SHAMS - Sharjah Media City Free Zone Company Formation

Company setup from 5,750 AED

Registration from 5 working days

Bank account Guaranteed

Residence visas for 2 years

Emirabiz experts’ opinion

Is SHAMS suitable for your business?

• Yes

• If you have a startup or have just moved to the Emirates and are looking for an inexpensive way to start a business, visa-free packages start from 5,750 AED.
• If you are interested in types of activities not only in media but also in other areas, as well as rare activities that are not available in other free zones. Business activities are designed as per the United Nations standard ISIC 4 (used in customs all over the world).
• If you need packages with multiple visas, in SHAMS you could have unlimited visa allocations with no offices required.
• If you want to live in Dubai but find it expensive to start a business in this emirate, SHAMS is a 30-minute drive from Dubai. You can register a company in SHAMS remotely, and all documentation is handled electronically. There is no need to visit the free zone in person.
• If you are only 19 years old, you can already open a company in SHAMS - the age requirement allows for it.

• No

• If you are a woman who wishes to sponsor her children herself, Sharjah is considered a more conservative emirate, so it may be more challenging for a woman with such requirements to register a business there. If this is the case you can have a look at company registration in Dubai as this emirate has a more flexible immigration system.
• If you have a large company involved in manufacturing that requires production facilities, land, and warehouses, it is preferable to choose free zones like Hamriyah Free Zone, Umm Al Quwain Free Zone, RAKEZ Free Zone or JAFZA Free Zone.

SHAMS company formation process

Company registration can be done remotely regardless of if you are in the UAE or abroad, your company can be registered in 3-5 working days.

Step 1. Determine which type of license offered by the SHAMS free zone suits you. It is crucial to approach this question carefully, as choosing the wrong activity, registration authority, or location can lead to errors during company registration, creating problems with opening a bank account or getting a residence visa.

Step 2. Prepare and upload the necessary documents. SHAMS requires a minimal documentation package.

• passport with a 6-month validity
• personal details like phone number and email
• three company name options
• confirmation of business activity

Registration can be completed remotely - you don’t need to be physically present. Also you have to pay all the registration and processing fees at this step.

Step 3. Receive the license and registration documents for the company, namely

• Certificate of incorporation
• Trade license
• Lease agreement
• MoA and Articles of Association

Step 4. Receive an establishment card that contains information about your company and makes it eligible to sponsor residence visas.

Step 5. Apply for an entry permit. After the entry permit is issued you have to change your visa status from a tourist visa to a residence visa. If you are outside the UAE, then arrive in the country, get your entry permit stamped and then proceed with the rest of the residence visa process, submitting the necessary documents.

Step 6. Undergo a medical checkup.

Step 7. Apply for an Emirates ID.

Step 8. Complete biometrics procedure in one of the Emirates ID centers.

Step 9. Once you have the results of your medical test and biometrics you can finalize visa formalities. Note that for the residence visa approval a health insurance is required. Your electronic visa will be sent to you by email. You can also find it in the UAEICP app.

Step 10. Receive your Emirates ID in 5-7 days.

Step 11. Apply to a UAE bank to open a corporate bank account.

Step 12. Receive the account details and start running your business in the UAE.

Sharjah Media City free zone allows for younger aged individuals to hold company shares - you can own a business starting from the age of 19. This is a great benefit that is not available in any other free zone. Company employees can be as young as 18 years old, which is also quite unusual in comparison to other free Zones.

All the documents of the companies are electronic. You can print them anywhere without worrying about losing the originals. The documents can be always verified through SHAMS web-site to make sure they are authentic.

SHAMS licenses and cost

The basic (and the cheapest) package for a business setup in the SHAMS costs 5,750 AED. You can choose up to 5 media activities and you are able to upgrade to a package with visas.

SHAMS Sharjah Media City is an affordable free zone. The fees start from 5,750 AED for a zero visa package with a broad range of media/IT activities. In Sharjah Media City you can obtain:

• a service license,
• a trade license, and
• e-commerce license.

SHAMS business activities

It is known as the Media Free Zone, but the business activities are not related only to the media sector.

You can combine multiple activities in your license. SHAMS free zone company setup can satisfy the companies with a wide range of business activities.

SHAMS facilities

SHAMS licenses are inclusive of flexi-desks, and some banks accept it for the bank account opening. Lease agreement for the flexi desk is issued together with the company documents.

Overall, SHAMS facilities are the following:

SHAMS visa costs

SHAMS has one of the most flexible systems of visa allocation - you can have an unlimited number of visas for your company.

Another way to get multiple visa slots in Sharjah would be Hamriyah free zone visa.

In addition to that, you can upgrade your package at any time.

SHAMS visa costs (AED):

All visas are valid for 2 years.

When you apply for a resident visa under the SHAMS free zone license, you need to get health insurance.

SHAMS company license renewal

Company renewal just like the setup can be done remotely. Audit reports are not required by the authority.

Renewal fees are the same as setup fees.

If you do not renew the company on time, monthly penalties will start accumulating. The fine after the first month is 1,100 AED. The following months will cost 100 AED each.

SHAMS company amendments

Sharjah Media City is quite straightforward with any amendments. They include amendments to the shareholding structure of the company, the license activities, etc. The cost for the majority of them is 2,000 AED and personal presence is not required.

Amendments of the license will be free during the renewal.

SHAMS company liquidation

Liquidation of a company in Sharjah Media City Free Zone authority takes about 3 weeks.

The price of the liquidation is 2,000 AED.

About SHAMS Free Zone

SHAMS is suitable for entrepreneurs who are currently developing their startup and are therefore looking for cost-effective setup options with minimal expenses. Additionally, if you are new to the UAE, SHAMS can serve as a starting platform for you to navigate the new legal landscape and explore business opportunities.

SHAMS offers a variety of activities in the media and services sectors, making it particularly attractive to creative professionals seeking development opportunities in these fields.

A major advantage of SHAMS is its flexible visa allocation system, allowing for unlimited number of visas to be issued for employees and company owners.

Moreover, SHAMS boasts a convenient location, just 15 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport.

You can register your company remotely, and document processing is conducted electronically, saving time and simplifying business operations.

Alternative option business setup within the Dubai Emirate would be a DTEC formation of a company in this media related free zone.

Emirabiz team, being business setup consultants in Dubai has been awarded by SHAMS certificate of appreciation.