Quick Answer
SPARK free zone business activities cover far more than technology. I went through the updated SPARK activity list line by line: it holds 966 active activity codes, of which 539 are commercial, 423 are services and 4 are industrial. More than half are trading activities, and about one in six are consultancy. SRTIP itself markets “over 1,500 approved activities”, so treat the list below as a working snapshot and confirm your exact code before you apply.
Most SPARK activities carry a listed minimum share capital of AED 20,000 and can operate from any facility type, including a flexi-desk. The details that change your setup are elsewhere: about two in three activities list a third-party authority approval, 25 aviation and pharmacy activities need that approval before licensing, 22 activities list AED 150,000 of share capital, and a handful can only operate inside the SRTIP premises. This guide shows what you can licence in the SRTIP free zone, what each activity really requires, and how to choose the right one.
Table of Contents
What the SPARK Activity List Actually Contains in 2026
Most guides to SPARK free zone business activities repeat one number and a few sector names. The activity list itself is more useful than that, because each code carries its own licence type, share capital, facility rule and external approval. Here is the whole list summarised.
| What the list shows | Count | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Active activity codes | 966 | A working snapshot; SRTIP markets 1,500+ approved activities, so check your exact code |
| Commercial licence activities | 539 | Trading, retail, e-commerce and vehicle activities |
| Services licence activities | 423 | Consultancy, IT, education, media, logistics and professional services |
| Industrial licence activities | 4 | Two manufacturing lines, desalination plant operation and 3D-printed decoration work |
| Standard activities | 847 | Routine review at application |
| Special activities | 117 | Closer review, often tied to a regulator |
| Activities listing a third-party approval | 640 | 608 approved after licensing, 25 before licensing, 16 still marked “not confirmed” |
| Activities with AED 20,000 listed share capital | 940 | The default for almost every activity |
| Activities with AED 150,000 listed share capital | 22 | Retail food, hospitality, business centres, DLT, medical facilitation and similar |
| Activities that work from any facility type | 936 | A flexi-desk or shared workspace is enough |
| Activities restricted by location or structure | 11 | 9 within SRTIP premises only, 1 outside the UAE only, 1 branch only |
The split matters for one reason. SPARK, still widely searched for as the SRTIP free zone, is often described as an AI and research free zone, and I made that case myself in how SPARK quietly became an AI free zone. The activity list tells a broader story: it is a general licensing list with a strong trading and consultancy core, sitting inside an innovation park.
SPARK Free Zone Business Activities by Sector
SRTIP labels most SPARK free zone business activities simply as “General”, which is not much help when you are deciding. I grouped the 966 codes by their ISIC sector code instead, the international classification each activity number is based on.
| Sector (ISIC grouping) | Activities | Examples from the list |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale and retail trading | 538 | General Trading, Wholesale of Perfume Trading, Cars New Spare Parts Trading, E-Commerce Through Websites |
| Professional, scientific and consultancy | 211 | Marketing Consultancy and Studies, Human Resources Consultancy, Tax Consultancy and 82 engineering consultancy codes |
| ICT and media | 45 | Computer Systems and Software Designing, Cyber Security Consultancy, Social media account management |
| Education and training | 34 | Educational Consultancy, Computer Software Training, Technical and Professional Training |
| Manufacturing and installation | 26 | Essential Oils Manufacturing, Security and Surveillance Systems Installation |
| Administrative and support services | 25 | Organization and event management, Project Management Services, Business Center |
| Construction-related services | 24 | Electromechanical Equipment Installation, Fire Fighting and Safety Equipment Installation |
| Finance and investment | 17 | Commercial Enterprises Investment, Institution and Management, Distributed Ledger Technology Services |
| Transport and logistics | 15 | Logistics Services, Freight Broker, Air Cargo Agent |
| Other (real estate, hospitality, arts, health, energy, water) | 31 | Real Estate Consultancy, Restaurant, Photography Services, Pharmacy |
Within trading, 419 activities are wholesale lines, 86 are retail and 33 cover vehicles and parts. That depth is why SPARK works for product businesses, as I showed in the automotive spare parts trading analysis and the e-commerce business guide. Within consultancy, the list runs from management and marketing to highly specific engineering codes, which is why I wrote SRTIP is not just for tech startups.
