SHAMS
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)
One of the most cost-effective licences in the country. Popular with freelancers, content businesses and founders testing an idea before committing capital.
At a glance
- Emirate
- Sharjah
- Authority
- Sharjah Media City Authority
- Sector
- Media, content and low-cost general licensing.
- Facilities
- Virtual and shared desks
- Visa quota
- Package dependent
- Licence cost
- Quoted on activity
Who it suits
- Media and content
- Freelancers and solo consultants
- E-commerce
- Small service businesses
What it does well
- Among the lowest entry costs in the UAE
- Fast issuance
- Broad media and service activity list
Worth knowing before you commit
A Sharjah address. Some Dubai banks and landlords treat it differently from a Dubai zone — tell us if banking is critical.
How we set it up
- Confirm the activity. We check your exact activity is on SHAMS's schedule before anything is paid. This is where most setups go wrong.
- Name reservation and initial approval. Three trade name options, submitted in order of preference.
- Documentation. Passport copies, photographs, the application set and shareholder resolutions where there is a corporate shareholder.
- Licence issuance. Licence, certificate of incorporation, share certificate and memorandum.
- Establishment card and visas. Immigration file opened, then entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping for each person.
- Bank account. We prepare the file and introduce you. Approval is the bank's decision, not ours, and we will tell you honestly how your case looks.
Enquire about SHAMS
Leave your details and we will send a written quote for SHAMS, including visa costs for the headcount you need.
Free Zone Questions We Get Asked
Can a free zone company sell inside the UAE?
Not directly to the onshore market. It imports and re-exports freely, but selling to UAE customers needs a mainland distributor, a mainland branch, or customs duty paid through an agent.
Does the office have to be inside the zone?
Yes. The registered office must sit within the zone that issued the licence.
How many visas will I get?
It depends on the package and the facility you take. A flexi-desk typically carries one to three. A real office scales from there, so decide headcount before the package is issued.
Can I move to a different free zone later?
You can, but it is a new incorporation rather than a transfer in most cases — new licence, new immigration file, visas reissued. Worth getting right the first time.
Which free zone is cheapest?
SHAMS, SPC, Ajman and UAQ sit at the low end. Cheapest is not always right: a Sharjah or Ajman address is treated differently by some Dubai banks and landlords, so tell us if banking matters.
Do I pay customs duty?
Not on goods that stay within the free zone or are re-exported. Duty applies when goods enter the UAE mainland market, currently at 5%.
Not Covered Above? Ask Us.
Send the question as you would ask it on the phone. One of the team answers it properly — not a template, and not a sales call dressed up as an answer.