Compare Dubai Internet City and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for E-Commerce & Digital Trade setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Dubai Internet City vs Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for E-Commerce & Digital Trade: Dubai Internet City starts at AED 30,000 (91% 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 30,000 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Tech giants hub, enterprise-grade infrastructure, Microsoft/Google/Oracle cluster | |
| AED 5,510 | 5-10 days | Moderate | R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships |
Tech giants hub, enterprise-grade infrastructure, Microsoft/Google/Oracle cluster
E-commerce licenses allow online retail without a physical storefront. Some free zones require a warehouse or fulfilment centre if physical goods are stored in the UAE. The activity code must explicitly cover online sales to avoid compliance issues with the Department of Economic Development.
E-commerce is a qualifying free zone activity. However, if goods are stored and sold within the UAE mainland, the 5% VAT applies and the business must register for VAT if the threshold of AED 375,000 in annual supplies is exceeded.
Banks scrutinize e-commerce applications closely due to high chargeback risks and cross-border payment flows. Providing integration details with payment gateways such as Telr, PayTabs, or Checkout.com can strengthen the application significantly.
Oct 2024: DIC celebrated 25th anniversary with over 1,600 companies
2025: TECOM Group continued expansion of co-working and flexi desk options
2025: DCCA streamlined digital licensing portal for faster application processing
2024: New AI and smart city-focused companies attracted following Dubai AI strategy
Company setup in Dubai Internet City starts from AED 30,000 per year.
Dubai Internet City processes company registrations in 3-5 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 91%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Dubai Internet City allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Dubai Internet City does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Both zones are evenly matched. Choose Dubai Internet City if: Tech giants hub, enterprise-grade infrastructure, Microsoft/Google/Oracle cluster. Choose Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park if: R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships.
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.
Was comparing SHAMS and SPC Free Zone side by side. The comparison showed which one had stronger banking options — a critical factor for my nationality.
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.
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.