SPARK Free Zone Business Activities by Licence Type: Commercial, Services and Industrial
Every one of the SPARK free zone business activities sits under one licence type, and the type decides what kind of company you are in the eyes of banks, customs and clients.
- Commercial (539 activities): buying and selling goods, including wholesale, retail, e-commerce and vehicles. Choose this if you hold stock, import, export or sell online.
- Services (423 activities): consultancy, IT, marketing, training, logistics services and professional work. Choose this if you invoice for time, expertise or software rather than goods.
- Industrial (4 activities): Essential Oils Manufacturing, Beauty and Make-Up Preparations Manufacturing, Water Desalination and Treatment Plants Operation and Maintenance, and 3D printing decoration work. Real production at scale usually belongs in a dedicated industrial zone, which I compared in the best industrial free zones for manufacturing.
If your model mixes goods and services, for example selling software and hardware together, you will usually need activities from both types on one licence. That is allowed within the package activity limit, but the activity wording has to describe both sides of the business.
Standard vs Special Activities in the SRTIP Free Zone
847 activities are marked Standard and 117 are marked Special. Special does not mean forbidden. It means the activity gets closer review, and in practice it usually goes with a regulator.
Examples of Special activities include Logistics Services, Real Estate Purchase and Sale Brokerage, Wholesale of Jewelry, Diamond and Precious Stones, Distributed Ledger Technology Services, Medical Treatment Facilitation Services and the investment management activities. If your core activity is Special, plan for extra documents and a longer review rather than the headline setup time.
Which SPARK Free Zone Business Activities Need Third-Party Approval
This is the gap I see in almost every guide to the SRTIP free zone. A SPARK licence lets you hold the activity. For about two in three activities, a federal or Sharjah authority still has to approve how you actually operate it.
| Authority listed | Activities | Typical activities |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) | 84 | Food, agricultural, fish and environmental trading |
| Ministry of Health and Prevention / food safety authorities | 82 | Foodstuff, cosmetics, medical equipment, pharmacy |
| Ministry of Economy | 77 | E-commerce, trademarks, consumer protection, auditors |
| Civil Defence | 63 | Safety equipment, installation and event activities |
| Standards and industry bodies (ESMA, MoIAT) | 54 | Regulated products and conformity |
| TDRA | 37 | Telecom equipment and connected devices |
| General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) | 33 | Aviation, drones and air cargo |
| Transport authorities | 30 | Logistics, freight and vehicle activities |
| National Media Office | 22 | Media and publishing activities |
| Central Bank of the UAE | 8 | Gold, precious metals, jewellery and payment activities |
Some activities name more than one authority, so the rows overlap. The bigger point is timing:
- 608 activities need approval after licensing. You can get the licence first, but you cannot operate that activity until the approval is in place.
- 25 activities need approval before licensing. 24 are aviation activities that need the GCAA first, such as Aviation Consultancy, Air Cargo Agent, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Services and General Sales Agent. The other is Pharmacy, which needs the health authority.
- 16 activities are marked “not confirmed yet”, including Propriety Trading in Crypto-commodities. Treat these as open questions, not green lights.
- 326 activities list no external approval, including General Trading, Computer Systems and Software Designing, Human Resources Consultancy and Social media account management.
If your activity sits in a regulated sector, read the sector guide before you apply: SRTIP for healthcare and MedTech, SRTIP for mobility and logistics, SRTIP for sustainability and SRTIP for advanced manufacturing and aerospace.
Share Capital, Facility and Location Rules Most Guides Skip
Listed minimum share capital
940 of the 966 activities list AED 20,000 as the minimum share capital. 22 list AED 150,000, including Grocery, Super Market, Mini Market, Restaurant, Cafeteria, Business Center, Innovative Business Incubator, Media representative office, International Airline Representative Office, Medical Treatment Facilitation Services, Kindergartens, Pharmacy and Distributed Ledger Technology Services.
