SHAMS Free Zone(Sharjah)
Sharjah Media City Freezone
(SHAMS)
Prices starting fromAED 5,750
SHAMS Free Zone (Sharjah Media City): Company Setup Guide 2026
SHAMS Free Zone — Sharjah Media City — is a UAE free zone built for media, creative and service businesses, and one of the cheapest ways to start a company in the UAE. Licenses start from AED 5,750, the process is 100% digital, and a company can be set up in 2–3 working days with up to 50 visas per license. You keep 100% foreign ownership and can combine up to 5 business activities under one license.
This guide covers SHAMS license costs for 2026, visa packages, license types, how SHAMS compares with SAIF, SPC and SRTIP, the setup steps and documents, and the current tax rules. A&A Associate is a registered SHAMS partner and handles the full company setup in Sharjah Media City end to end.
SHAMS Free Zone — Quick Facts 2026
| Emirate | Sharjah (about 30 minutes from Dubai) |
| Starting cost | From AED 5,750 — zero-visa license |
| Per-visa cost | AED 3,000–5,500 per visa (medical, Emirates ID, insurance extra) |
| Setup time | 2–3 working days, 100% online |
| Visa quota | Shared desk: small quota; office upgrades unlock up to 50 per license |
| Best for | Media, creators, consultants, digital services, low-cost UAE setup |
| Banking access | Medium — depends on activity, documents and shareholder profile |
| Renewal | Similar to license fee; promotional year-one prices may not repeat |
Reviewed July 2026 by A&A Associate, registered SHAMS partner. Figures are indicative — request an itemized quote before payment.
Should You Choose SHAMS Free Zone?
Choose SHAMS if…
- You run a media, creative, consulting or digital service business
- You want the lowest realistic UAE license cost with a fast, fully online setup
- You value an LLC name without the "FZ" suffix for client-facing credibility
- You need room to scale visas later without re-incorporating
Look elsewhere if…
- Your activity is regulated (finance, insurance, health) — different approvals apply
- You must invoice UAE mainland clients directly — consider Sharjah mainland
- You need heavy logistics or warehousing — SAIF Zone fits better
- Your bank file needs a stronger jurisdiction — we assess this before you pay
Is SHAMS Free Zone in Dubai?
No — SHAMS Free Zone is in Sharjah, the emirate next to Dubai, about 25–35 minutes from Dubai International Airport by car. Many investors search for "SHAMS Free Zone in Dubai" because they run their business from Dubai while holding a SHAMS license: that works fine for service, media and e-commerce activities, since a SHAMS company can serve clients across the UAE free zones market and internationally at a much lower license cost than Dubai free zones.
SHAMS Free Zone License Cost in 2026
| Package | Cost (2026, from) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-visa license | AED 5,750 | Trade license, up to 5 activities, shared desk |
| One-visa package | AED 13,000–14,000 | License, 1 visa quota, e-channel, establishment card |
| All-in with visa issued | AED 14,000–16,000 | Above + visa stamping, Emirates ID, medical |
| Multi-visa packages | Custom | Up to 50 visas per license, office upgrades |
Itemized cost breakdown
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Usually included in package? |
|---|---|---|
| License fee (up to 5 activities) | From AED 5,750 | Yes |
| Registration / incorporation | Often bundled year one | Package dependent |
| Establishment card + e-channel | AED 2,000–2,500 | Often separate |
| Investor/employee visa | AED 3,000–5,500 per visa | Separate |
| Medical + Emirates ID + insurance | AED 1,500–2,500 per person | Separate |
| Flexi desk / office upgrade | Package dependent | Shared desk usually included |
| Renewal (year 2+) | Similar to license fee | — |
What's included
- Trade license with up to 5 activities
- Registration and authority documentation
- Shared desk facility (package dependent)
What's NOT included
- Medical test, Emirates ID and health insurance
- Bank account approval (banks decide independently)
- Mainland trading permissions or customs codes
Renewals cost less than year one when name reservation and incorporation fees fall away, but confirm the renewal line in writing. Multi-year licenses (1–10 years) reduce the annual cost further. Ask us for a same-day itemized quote for your activity and visa count.
Why SHAMSWhat Makes SHAMS Free Zone Different?
Four things separate SHAMS from other UAE free zones. You can register an LLC without the "FZ" suffix — your company name reads like a mainland company, which helps with international clients and banks. You can combine up to 5 activities on one license, mixing media, e-commerce and consultancy. The process is fully digital — application, payment and license issuance happen online, usually within 2–3 working days. And it is one of the lowest-cost licenses in the UAE, with visa quotas that scale to 50 without renting a big office.
