Business Setup in SHAMS Free Zone
Sharjah Media City (Shams) is the country’s leading free zone, especially regarding cost-effectiveness and ease of business. Since 2017, it has been dedicated to innovation, strategic growth, and uplifting the economy. Shams appreciates creative entrepreneurs and welcomes business owners and investors worldwide.
Here’s what makes Shams truly special:
- Offers a dedicated ecosystem for media, creative, and tech businesses. On top, there’s specialized infrastructure and networking opportunities.
- Provides one of the most affordable business setups in the UAE. Has low-cost packages and flexible installment options.
- Allows 100% remote business setup. Enables entrepreneurs to register and manage their companies online without a physical presence.
Company setup in Sharjah Media City Free Zone requires a streamlined process. You have to acquire a business license, fill in the operational plans, apply for visas, etc. It is best to understand it inside out before you go on to start the process.
If you’re a businessman, investor, or entrepreneur trying to understand Shams and look forward to company formation here, this guide walks you through everything you should forming a company in Shams.
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Shams Free Zone License Types
If you’re a service provider of any kind, this one is for you. Service-providing businesses can shape, reshape, or package their services under the jurisdiction of this license.
Common businesses that need this license include advertising agencies, schools, hospitals, repair shops, and online content creators.
Are you into trade, import-export, product sale, or any business of such kind? This license is for you. Any business in the trade sector needs it to legalize their operations.
Electronics stores, clothing retailers, food suppliers, car parts dealers, and beauty product sellers are some examples of businesses that use this license.
This one is for you if you have a business, company, or factory that engages in any industrial activity involving manufacturing, product design, raw materials, etc.
Clothing factories, food processing plants, car manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and furniture makers are examples of businesses that use this license.
A holding license is for companies that own assets or shares in other businesses. It does not allow direct trading or service activities but is used for managing investments and controlling other companies.
Businesses such as investment firms, real estate companies, family-owned enterprises, and corporations with shares in multiple industries need this license.
E-commerce is the most trending form of business nowadays. You require a license for e-commerce in this zone. It legalizes your business and lets you enjoy support from authorities.
If you have an online store, an e-commerce page, a drop-shipping setup, amazon or Shopify setup, you require this license.
This allows you to market yourself and your skills as a freelance agent providing your services to potential clients. It’s perfect for individuals who don’t want to join or engage in company registration.
Freelancers from graphic designing, content marketing, content writing, and web developing sectors benefit a lot from this permit.
Top Selling SHAMS
Promotions
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 11,900.00
Save up to AED 1,785.00
- Trade License
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 17,900.00
Save up to AED 2,685.00
- Trade License
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 21,900.00
Save up to AED 3,285.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 25,400.00
Save up to AED 3,810.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 23,900.00
Save up to AED 3,585.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 27,400.00
Save up to AED 4,110.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 25,900.00
Save up to AED 3,885.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 29,400.00
Save up to AED 4,410.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 27,900.00
Save up to AED 4,185.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 31,400.00
Save up to AED 4,710.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 29,900.00
Save up to AED 4,485.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 33,400.00
Save up to AED 5,010.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 21,900.00
Save up to AED 3,285.00
- Trade License
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 27,900.00
Save up to AED 4,185.00
- Trade License
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 31,900.00
Save up to AED 4,785.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 35,400.00
Save up to AED 5,310.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 33,900.00
Save up to AED 5,085.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 37,400.00
Save up to AED 5,610.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 35,900.00
Save up to AED 5,385.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 39,400.00
Save up to AED 5,910.00
Executive Contains
Business Incorporation Starter Pack
- 1 Free Visa Processing for Employee from A to Z
- OR
- 1 Free Visa Processing for Dependents from A to Z
- Health Insurance Assistance
- VAT Registration – One Time Only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP assistance for visa application and Company incorporation
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 37,900.00
Save up to AED 5,685.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 41,400.00
Save up to AED 6,210.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Basic
STARTING FROM
AED 39,900.00
Save up to AED 5,985.00
- Trade License
- 2 Free Visas for Life
- Official Company Stamp
- Expiry Reminder Services
- Brand Identity (Logo/Letterhead/Business Card Design)
- Bank Account Opening Assistance (UAE)
- Free IBG Fee on 1st Renewal
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Investor Visa
- Door-to-door document delivery (within Dubai)
- VAT & Accounting and Bookkeeping Consultation
Executive
STARTING FROM
AED 43,400.00
Save up to AED 6,510.00
- Everything from Elite Plus
- Free IBG Fee on 1 Employee Visa OR Free IBG Fee on 1 Dependent Visa
- VAT Registration – One time only
- Email Setup Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- VIP Assistance for Company Incorporation & 3 visa applications
Process and Timeline
- 1Should be 18 years old and above
- 2Should not have any criminal records
- 3The business should be legally permissible
- 4Should be an individual, corporate or mixed of both
Required Documents
- Passport copy
- Visa copy (if applicable)
- Emirates ID (if applicable)
- Passport-size photo
- Business activity details
- Trade name options
- Proof of address
- Payment receipt
License Package Fees
Standard License – Zero Visa Package
Starts from
AED 11,900
Standard License – With Visa Package
Starts from
AED 17,900
Immigration Fees
Establishment Card – New
AED 2,000
Establishment Card – Renewal
AED 2,200
Visa Application Fees
Residence Visa – 3 years
AED 3,750
Additional AED 1,000 on the visa fee if applying for an Investor/Partner Visa and an AED 48,000 share capital is required.
