SHAMS (Sharjah Media City)
Among the UAE's cheapest, fastest and most startup-friendly zones.
Overview
SHAMS is a Sharjah free zone launched in 2017, widely known as one of the most affordable and startup-friendly zones in the UAE. Despite the 'Media City' name, it supports a broad range of activities well beyond media, making it popular with freelancers, creatives, consultants, e-commerce sellers and small trading businesses.
Key benefits
- Very low entry cost — among the cheapest licenses in the UAE
- 100% foreign ownership; 0% personal income tax; full repatriation
- Multiple business activities under one license, even across sectors
- Fully remote setup — no physical presence required
- 24-hour company registration
- Simple online renewals with no mandatory audit report
Business activities & licenses
SHAMS supports a range of license types and activities, including:
- Service / professional
- Trading
- Media & creative
- IT & e-commerce
- Holding
Ownership & visas
100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor required.
Entry packages may be zero-visa; visa allocations are added via flexi-desk or office upgrades.
Cost & timeline
Indicative from ~AED 5,750–6,000 (zero-visa, multiple activities). Bundled with a visa/office commonly ~AED 15,000.
Registration in as little as 24 hours; add visa processing time.
Prices are indicative starting points, not quotes. Government and free-zone fees change frequently — we confirm current, all-in figures before you commit.
Is SHAMS right for you?
Freelancers, solo founders, content creators, consultants and early-stage startups who want the lowest-possible-cost UAE license with fast, remote onboarding.
What makes SHAMS different
- Among the fastest and cheapest UAE free zones — 24-hour remote incorporation.
- Bundle several unrelated activities under one license.
Compare alternatives
How SHAMS compares
| Free zone | Emirate | License from* | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHAMS This page | Sharjah | AED 5,750/yr | Registration in as little as 24 hours; add visa processing time | Cheapest · Freelancers |
| IFZA → | Dubai | AED 12,900/yr | License in ~3–5 working days (fast-track available) | Consultants · E-commerce |
| Meydan → | Dubai | AED 12,500/yr | A few days to ~1 week (digital process) | Agencies · Consultants |
| RAKEZ → | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000/yr | Registration as fast as 1 day; full setup with visas ~1–3 weeks | Low budget · Industrial |
* Indicative license-only starting points for budgeting — not quotes. Compare all 17 zones
SHAMS — frequently asked questions
01How much does it cost to set up in SHAMS?＋
Indicative from ~AED 5,750–6,000 (zero-visa, multiple activities). Bundled with a visa/office commonly ~AED 15,000. These are indicative figures for budgeting — Incorporate Dubai will confirm current, all-in pricing for your activity and visa needs.
02Can I own 100% of my SHAMS company?＋
100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor required.
03How many visas can I get with SHAMS?＋
Entry packages may be zero-visa; visa allocations are added via flexi-desk or office upgrades.
04How long does SHAMS setup take?＋
Registration in as little as 24 hours; add visa processing time. Timelines depend on document readiness, visa processing and bank onboarding.
05Who is SHAMS best for?＋
Freelancers, solo founders, content creators, consultants and early-stage startups who want the lowest-possible-cost UAE license with fast, remote onboarding.