Shams (Sharjah Media City) Free Zone Company Setup — Cost & Guide 2026
Low-cost Sharjah free zone for media and small founders
In short
Shams (Sharjah Media City) is a low-cost Sharjah free zone popular with media, creative, consultancy and small service businesses. A licence starts from around AED 5,750 (zero-visa); visa-inclusive packages start around AED 11,000 for one visa, and visa allocation is flexible based on your office solution. Best for budget-conscious founders and freelancers near Dubai. It is not in Dubai itself.
Licence from
AED 5,750
licence only, 0 visa, approx. — add flexi-desk and visa for a working setup
Emirate
Sharjah
Sharjah Media City, Sharjah (approx. 15 minutes from Dubai)
Visas
Package-based
Shams uses a flexible visa system rather than a fixed low cap. The number of visas you can sponsor is tied to your office or desk solution: a flexi-desk/shared-desk package typically supports a handful of visas, and larger offices unlock more. Many packages are sold as 0, 1, 2 or 3-visa bundles, and you can add visas later by upgrading your facility. Each visa still requires the establishment card, e-channel, medical and Emirates ID steps.
Activities
Wide range
You can combine up to 5 business activities under a single Shams licence, and they can span different sectors — for example media, e-commerce, IT, consultancy and general services. Some regulated or higher-risk activities need extra approvals or are excluded.
Why Shams?
- One of the lowest licence entry costs in the UAE — from around AED 5,750 for a zero-visa licence.
- Up to 5 business activities under one licence, including media, e-commerce, consultancy and services.
- 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor or local partner required.
- Flexi-desk bundled with most packages — a registered address that several UAE banks accept.
- Flexible visa allocation: scale visas with your office solution rather than a fixed low cap.
- Fast, mostly remote setup — a licence can be issued in roughly 1–2 working days once documents are in.
Best for
Budget-conscious founders, freelancers, media and creative professionals, consultants, and online or service businesses who want a cheap, credible UAE licence and don't need a Dubai address or to trade directly on the mainland.
Less ideal for
Founders who need a Dubai address for prestige or clients, businesses that must sell goods or services directly to the UAE mainland without a distributor, or activities requiring heavy regulatory approval (financial services, healthcare). Banks can also be slightly more cautious with cheaper Sharjah zones.
Shams setup cost
Approximate budgeting figures — your final quote is confirmed in writing. Government fees are passed through at cost, never marked up.
Trade licence (1 year, zero visa)
Cheapest media/e-commerce package; flexi-desk usually included.
AED 5,750 from
Licence + flexi-desk + 1 visa package
Typical working setup for a single founder; bundled price.
AED 11,000–13,500 from
Establishment / immigration card
Required once before issuing any residence visa.
AED 1,500–1,575
E-channel immigration registration
Often includes a refundable deposit (approx. AED 5,000).
AED 2,700–7,150
Residence visa (per person, 2 years)
Investor visa lower; employee visa higher; excludes medical/ID.
AED 2,200–3,700
Medical test + Emirates ID (per visa)
Medical approx. AED 365 + Emirates ID approx. AED 330–371.
AED 700–900
Flexi-desk (if charged separately / annual)
Usually bundled; standalone price in some packages.
AED 1,600–3,000
Corporate tax & VAT registration
FTA registration is free; 9% corporate tax applies above AED 375k profit; VAT only if turnover exceeds AED 375k.
Government: AED 0
How we set you up
- 1
Choose activities and licence type
Pick up to 5 activities (media, e-commerce, consultancy, services) and decide how many visas you need now.
- 2
Reserve the company name
Submit 2–3 name options for approval; names must follow UAE naming rules (no offensive or restricted terms).
- 3
Submit documents and get initial approval
Provide passport copies and basic KYC. Shams reviews and issues initial approval — mostly online.
- 4
Pay fees and receive the licence
Settle the package fee. The trade licence, flexi-desk lease and incorporation documents are issued — often in 1–2 working days.
- 5
Establishment card and e-channel
If you need visas, register the establishment/immigration card and e-channel to start visa processing.
- 6
Apply for residence visas
Complete entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and visa stamping for each person being sponsored.