SHAMS license types
| License type | Covers | Typical businesses |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Consulting and professional services | Marketing agencies, IT, consultants, freelancers |
| Trading | Buying and selling goods | E-commerce, general trading |
| Media | Content, production, publishing | Studios, influencers, production houses |
| Industrial | Light manufacturing | Packaging, assembly |
| Holding | Owning shares and assets | Holding companies, investors |
SHAMS vs SAIF vs SPC vs SRTIP: Which Sharjah Free Zone Fits?
| SHAMS | SAIF Zone | SPC | SRTIP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License from | AED 5,750 | AED 12,000+ | AED 4,999 | AED 7,500+ |
| Best for | Media, creative, services | Logistics, trading, airfreight | Publishing, e-commerce | Tech, R&D |
| Setup speed | 2–3 days, fully online | 3–7 days | Same-day possible | 3–7 days |
| Signature feature | LLC without FZ suffix | On-airport location | Instant license | Labs + university talent |
Deep dives: SAIF Zone, SPC Free Zone, SRTIP Free Zone — or compare every option on our business setup in Sharjah free zone hub and the UAE free zone comparison tool. Need mainland instead? See business setup in Sharjah.
Simple processHow to Set Up a Company in SHAMS Free Zone — 5 Steps
- Choose activities and license typePick up to 5 activities from the SHAMS list. We map your business model to the right combination so you avoid amendment fees later.
- Reserve the trade nameSubmit three name options. SHAMS allows the LLC suffix without "FZ" — worth using for international-facing brands.
- Submit KYC documents onlinePassport copy, photo, and address details for each shareholder. The process is fully digital — no visit required for the license.
- Receive your licenseSHAMS typically issues the license in 2–3 working days after payment. E-channel and establishment card follow for visa processing.
- Process visas and open the bank accountVisa stamping, Emirates ID and medical take about a week. We prepare the bank compliance file and introduce you to banks that fit your profile.
Documents Required for SHAMS Company Formation
For each shareholder and director: a passport copy (valid 6+ months), a passport-size photo, and contact/address details. Corporate shareholders add their certificate of incorporation, MOA and a board resolution approving the new company. No physical presence is needed for licensing; banks may ask for one meeting during account opening. There is no minimum share capital requirement to pay up front.
2026 rulesTax and Compliance for SHAMS Companies
SHAMS companies fall within UAE corporate tax scope like every free zone entity. A qualifying free zone person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on other taxable income above AED 375,000 — most purely international or intra-free-zone business keeps the 0% rate, but each setup needs a quick assessment. VAT registration applies once UAE taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 per year. Economic Substance Regulations were cancelled for financial years ending after 31 December 2022 (Cabinet Decision No. 98 of 2024), so no ESR filings are due. Keep accounting records; corporate tax registration with the FTA is mandatory even at 0%.
How Hard Is Bank Account Opening for a SHAMS Company?
Medium difficulty — easier than offshore structures, and manageable with the right preparation. UAE banks review your business activity, shareholder profile, contracts or invoices, website, source of funds and expected transaction flow. No free zone can guarantee approval. Digital-first banks like Wio typically decide within days for clean service businesses; traditional banks take 2–4 weeks. We prepare the compliance file with your application and match you to banks that accept your activity — realistic preparation, not promises.
Common questionsSHAMS Free Zone FAQs
What is SHAMS Free Zone?
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) is a UAE free zone established under Emiri Decree No. 10 of 2016 and operational since 2017. It licenses media, creative, service, trading and holding companies with 100% foreign ownership, and is among the lowest-cost free zones in the UAE.
How much does a SHAMS license cost in 2026?
Zero-visa licenses start from AED 5,750. A one-visa package runs around AED 13,000–14,000, and a complete setup with visa stamping typically totals AED 14,000–16,000 depending on activity and add-ons.
Is SHAMS Free Zone in Dubai or Sharjah?
SHAMS is in Sharjah, about 30 minutes from Dubai. Many owners live in Dubai and operate through a SHAMS license because service and media activities don't depend on the license's home emirate.
How many visas can I get with a SHAMS license?
SHAMS allows up to 50 visas per license depending on your package and facility. Shared-desk packages start with smaller quotas; office upgrades unlock more.
Is there a minimum share capital for SHAMS?
No paid-up capital deposit is required. You declare a nominal share capital in the incorporation documents without blocking funds in a bank.
Does a SHAMS company pay corporate tax?
SHAMS companies register for UAE corporate tax like all free zone entities. Qualifying free zone persons pay 0% on qualifying income; other taxable profits above AED 375,000 are taxed at 9%. Most internationally-focused SHAMS companies retain the 0% rate after a compliance check.
How long does SHAMS company setup take?
The license is typically issued in 2–3 working days after documents and payment. Visas add about a week; bank account opening takes 1–4 weeks depending on the bank.
Start Your SHAMS Company in 2–3 Days
Free consultation with a registered SHAMS partner — license, visas, bank account and tax registration handled end to end.