Dubai Free Zone

// Sharjah free zone

Sharjah Media City
SHAMS company setup.

SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) is one of the UAE's most affordable, entrepreneur-friendly free zones. It is built for media, freelance, e-commerce and consulting businesses, with fast registration and 2,000+ permitted activities.

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✓ 100% foreign ownership ✓ 0% personal income tax ✓ Promos passed on to you
SHAMS · Sharjah RATE
Indicative from
AED 5,750
≈ —
in rupees
AED 1 equals₹—
Ratefetching…
Time to license3–7 working days
StatusStandard free zone

01 At a glance

Sharjah Media City — the essentials.

Ownership
100% foreign
Cost
Among the lowest
Activities
2,000+ available
Setup
Fast, remote-friendly

02 Who it's for

Is SHAMS the right fit?

  • ✓Freelancers, media and creative professionals
  • ✓E-commerce and consulting businesses on a budget
  • ✓Founders wanting the lowest viable entry cost

03 What you get

Included with setup

  • ✓A low-cost UAE trade licence
  • ✓A wide range of activities under one licence
  • ✓Residence-visa eligibility per package
  • ✓A fast, largely remote setup

04 Cost & quote

What SHAMS setup costs.

Indicative starting point below. Your real number depends on visas, activity and office — tell us your details and we'll send a firm quote.

Indicative starting cost
AED 5,750
≈ —
Starting licence cost. Visas (~AED 3,500–5,500 each), a physical office, and your specific activity can raise this. We confirm the activity list and banking before you pay.
Promo Free zones run regular promotions, and we pass those discounts straight to you — your final quote is often lower than the figure above.
Official authority: shams.ae ↗
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05 FAQ

SHAMS setup — common questions.

How much does it cost to set up a company in Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)?
Indicative setup in SHAMS starts from around AED 5,750. Your final cost depends on the number of residence visas (roughly AED 3,500–5,500 each), whether you need a physical office, and your specific business activity. Free zones also run regular promotions, which we pass on — so your quote is often lower than the starting figure.
How long does SHAMS company formation take?
Licensing in SHAMS typically takes 3–7 working days. Adding residence visas and opening a corporate bank account can take a little longer.
Can I set up in SHAMS from India without travelling?
Yes — the SHAMS licence can usually be arranged remotely. If you take a UAE residence visa, a short visit is normally needed for medical testing and Emirates ID biometrics.
Is SHAMS a VAT designated zone?
SHAMS is a standard free zone rather than a VAT designated zone. This rarely matters for service businesses; if you trade physical goods we’ll advise whether a designated zone would suit you better.
Can I open a UAE bank account with a SHAMS licence?
Yes. A SHAMS licence makes you eligible to apply for a UAE corporate bank account. Approval depends on your activity, documents and profile — we point you to the banks that tend to open most smoothly for SHAMS companies.

06 Compare

Other zones to consider.

SAIF Zone
Sharjah
Designated

Trading, light manufacturing & logistics with airport access.

from AED 9,000View page →
HFZA
Sharjah
Designated

Industrial, petrochemical & maritime businesses; port & land.

from AED 9,000View page →
SPC Free Zone
Sharjah

Publishing, consulting & e-commerce; multiple activities, low cost.

from AED 6,000View page →

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