SHAMS Free Zone Setup
Set up your company in SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) — the UAE's most affordable free zone for media, IT, e-commerce, and creative businesses. 100% foreign ownership, packages from AED 5,750, fast remote setup.
Description
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) is one of the UAE's most affordable and popular free zones, purpose-built for media, IT, marketing, e-commerce, consulting, and creative businesses. With license packages starting from approximately AED 5,750, SHAMS has become a leading choice for freelancers, startups, digital businesses, and global founders entering the UAE on a lean budget. Despite the low cost, SHAMS offers 100% foreign ownership, over 1,000 business activities, and fully remote registration.
SHAMS supports a wide range of activities — media and creative services, IT and software, e-commerce, marketing and advertising, consulting, holding companies, and general services. The free zone offers flexible packages with visa and zero-visa options, multi-year licenses, flexi-desk and office solutions, and one of the fastest setup processes in the UAE. SHAMS is particularly attractive for entrepreneurs who want a credible UAE company and residence visa at the lowest possible entry cost.
Octavon Global Advisory handles complete SHAMS setup — package selection, activity matching, trade name reservation, KYC submission, license issuance, Establishment Card, visa processing, medical fitness, Emirates ID, and corporate bank account introduction. Standard SHAMS setup completes in 3 to 7 working days from KYC submission, with most of the licensing stage handled fully remotely.
What's Included
- SHAMS Free Zone Trade License
- 100% Foreign Ownership
- UAE's Most Affordable Free Zone Option
- Fully Remote Digital Setup
- Over 1,000 Business Activities
- Multiple Activities Under Single License
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Share Certificate
- Flexi-Desk Included
- Visa and Zero-Visa Package Options
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor Visa (optional, package-dependent)
- Medical Fitness Test and Emirates ID (if visa)
- Corporate Bank Account Introduction
- Free UAE Corporate Tax Consultation
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate)
- Trade name following SHAMS naming rules
- Activity from SHAMS-approved list
- Flexi-desk included, upgrade for more visa capacity
- NOC from current sponsor if applicant is on UAE residence visa
- Annual license renewal
Required Documents
- Passport Copy (6+ months validity)
- UAE Visa Copy and Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- Passport-sized Photograph (if visa)
- Proof of Address (utility bill, last 3 months)
- Contact Details
- CV or Business Profile
- List of Proposed Activities
- NOC from Current Sponsor (if applicable)
- For corporate shareholder: parent company documents
Our Process
- Free consultation on SHAMS package and activity
- Reserve trade name
- Select activities and license type
- Submit KYC documents online
- SHAMS review and approval
- Pay license and visa package fees
- Receive SHAMS Trade License (digital)
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor visa processing (if applicable)
- Medical fitness and Emirates ID
- Corporate bank account opening
Pricing
- Basic Fee: AED 5,750
- Service Fee: AED 2,500
- VAT (5%): AED 413
- Total: AED 8,663
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is SHAMS so affordable?
SHAMS operates a lean, digitally-focused model with packages starting from approximately AED 5,750. It is purpose-positioned for cost-conscious freelancers, startups, and digital businesses who want a credible UAE company without the premium fees of Dubai free zones.
How much does SHAMS setup cost?
SHAMS base trade license packages start from approximately AED 5,750 for a zero-visa license, rising to around AED 12,000 for packages including visas and additional activities. Service fees and visa processing are additional. It is among the lowest-cost free zone options in the UAE.
Can I set up at SHAMS without visiting the UAE?
Yes, the licensing stage is fully remote. Documents are submitted and signed online and the license is delivered digitally. A short UAE visit is required only for residence visa processing (medical fitness and Emirates ID biometrics) and bank account opening.
What activities are available at SHAMS?
SHAMS supports over 1,000 activities including media, creative services, IT and software, e-commerce, marketing, advertising, consulting, holding companies, and general services. You can combine multiple activities under one license.
How long does SHAMS setup take?
Standard SHAMS setup completes in 3 to 7 working days from KYC submission. The fully digital process makes it one of the fastest free zone setups in the UAE.
Can I get a UAE residence visa with SHAMS?
Yes. SHAMS offers packages with visa options (typically 1 to several visas) as well as zero-visa licenses for those who only need the company. Investor visas are valid for 2 years and renewable.
Why choose SHAMS over a Dubai free zone?
SHAMS offers the same 100% foreign ownership and tax benefits at a significantly lower cost than Dubai free zones. The trade-off is a Sharjah rather than Dubai address — but for media, IT, e-commerce, and consulting businesses serving clients remotely or internationally, the cost saving is substantial.