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. It no longer publishes package prices — its Standard and Media packages (LLC licence, up to 5 activities, flexi-desk and lease agreement included, no NOC required) are quoted on enquiry. 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
Quote-based
quote-based — Shams no longer publishes package prices; its packages page lists contents only (LLC licence, up to 5 activities, flexi-desk and lease included) and pricing comes via enquiry or its cost calculator. Confirm in a written quote
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?
- Historically one of the UAE's lowest-cost entry points — current package prices are quote-based (no published rate card).
- 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)
Shams packages are quoted on enquiry — its packages page lists contents only
Quote-based
Licence + flexi-desk + 1 visa package
Typical working setup for a single founder; bundled price.
≈ AED 11,000–13,500 (market-reported)
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?+
Shams no longer publishes package prices — its Standard and Media packages are quoted on enquiry, typically with a flexi-desk and lease agreement included. Once the visa, e-channel, medical and Emirates ID steps are added, a realistic working setup lands well above any licence-only figure, so treat any quoted 'from' price as a starting point and get the full itemised total in writing.
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.
Compare with other free zones
Shams vs IFZA
Quote-based
Consultants, freelancers, service firms, marketing/IT agencies, holding companies and traders who want an affordable Dubai free zone with flexible visa numbers and a wide activity list. Ideal for solo founders and small teams who do not need a physical mainland storefront.
Shams vs Meydan
from AED 12,500
E-commerce sellers, freelancers, consultants, agencies, small service businesses and holding companies that want a credible Dubai address, a low starting cost and a quick online setup, while keeping their visa needs modest (up to three on a flexi-desk).
Shams vs DMCC
from AED 35,484
Commodities and trading houses (gold, diamonds, metals, energy, agri), crypto/Web3 and blockchain founders, fintech, established SMEs and serious entrepreneurs who want a prestige Dubai address, a credible ecosystem and smoother banking. Ideal when reputation, sector clustering and a physical presence in central Dubai matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
Shams vs RAKEZ
from AED 6,000
Cost-conscious SMEs, traders, freelancers and consultants, e-commerce sellers, and especially industrial or manufacturing businesses needing warehouses or land. A common pick for Dubai-based founders who want a cheaper free zone licence and don't need a Dubai address on the trade licence.
Shams vs DAFZA
Quote-based
Aviation, freight forwarding, logistics, electronics, pharma, luxury goods and trading companies that need physical airport proximity, a prestige Dubai address, and an office or warehouse on-site. Suits funded businesses that value reputation over the lowest possible cost.
Shams vs JAFZA
from AED 5,000
Import-export and trading houses, distribution and re-export businesses, logistics and freight-forwarding firms, manufacturers and light-industrial operations, and regional headquarters serving Asia, Africa and Europe. Ideal for companies that physically move, store or process goods and want to sit on top of Jebel Ali Port with bonded warehousing and on-site customs.
Shams vs DIFC
from AED 5,500
Financial-services firms, fintech and Web3 startups, investment managers, funds, family offices, holding companies, and international law, advisory and insurance firms that need a credible common-law jurisdiction, DFSA standing and access to capital. The DIFC Innovation Hub specifically suits early-stage, non-regulated tech and fintech founders who want the DIFC address and ecosystem at a subsidised price.
Shams vs ADGM
from AED 5,509
Financial-services firms, asset and fund managers, VCs and fintechs regulated by the FSRA; holding companies, SPVs, family offices and foundations; and Hub71-eligible tech start-ups. The right pick when a common-law jurisdiction, a credible financial-centre address and Abu Dhabi's capital ecosystem matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
Shams vs Dubai South
from AED 12,500
Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. Also a practical government-run package option (Business Hub) for SMEs and startups that want a published-price Dubai licence with same-day issuance.
Shams vs SPC
from AED 5,750
Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub.
Shams vs UAQ FTZ
from AED 5,500
Online sellers, dropshippers and solo founders who want the cheapest credible published package in the UAE (UAQ LYTE at AED 5,500); founders who need licence-plus-visa in one transparent bundle (UAQ START at AED 12,500); and light-industrial, trading and logistics businesses using its warehouses, land and UAQ Port.
Shams vs Innovation City
from AED 6,600
AI, Web3/blockchain, gaming, robotics and healthtech founders who want a specialist tech free zone with published package pricing; DAOs and token projects needing the UAE's dedicated DAO Association Regulations; and digital-asset businesses that value an ecosystem with crypto-experienced banking and infrastructure partners.
Shams vs Ajman FZ
from AED 5,555
Online sellers and e-commerce founders who want the one AFZ package with a published price, freelancers using the 40-category Sole Professional licence, and cost-sensitive traders and light-industrial businesses already looking at the northern emirates who are willing to request a written quote rather than compare a published rate card.