-1 cost, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 28,945 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Dedicated e-commerce free zone with fulfillment infrastructure | |
| AED 5,510 | 5-10 days | Moderate | R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships |
Dedicated e-commerce free zone with fulfillment infrastructure
Software development licenses in UAE free zones typically do not require physical office space initially, with flexi-desk arrangements accepted as the registered address. Most free zones allow 100% foreign ownership and offer instant license issuance when applying under this activity.
Software development qualifies as a qualifying free zone activity under the UAE Corporate Tax Law. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income generated from the activity. Standard 5% VAT applies to domestic supplies of software services.
Tech companies may face questions about IP ownership and revenue sources during KYC. Banks prefer to see a clear business model with identifiable clients and recurring revenue streams rather than speculative project-based income.
Dubai CommerCity's IT services licence covers software development tailored to e-commerce platforms — payment integrations, marketplace back-ends, and order management systems — with 10-minute proximity to Dubai International Airport attracting tech talent commuting from across the emirate.
2021: Dh1 billion expansion investment announced for additional offices and warehouses
2022-2023: Phase 1 opened with Business and Logistics clusters
Early 2024: Social Cluster launched (retail and food hub)
2025: Focus on partnering with e-commerce accelerators and global marketplaces
Company setup in Dubai CommerCity starts from AED 28,945 per year.
Dubai CommerCity processes company registrations in 2-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 88%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Dubai CommerCity allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Dubai CommerCity does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Both zones are evenly matched. Choose Dubai CommerCity if: Dedicated e-commerce free zone with fulfillment infrastructure. Choose Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park if: R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships.
Used the calculator to compare Meydan with five other zones — the Year 1 cost breakdown and banking scores made the choice clear in under 5 minutes.
Needed to see exactly what I was paying for at RAKEZ versus other zones. The itemized fee breakdown — license, visa, sponsorship — made the comparison transparent.
Wanted clarity on banking approval rates and substance rules by zone. The zone-specific banking data was something I couldn't find on any agent's website.
Get a personalized setup quotation with real fees, banking odds, and timeline for your activity.
Email yourself a link to this comparison so you can come back to it later.
Adjust visa quotas and demographics to calculate the complete setup costing model.
Get your personalized feasibility dossier — real fees, banking odds, and timeline for your activity and nationality. Free, no obligations.