If you combine activities, plan around the highest figure among them. Whether that capital must be deposited or only declared is a question to confirm with SPARK for your structure, because the list states the minimum, not the proof required.
Facility type
936 activities can run from any facility type, so a flexi-desk or co-working arrangement is enough. About two dozen need something specific: retail units for grocery and supermarket activities, a physical office for representative offices and the business centre activity, land for the two manufacturing lines, and a share desk or physical facility for DLT services.
Location and structure restrictions
| Restriction | Activities |
|---|---|
| Within SRTIP premises only (9) | Green Vehicles Charging Systems Installation and Maintenance, Water Desalination and Treatment Plants Operation and Maintenance, 3D printing decoration, Restaurant, Cafeteria, Hall social events, Kindergartens, First Aids Training, Talented Children Development Center |
| Outside the UAE only (1) | Transportation of Ships Waste Oils |
| Branch only (1) | Pharmacy |
These restrictions are easy to miss on a quote that only lists activity names. A restaurant licence that can only operate inside the park is a very different business from one that can open anywhere in Sharjah.
Popular SPARK Free Zone Business Activities and What Each One Requires
These are the SPARK free zone business activities founders ask me about most, with the requirements taken from the activity list.
| Activity (as named on the list) | Licence type | Listed share capital (AED) | External approval listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Trading | Commercial | 20,000 | None listed |
| E-Commerce Through Websites | Commercial | 20,000 | Ministry of Economy, after licensing |
| E-Commerce Through Social Media | Commercial | 20,000 | Ministry of Economy, after licensing |
| Computer Systems and Software Designing | Services | 20,000 | None listed |
| Cyber Security Consultancy | Services | 20,000 | None listed |
| Social media account management | Services | 20,000 | None listed |
| Marketing Consultancy and Studies | Services | 20,000 | Economic development department, after licensing |
| Human Resources Consultancy | Services | 20,000 | None listed |
| Economical Feasibility Consultancy and Studies | Services | 20,000 | None listed |
| Tax Consultancy / Tax Agent Services | Services | 20,000 | Federal Tax Authority, after licensing |
| Organization and event management | Services | 20,000 | Sharjah tourism authority and Civil Defence, after licensing |
| Cars New Spare Parts Trading | Commercial | 20,000 | Ministry of Economy, after licensing |
| Wholesale of Perfume Trading | Commercial | 20,000 | Ministry of Economy (cosmetics rules), after licensing |
| Logistics Services (Special) | Services | 20,000 | Federal Transport Authority, after licensing |
| Wholesale of Jewelry, Diamond, and Precious Stones (Special) | Commercial | 20,000 | Central Bank of the UAE, after licensing |
| Distributed Ledger Technology Services (Special) | Services | 150,000 | Securities regulator (SCA), after licensing |
| Medical Treatment Facilitation Services (Special) | Services | 150,000 | Ministry of Health and Prevention, after licensing |
A few practical notes. Software and AI founders should read SPARK for software and IT companies and the best free zones for AI companies. HR consultancy founders can see the full numbers in the HR consultancy business analysis. And real estate brokerage appears on the list, but the approval it names is a Dubai regulator, which is one reason it features in who should not choose SPARK free zone.
SPARK vs Other Sharjah Free Zones and UAE Free Zones on Business Activities
Every UAE free zone publishes its own activity list, and the lists overlap heavily for trading and consultancy. Comparing SPARK free zone business activities with other zones is really about the focus around the list and the price of combining activities.
The six Sharjah free zones
| Sharjah free zone | Main focus | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| SPARK (SRTIP free zone) | Innovation park with a broad commercial and services activity list | Trading, e-commerce, consultancy, software and R&D-led businesses that want several activities in one package |
| SAIF Zone | Airport-linked trading, logistics and light manufacturing | Businesses that need warehouses or air cargo access |
| Hamriyah Free Zone | Heavy industry, marine, oil and gas, and building materials | Manufacturers and port-linked operations on land plots |
| SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) | Media, creative, freelance and general services | Freelancers, agencies and solo consultants |
| Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) | Publishing, printing and content, plus general business activities | Content businesses and founders comparing low-cost packages |
| Sharjah Healthcare City | Hospitals, clinics and healthcare services | Licensed healthcare providers |
I compared the main options in more depth in which Sharjah free zone fits your business. For most trading, consultancy and technology founders, the realistic shortlist is SPARK, SHAMS and SPC, and the activity list is rarely what separates them. The surrounding ecosystem, visa capacity and renewal cost usually do.