Change Status
AED 1,600
Applicable if within the UAE application only.
Medical Test
Normal (48 hours) – AED 450
VIP (within 24 hrs) – AED 750
Emirates ID – 3 years
AED 375
Company Registration
Trade Name Approval
1 business day
Shareholder’s Security Approval
5-7 business days
Trade License Issuance
3-4 business days
Establishment Card Application
1 business day
Establishment Card Issuance
5-7 business daysResidence Visa Application
Electronic Visa Application
5-7 business daysClient Arrival (if outside the UAE) | Change Status (if within the UAE)
Depends on the client | 2-3 business daysMedical Test
1 business dayMedical Test Result Release
Normal - 2 business days | VIP - within the dayEmirates ID Typing
1 business day
Obtaining Health Insurance
Depends on the client | Mandatory if applying in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Visa Approval
5-7 business days
Emirates ID Biometrics & Photo Capturing
Approx. 15-20 business days from the date of Emirates ID typing
Emirates ID Issuance
5 business daysSteps to Set up Your Business in SHAMS Free Zone
There are dozens of approved business activities you can choose from. Plan your goals and choose the activities according to them. it is important to have an initial plan and rough idea of how your business should look like.
Think of a name you want to register for your company. The name must be unique and shouldn’t contradict the laws and norms of the society. It is beneficial to choose niche-specific names.
Based on your visa requirements and budget, select a license package. It initially depends on your business goals, activities, and budget that’ll determine what package is best for you.
Gather the necessary company documents and submit them along with the business setup application to open a setup in Shams. Ensure the documents are correct and valid or it may cause needless delays.
Pay the required licensing and registration fees. The amount depends on several factors including your business operations, size, visa requirements, etc. Shams Free Zone offers cost-effective packages generally.
Once your application is approved, you will receive the license from the free zone authority. You are now legally allowed to start your free zone company operations. Spend some Budget on marketing to help you grow in the market.
Benefits of Shams Free Zone Business Setup
Media-focused ecosystem
Low-cost business setup
100% online registration
No physical office needed
Flexible license options
Fast company formation
Full foreign ownership
No currency restrictions
Access to UAE markets
Startup-friendly packages
Service Highlights for Shams Business Setup
Residence Visa
Shams offers unlimited resident visas for companies, allowing business owners and employees to live and work in the UAE. Essential for long-term operations. Visa validity is 2 years and you can update anytime.
Office Space Options
Shams provides you with diverse office space options. It is perfect for a wide range of business owners as different types suit different people. The best options in trend are private offices, dedicated offices, flexi desks, etc.
Perfect Location
Shams is 15 minutes from Sharjah International Airport, 20-30 minutes from Dubai International Airport, and 10 minutes away from Expo Centre Sharjah. It has a perfect location in the emirate of Sharjah.
Shams Free Zone Company Structures
LLC (Individual Ownership)
Features: A Limited Liability Company generally limits personal liability to the amount of capital invested in the company. This type is for solo owners.
Perfect For: Solo entrepreneurs & freelancers, small business owners, consultants, e-commerce businesses, etc.
LLC (Multiple Shareholders)
Features: If you have multiple shareholders, this type is for you. Generally, this structure limits liability to the amount of capital investment in the company.
Perfect For: Business partnerships, startups with co-founders, SMEs with investors, Family businesses, etc.
Branch Office
Features: This structure allows established local or foreign brands/businesses to have a branch office for representation in Shams.
Perfect For: Foreign companies expanding, Dubai businesses opening in Shams, media-focused companies, etc.
Need Help to Set up a company in Shams?
What's the best practice? Hire a professional consultancy firm to help you establish a business set-up in Shams. It'll save you a lot of effort and money. On top of that, it saves you from any delays and ensures a fast-tracked process, even helping you plan your business operations. Feels like something you need? Contact IBG Consultancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete a company formation process in Shams Free Zone?
The process is quick and can typically be completed within a few days, depending on document and trade license approval.
Can I run multiple business activities under a single license in Shams?
Yes, Shams Free Zone lets businesses operate a wide range of business activities under one license, making it highly flexible.
Is a physical office required for company formation in Sharjah Media City?
No, Shams provides options like flexi desks and virtual offices, so you don’t need a dedicated physical space.
What makes Shams one of the cheapest free zones in the UAE?
Shams Free Zone offers a variety of attractive business license packages at the lowest cost, making it budget-friendly for startups.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Shams Freezone?
Yes, foreign investors can fully own a Shams Free Zone company formation without needing a local partner.
How close is Shams to key locations like airports?
Shams is 5 minutes from Sharjah International Airport, 15 minutes from Dubai International, and 30 minutes from major business hubs.
What types of businesses can operate within Shams Free Zone?
Shams Freezone Authority allows businesses in media, e-commerce, trading, consultancy, and many other sectors.
Does Shams Free Zone provide visas for employees and business owners?
Yes, Shams Free Zone issues residence visas for business owners and employees, making relocation easier.
What are the benefits of forming a company in Sharjah Media City compared to other free zones?
Shams provides some of the lowest license packages, flexible workspace options, and 100% foreign ownership, making it ideal for new businesses.
How can I get a media license from the Sharjah Media Free Zone?
You can apply online through Shams Free Zone Authority by selecting a digital company license package tailored for media businesses.
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