SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) Company Setup in Sharjah
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City Free Zone) is one of the UAE's most affordable free zones, popular with media, e-commerce and freelance businesses. Bizstart handles your SHAMS setup end to end: licence, visas and bank account.
A SHAMS company gives you 100% foreign ownership from a Sharjah address, with all-in packages from AED 8,325 for a zero-visa licence, government fees from AED 5,750, and issuance typically within 1 to 7 working days.
- 100% foreign ownership
- Licence from AED 5,750
- All-in from AED 8,325
- 0% tax on qualifying income
Get a SHAMS Quote
What Is SHAMS?
SHAMS, the Sharjah Media City Free Zone, is a Sharjah free zone focused on media, e-commerce and creative activities that licences companies with 100% foreign ownership and all-in packages from AED 8,325 for a zero-visa licence.
SHAMS sits under the Sharjah government and carries a Sharjah address, which is the main reason its fees are lower than Dubai zones such as IFZA, DMCC and Meydan. The zone is popular with content creators, digital marketers, consultants and online sellers who want a legitimate UAE trade licence at the lowest entry cost.
According to the Sharjah government, SHAMS was established in 2017 to serve the media and creative economy. The zone now covers a broad activity list that extends beyond media into general trading, consultancy and professional services.
SHAMS operates under the Sharjah government, not Dubai, which is why its licence carries a Sharjah address. The Sharjah address is the trade-off for the lower cost: Dubai-address zones such as IFZA Free Zone Company Setup in Dubai start at AED 12,500 all-in, roughly double the SHAMS entry price.
Explore SHAMS Company Setup
The SHAMS setup topic breaks into the six areas below. Each links to a full guide on that part of the process.
SHAMS Cost
The full fee breakdown by visa quota, all-in and licence-only.
SHAMS cost breakdown →SHAMS Visas
How visa quotas work and how to add residence visas.
SHAMS visa guide →Renew SHAMS Licence
The renewal process, timeline, fees and common mistakes.
SHAMS renewal guide →Close a SHAMS Company
How to cancel your licence and the liquidation steps.
SHAMS closure guide →Convert to Mainland
How to move a SHAMS company to a mainland licence.
SHAMS conversion guide →SHAMS Regulations
Compliance rules, reporting and regulatory requirements.
SHAMS regulations →How Much Does SHAMS Cost?
A SHAMS licence costs from AED 8,325 all-in for a zero-visa package, or AED 5,750 for the government licence fee alone, rising to about AED 51,270 all-in at five visas. Government fees are always shown separately from the Bizstart service fee.
The table below shows the SHAMS all-in cost at each visa tier, covering the licence, establishment card and all per-visa government components.
SHAMS all-in cost by visa quota (AED)
| Visa quota | All-in total (AED) |
|---|---|
| 0 visa | 5,750 |
| 1 visa | 15,500 |
| 2 visas | 21,000 |
| 3 visas | 26,000 |
| 4 visas | 31,000 |
| 5 visas | 36,000 |
Indicative prices. Actual cost varies with government fees, your business activity and visa requirements — ask us for an exact quote.
The all-in figure bundles the licence, the establishment card and the per-visa government components (visa, change of status, medical and Emirates ID). Each extra visa adds roughly AED 7,000. The full breakdown by package sits on the SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) Licence Cost and Fees page.
Is SHAMS cheaper than IFZA?
Yes. SHAMS starts at AED 8,325 all-in against IFZA's AED 12,500, making it one of the cheapest free zones in the UAE. The trade-off is a Sharjah address rather than a Dubai address, which affects bank perception and client optics. Founders who need the lowest cost pick SHAMS; those who need a Dubai address and stronger banking pick IFZA Free Zone Company Setup in Dubai. Send your visa count on WhatsApp for an exact quote.
Why Choose SHAMS?
Founders choose SHAMS for the lowest all-in cost among major UAE free zones, a media-friendly activity list, remote registration and quick issuance, typically within a week.
SHAMS occupies the budget end of the UAE free zone market. It costs less than Dubai zones such as IFZA and DMCC, and less than fellow Sharjah zones SPC and SRTIP on the all-in line. The trade-off is a Sharjah address, which matters mainly at the banking stage, where Dubai-address companies face fewer compliance queries.
SHAMS suits e-commerce sellers, content creators, digital marketers and consultants because its activity list covers these sectors and its low entry cost keeps the barrier minimal for solo founders and freelancers. According to the UAE Free Zone Company Setup hub, SHAMS is one of 45+ free zones in the country.
Check My ActivitySHAMS (Sharjah Media City): Frequently Asked Questions
Where is SHAMS located?
SHAMS is located in Sharjah, the emirate neighbouring Dubai, and its licences carry a Sharjah address. The free zone was established in 2017 under the Sharjah government to serve the media and creative economy.
The Sharjah location is the main reason SHAMS costs less than Dubai zones: Sharjah government fees are lower. Founders who do not need a Dubai address on their licence save roughly AED 6,000 to AED 10,000 by choosing SHAMS over a Dubai-address zone such as IFZA.
How long does a SHAMS company take to set up?
A SHAMS company is typically licenced within 1 to 7 working days once the documents are submitted, and the entire application can be completed remotely with attested passport copies and a brief business plan.
The residence visa follows the licence and adds one to three weeks, since it involves an entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and stamping that require one visit to the UAE. Preparing documents before you apply keeps the licence at the fast end of the range.
Can I open a bank account with a SHAMS company?
Yes, SHAMS companies open UAE corporate bank accounts. Because SHAMS carries a Sharjah address, some banks apply additional compliance steps compared with Dubai-address zones, but a clear activity description and consistent expected transactions resolve most queries.
Bizstart prepares the bank file and introduces you to the bank most likely to approve your activity. Digital banks such as WIO and Mashreq Neo tend to have a smoother process for Sharjah-based free zone companies than traditional banks.
How many visas can a SHAMS licence hold?
A SHAMS licence holds from zero to six or more visas depending on the package, with the all-in cost rising as the visa quota increases, from AED 8,325 at zero visas to AED 51,270 at five visas.
A zero-visa package suits founders who already hold UAE residence or run the company remotely. You can start with a small quota and upgrade later, which is usually cheaper than over-buying visas on day one.
Is SHAMS a good free zone for freelancers?
Yes, SHAMS is one of the most popular free zones for freelancers because its licence cost starts at AED 5,750 in government fees and it covers a wide range of media, creative, consulting and professional activities under a single permit.
Freelancers who work remotely and do not need a physical office benefit from the SHAMS flexi-desk option, which keeps the overhead to the licence and visa fees alone. The zone's remote application process means freelancers can register without visiting the UAE until the visa stage.
Do UAE companies pay corporate tax?
According to the UAE Federal Tax Authority, UAE companies pay 9% corporate tax on annual taxable profit above AED 375,000 and 0% below, while free zone companies keep 0% on qualifying income and 9% on non-qualifying income.
Every company, including SHAMS free zone companies, registers for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority even when the expected tax is zero. According to the 2021 Commercial Companies Law, this sits alongside 100% foreign ownership for most activities, so tax and ownership work the same way whichever emirate or zone you choose.
Set Up Your SHAMS Company with Bizstart
One of the UAE's most affordable free zones, with government fees always shown separately from ours.