How SPARK fits among UAE free zones
The UAE has more than 40 free zones across its seven emirates, and each one licenses its own activities, so SPARK free zone business activities are only one list among many. Two rules apply to all of them.
First, a free zone company is built to trade inside its zone and abroad, so selling directly to mainland customers needs the right structure. Second, 0% corporate tax is not automatic. A company that meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on its other taxable income, while a free zone company that does not qualify is taxed like a mainland company: 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above it. I explain how this works for SPARK in is SPARK really tax-free.
If price is your main filter, the cheapest headline packages in other emirates often limit activities or charge per extra activity. I broke down what founders actually pay in the cheapest free zones by emirate. For an independent check of what any UAE free zone is licensed to offer, the UAE government free zones guidance is the neutral starting point.
How Many Activities Can You Put on One SPARK Licence?
SRTIP’s official business setup page currently lists a zero-visa package from AED 5,500 with up to five activities, a one-visa package from AED 13,990 and a two-visa package from AED 17,795, each with up to five activities, and a setup time of 7 to 10 working days. Prices and promotions change, so I keep the full breakdown, including renewal and office costs, in SPARK free zone cost 2026.
Five SPARK free zone business activities on one entry-level licence is generous compared with zones that charge per activity. It lets a consultant hold marketing, feasibility and HR consultancy together, or an e-commerce brand hold website sales, social media sales and the wholesale line for its product. The rule I apply is simple: every activity you add should describe something you will actually invoice for in the next 12 months.
Legal Structures, Documents and Office Options for a SPARK Licence
Once your SPARK free zone business activities are settled, three practical choices complete the application.
- Legal structure: a Free Zone Establishment (FZE) for a single shareholder, a Free Zone Company (FZC) for two or more shareholders, or a branch of an existing UAE or foreign company. The activities on a branch must match what the parent company already does.
- Documents: passport copies and photos for each shareholder and manager, three proposed trade names, a short business plan and the completed application. A corporate shareholder also needs its parent licence, memorandum of association, a board resolution and details of its ultimate beneficial owners.
- Office type: most activities can use a flexi-desk or co-working space, which is usually bundled into the first-year package. Dedicated offices, labs and land plots are available for activities that need them, as covered in the facility rules above.
Visa capacity depends on your package and office type, so plan your team size before you choose. The SPARK free zone visa guide covers investor, partner and employee visas in detail.
How to Choose the Right SPARK Business Activity: 5 Checks
Choosing among SPARK free zone business activities is where most setups go right or wrong. The wrong activity code is the most common cause of delay and costly amendments, as I explained in the SPARK free zone setup process. Run these five checks before you submit.
- Match the activity to your invoices. Write down what your first ten invoices will say. The activity names on your licence should cover every one of them.
- Check the approval stage. If the activity needs approval before licensing, start that process first. If it needs approval after licensing, budget time before you can trade.
- Use the highest share capital and strictest facility. One AED 150,000 or retail-only activity sets the requirement for the whole licence.
- Check where your customers are. A free zone licence is built for business inside the zone and abroad. Selling to UAE mainland customers needs the right route, which I explain in mainland vs free zone vs offshore.
- Think about your bank and corporate tax. Banks read your activity list against your transactions, and the activities you actually carry out feed into whether income can qualify for the free zone corporate tax treatment. A vague or mismatched list slows both.
If you want a structured way to work through these decisions, the UAE business setup checklist covers activity, jurisdiction, cost and banking readiness on four sheets.
When the SPARK Activity List Is Not the Right Fit
A long list of SPARK free zone business activities does not make SPARK right for everyone. It is usually the wrong choice if your business needs a physical warehouse at scale or bonded storage, if your core activity is a Dubai-regulated one such as real estate brokerage, or if you need a regulated financial licence that only a financial free zone issues.