- 7
Open a bank account and register for tax
Open a UAE business account, then register for corporate tax with the FTA (and VAT if turnover requires it).
Pros
- Very low entry cost — among the cheapest credible UAE free zone licences.
- Up to 5 activities and 100% foreign ownership under one licence.
- Flexible visa allocation that scales with your office solution.
- Fast, largely remote incorporation — often 1–2 working days.
- Flexi-desk address that several UAE banks accept for account opening.
- Close to Dubai (about 15 minutes) while paying Sharjah-level costs.
Things to weigh
- It's a Sharjah address, not Dubai — some clients and partners still prefer a Dubai licence.
- As a free zone, you cannot sell directly to the UAE mainland without a distributor or a separate mainland licence.
- Cheaper zones can face more bank scrutiny; account opening may take longer or need extra documents.
- Advertised "from" prices exclude visa, e-channel deposit, medical and Emirates ID — real total is higher.
- Shams no longer issues a separate freelancer permit — freelancers now use a standard company licence.
Shams or mainland?
A Shams free zone licence wins on cost and speed: it's far cheaper to start, gives 100% ownership, and is ideal for media, online and service businesses serving clients abroad or across the UAE through invoicing. A Dubai mainland licence wins when you need to trade directly with UAE customers, take government contracts, open a physical shop or office, or want a Dubai address for credibility. Many founders start on Shams and add a mainland licence later only when local trade demands it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Shams free zone licence cost in 2026?+
A zero-visa Shams licence starts from around AED 5,750, typically with a flexi-desk included. A realistic working setup with one visa, e-channel, medical and Emirates ID usually lands around AED 11,000–15,000 once all government steps are added. Treat advertised "from" prices as a starting point, not a final quote.
How many visas can I get with a Shams licence?+
Shams uses a flexible visa system tied to your office solution rather than a fixed cap. Flexi-desk and shared-desk packages support a small number of visas, and larger offices unlock more. Packages are commonly sold as 0, 1, 2 or 3-visa bundles, and you can add visas later by upgrading your facility.
Can I do business on the Dubai or UAE mainland with a Shams licence?+
Not directly. As a free zone company you can invoice clients across the UAE and abroad, but to sell goods or services directly to the mainland you generally need a local distributor or a separate mainland licence. For purely online, media or service work this is rarely a problem.
Do I need an office for a Shams company?+
No physical office is mandatory. Most Shams packages include a flexi-desk — a registered address with a lease that several UAE banks accept for account opening. You only need a larger physical office if your visa count or activity requires it.
How long does it take to set up a company in Shams?+
The licence itself is often issued in about 1–2 working days once your documents and payment are in. Adding residence visas takes longer — usually a couple of weeks for the establishment card, e-channel, medical, Emirates ID and stamping.
Can freelancers still get a Shams freelance permit?+
Shams no longer issues a separate freelancer permit. Freelancers now register a standard Shams company licence, which lets them work under their own brand and sponsor a residence visa. It costs a little more than an old freelance permit but is more flexible.
How many business activities can I add to one Shams licence?+
Up to 5 activities under a single licence, and they can span different sectors — for example media, e-commerce, IT, consultancy and general services. Some regulated activities need extra approval.
Is Shams in Dubai?+
No. Shams (Sharjah Media City) is in the emirate of Sharjah, roughly 15 minutes from Dubai. You get Sharjah-level pricing while staying close to Dubai, but the licence carries a Sharjah address, not a Dubai one.
Does a Shams company pay corporate tax?+
Like all UAE businesses, a Shams company must register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority. The 9% corporate tax applies on taxable profit above AED 375,000; qualifying free zone income can be 0% if conditions are met. VAT registration is only required if turnover exceeds AED 375,000. Registration with the FTA itself is free.
Why set up with ZETUP PRO
ZETUP is an independent advisor — we are not paid by Shams or any free zone, so we only recommend it when a low-cost Sharjah licence genuinely fits your business. We quote the full real cost up front, including visa, e-channel deposit, medical and Emirates ID, with no hidden mark-up, and we handle the licence, visas, bank account introduction and corporate tax registration end to end. Not sure if Shams or a Dubai zone is right for you? Message us on WhatsApp for a free PRO Health Check.
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