Free Zone Company Fo...
Free Zone Company Formation
Set up your company in Shams Free Zone (Sharjah Media City) starting from AED 5,750. Benefits include 100% foreign ownership, fully remote setup, and up to 6 visas.
Shams Free Zone is Sharjah's answer to the UAE's growing demand for a business home that is fast, affordable, and built for the modern founder. Established in 2017, it operates entirely online.
Despite the name Sharjah Media City, Shams is not limited to media. Consultants, traders, tech startups, and e-commerce brands all register here, often combining multiple activities under a single license.
What sets Shams apart is its price-to-value ratio. It offers 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation at one of the lowest entry costs in the UAE.
Over 6,000 companies from 160+ countries have set up here without ever stepping foot in the UAE. For international founders, it remains one of the most practical, low-friction routes into the Emirates.
Shams delivers on its promise of speed and affordability with a digital-first setup process that most UAE free zones cannot match at this price point.
Your registration delivers more than a license number. Here is what you receive from day one, and why each element matters for running a real business.
Three name options submitted and approved against UAE naming rules. Your company identity is locked in before anything else moves forward.
The legal document authorising your chosen activities. Required for opening a bank account, signing contracts, and processing visas.
Confirms your visa quota and unlocks residency applications. Issued within 3 to 5 working days of license approval.
Records ownership structure, share split, and permitted activities. Drafted, signed, and stamped as part of registration.
Formal proof your company exists as a UAE legal entity. Banks, government bodies, and international partners will ask for this.
Every license includes a UAE address. Use it for correspondence, banking, and client-facing documents from day one.
Shared workspace within the free zone at no extra cost on standard packages. Upgrade to a dedicated or executive office when you need it.
Your license entitles you to apply for investor or employee visas. Quota depends on your package tier and facility type.
Shams is not a single-lane free zone. It supports a wide range of business activities across six distinct license categories, making it one of the most versatile options in the UAE. Choose the license type that matches what your business actually does, and remember that multiple activities can sit under a single Shams license.
Shams is one of the UAE's most affordable free zones. Your total depends on visa quota, facility type, and license duration. Figures below are indicative for 2025 and 2026.
From AED 5,750
License and registration with no visa quota. Ideal for founders who already hold UAE residency or are not immediately seeking a visa through Shams.
From AED 8,475
The most popular Shams tier. Includes license, registration, and one to two investor visa allocations. Chosen by most solo founders and first-time UAE entrants.
AED 13,000 to AED 25,000+
For founders building a team or sponsoring family. Shared desk allows up to 6 visas, making this one of the most cost-effective multi-visa setups in the UAE.
Each visa adds government fees, medical testing, and Emirates ID costs
Shared desk starts from AED 5,000 per year; dedicated offices cost more
2, 3, and 5-year packages lock in current fees and cut renewal admin
Regulated activities may require extra approvals and authority fees
Additional shareholders may require extra documentation and amendment fees
Name, activity, or shareholding amendments carry authority fees
All figures are indicative estimates based on current market information and are subject to change by the Shams Free Zone Authority. RIZ & MONA Consultancy provides a personalised, itemised quote for every client before any commitment is made.
Shams was designed as a digital-first authority. The registration process is streamlined, fully online, and can typically be completed within 2 to 5 working days once all documents are submitted. Here is how the process works from start to finish.
Decide which activities your company will operate under. Shams allows multiple activities on a single license, so it is worth mapping out your full business model rather than registering just one activity now and amending it later. This saves on future amendment fees.
Choose the license category that best matches your activities — service, trading, media, e-commerce, industrial, holding, or freelancer permit. Then select your package tier based on how many visas you will need and whether you require a flexi-desk or dedicated office.
Provide three proposed company names via the Shams registration portal. The authority checks each against UAE naming guidelines. Names must not reference political entities, religions, or any offensive terminology. Approval is typically returned within 1 working day.
Upload your passport copies, passport-size photographs, and any required supporting documents through the Shams portal. No physical attendance is required at this stage. The authority reviews the application and issues initial approval.
Once initial approval is received, sign the Memorandum of Association and your facility agreement. Payment is processed through the portal. No minimum share capital deposit is required.
Your trade license and Certificate of Incorporation are issued digitally. The establishment card, which confirms your visa quota, follows within 3 to 5 working days.
With your establishment card in hand, begin the UAE residency visa process. If you are outside the UAE, an entry permit is issued first. Banking introductions can run in parallel, with most applications submitted once the license is active.
Document preparation is the step that either speeds up or delays your company formation. Getting it right before submission keeps the process on track from day one.
Documents issued outside the UAE must typically be notarised in the country of origin and then attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in that country. Some jurisdictions require additional Apostille certification depending on bilateral agreements with the UAE. RIZ & MONA Consultancy guides clients through the exact attestation route required for their specific nationality and documents.
Your Shams license entitles you to sponsor visas for yourself, your team, and your family. Quota depends on your package and facility type.
The shared desk arrangement at Shams supports up to 6 visa allocations, one of the more generous quotas among budget-oriented free zones in the UAE.
All visas issued through a Shams company are valid for 2 years and renewable. A physical visit to the UAE is required for medical testing, biometrics, and Emirates ID collection.
Visa approvals are decided by UAE immigration authorities. Applicants must enter the UAE within 60 days of entry permit issuance.
Banking is a separate process from company registration. Shams is well-recognised among UAE banks, but approval depends on your business profile, documentation, and the bank you apply to.
Podcast studio, filming locations, and influencer rooms on the Shams campus. Available to all registered companies.
Annual award for outstanding digital, visual, and media content. A direct route to visibility within the UAE.
Year-round events including Creative Fest, stand-up nights, and e-gaming. Connects businesses with creators and clients.
Structured development support for filmmakers and storytellers from concept to script. No other UAE free zone runs this.
Launched April 2026 for UAE nationals. Individual media licence at AED 5,760 for five years with simplified procedures.
Shams connects registered talent with industry experts through structured training programmes and professional networks.
Two free zones compete directly with SHAMS for the same creative and digital founder. Here is an honest side-by-side so you can pick the right one.
Not Sure Which Free Zone Is Right for You?
RIZ & MONA Consultancy compares your options at no cost and recommends the zone that gives you the best combination of price, visa access, and long-term fit.
From license selection to visa stamping and bank account opening, we handle the full SHAMS setup process. One team, one quote, no hidden costs.