In those cases the activity may appear on the list, but the business model will not work well from SPARK. I set out seven of these models in who should not choose SPARK, and I would rather tell you that before you pay than after.
My Approach: Choose the Activity Before You Choose the Package
Most business setup consultants help you register a company. I help you make informed business decisions before you invest.
For SPARK free zone business activities, that means I start with your business model, your first year of invoices and your customers, then map them to the exact codes on the current list, checking approvals, share capital and facility rules before we compare packages. If the AED 5,500 zero-visa package with five activities covers what you need, I will say so. If your activity needs a pre-licensing approval or fits another Sharjah or UAE free zone better, you will hear that first.
My advisory process focuses on helping you reduce uncertainty and make confident decisions, not just complete documentation.
What you can expect when you work with me:
- Business idea validation before you commit to an activity
- Market research on demand for your product or service in the UAE and GCC
- Competitor analysis for your chosen activity and customer segment
- Activity mapping from your planned invoices to the exact SPARK codes
- A third-party approval plan showing which authority, and whether before or after licensing
- Share capital and facility checks across every activity you combine
- Package selection between zero, one and two-visa SPARK tiers
- Business structure selection between SPARK, other Sharjah free zones and mainland
- Financial feasibility and startup cost estimation for your first two years
- Corporate tax and VAT planning based on your actual activities
- Business bank account strategy matched to your activity list
- Investor and employment visa planning for you and your team
The objective is simple: help you start your business with clarity, confidence and a long-term strategy. You can see how I work in free zone company formation and pre-launch consulting, or book a consultation to check your activity.
Is SPARK the Right Free Zone for Your Activity?
Looking across all 966 SPARK free zone business activities, SPARK fits you if your activity is trading, e-commerce, consultancy, software or research-led, if one to five activities cover your model, and if you can operate from a flexi-desk or co-working space. It fits especially well if you want access to the park’s ecosystem, including the SRTIP SPARK accelerator, the SAIA accelerator, SoiLAB prototyping and its research facilities. E-commerce founders should also read my take on SRTIP for e-commerce.
It does not fit if your activity is restricted to the park and you need to operate elsewhere, if you need a large warehouse, or if your core activity depends on a Dubai or financial free zone regulator. For residency planning once your activity is settled, see the SPARK free zone visa guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many SPARK free zone business activities are there?
SRTIP markets over 1,500 approved activities. The updated SPARK activity list I reviewed contains 966 active codes: 539 commercial, 423 services and 4 industrial. Confirm your exact activity code with SPARK before you apply.
Can I add more than one activity to a SPARK licence?
Yes. SRTIP’s official page lists packages with up to five activities, starting from AED 5,500 for the zero-visa package. Every activity you add should match something you will actually invoice for.
Is General Trading available in SPARK free zone?
Yes. General Trading is on the SPARK activity list as a Standard commercial activity with AED 20,000 listed share capital and no third-party approval listed.
Which SPARK activities need approval before licensing?
25 activities need third-party approval before licensing. 24 are aviation activities that need the General Civil Aviation Authority, and the other is Pharmacy, which needs the health authority.
What is the minimum share capital for SPARK free zone activities?
Most SPARK activities list AED 20,000 as minimum share capital. 22 activities, including Restaurant, Super Market, Business Center, Pharmacy and Distributed Ledger Technology Services, list AED 150,000.
Can I do e-commerce in SPARK free zone?
Yes. SPARK lists E-Commerce Through Websites and E-Commerce Through Social Media as commercial activities with AED 20,000 listed share capital. Both list a Ministry of Economy approval after licensing.
Do I need a physical office for SPARK free zone business activities?
Usually not. 936 of the 966 activities can operate from any facility type, including a flexi-desk. About two dozen, such as retail food, representative offices and manufacturing, need a specific facility.
Is SRTIP free zone the same as SPARK free zone?
Yes, in practice. SRTIP, the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, is the free zone authority, and SPARK is the name under which it now markets its free zone licences.