Service Licence
Used for approved businesses whose primary activity is providing services rather than selling physical goods. This can include professional, consultancy, media and production-related services depending on the activity selected.
Sharjah Media City Free Zone
SHAMS Company Formation in Sharjah Media City
Set up your UAE company in SHAMS with practical support on business activities, licence selection, shareholder structure, visas, documentation and corporate bank account preparation.
- 100% foreign ownership available
- Online company formation route
- Multiple activities can be combined
- Media and wider commercial activities
From AED 5,750
Current advertised SHAMS starting package
Foreign ownership
100% ownership is available
Digital formation
Online registration process available
Flexible activities
Multiple activities can sit under one licence
What Is SHAMS Free Zone?
Sharjah Media City, commonly known as SHAMS, is a free-zone authority in Sharjah created to support media, creative and entrepreneurial businesses.
Although media and creativity remain central to the SHAMS ecosystem, its company-formation offering now covers a wider range of service, consultancy, technology, trading, e-commerce and other approved activities.
That can make SHAMS relevant to entrepreneurs who want a UAE free-zone company without necessarily needing a large physical office or an industrial facility. The correct choice still depends on what the business will actually do, where it will trade, its visa requirements and its banking profile.
First Elite Global can compare SHAMS against other Sharjah free-zone company formation routes before you commit to the licence.
SHAMS Free Zone licence cost
How Much Does SHAMS Company Formation Cost?
SHAMS currently publishes starting prices for its core company-formation packages. The final amount depends on the package, activities, visa requirements, shareholders and any additional services or approvals.
Media Package
A starting route aimed at approved media and creative activities. Check the current activity list before choosing this package.
Starting from
AED 5,750
Standard Package
A broader company-formation route supporting eligible commercial and service-based activities.
Starting from
AED 6,875
Business suitability
Who Should Consider SHAMS?
SHAMS can be particularly relevant where the company is service-led, digitally operated or involved in media, technology, consulting or online business.
- Media and content-production businesses
- Marketing and advertising agencies
- Consultants and professional service providers
- Technology and digital businesses
- Design and creative companies
- E-commerce businesses
- Trading businesses using approved activities
- Entrepreneurs looking for an online formation route
Licence selection
SHAMS Licence Types
Your licence must reflect the activity the company will actually carry out. SHAMS documentation describes service, trading and industrial licensing categories, with individual activities approved under the relevant licence.
Trading Licence
Used for approved activities involving the sale, import or export of goods. The precise goods and trading activities must be reflected on the licence.
Industrial Licence
Intended for approved production, transformation or manufacturing activities where an industrial licensing route is appropriate.
More than media
Business Activities Available in SHAMS
The authority permits a wide range of approved business activities, and more than one activity can be included under a licence where the selected combination is permitted.
Media & Content
Relevant activities can cover production, publishing, digital content, creative services and other approved media functions.
Consultancy & Professional Services
Businesses providing approved advisory, management, creative, technology and professional services can consider the relevant service activities.
E-Commerce & Online Business
Online commercial models can be structured around the appropriate digital, e-commerce or trading activity where approved.
Trading
Approved trading activities can cover the sale, import and export of goods under the appropriate licence and customs arrangements.
Design & Creative Business
SHAMS remains particularly relevant to creative businesses operating in design, media, marketing and related disciplines.
Technology Services
Technology-led businesses can consider approved IT, software, digital and related service activities based on their actual commercial model.
Legal structure
SHAMS LLC or Branch?
The correct structure depends on whether you are creating a new UAE entity or extending an existing business into SHAMS.
SHAMS LLC
A limited-liability company incorporated in the free zone as a separate legal entity. This route can be used for new businesses with individual or corporate shareholders, subject to the authority's current requirements.
Branch
An existing company can consider establishing a branch in SHAMS. Additional parent-company documents, resolutions and corporate evidence can be required as part of the application.
Formation process
How We Approach SHAMS Company Setup
SHAMS promotes a straightforward digital setup process, but the important work happens before submission: confirming that the activity, structure and package actually suit the business.
Confirm your business model
We review what you intend to sell or provide, your customers, shareholder structure, visa needs and expected operating model.
Select the correct activities
The proposed activities are matched to SHAMS licensing options and checked for any specialist approval requirements.
Choose the licence and package
The licence route is considered together with shareholder, visa and facility requirements so that the quotation reflects the complete setup.
Prepare the application documents
Identification and company information are organised before submission. Corporate shareholders or branches can require additional documentation.
Submit and complete licensing
The application moves through the authority's submission, payment and licence-issuance process, subject to the activity and applicant meeting current requirements.
Plan visas, banking and compliance
After licensing, we can help prepare the next stages including immigration requirements, UAE residence processes and corporate-bank-account documentation.
Application requirements
Documents for SHAMS Company Formation
The exact checklist depends on the applicant, shareholder type, visa status and structure. Current SHAMS onboarding documents identify the following common requirements.
Individual shareholders
- Clear passport copy
- Residence visa copy where applicable
- Emirates ID copy where applicable
- Passport-size photograph where required
- Contact and residential-address information
- Shareholding and proposed company information
Corporate shareholder or branch
- Certificate of incorporation or formation
- Memorandum and constitutional documents
- Board resolution where required
- Details of the authorised person
- Passport and identification documents
- Additional legalisation or supporting records where applicable
UAE Corporate Tax
SHAMS Free Zone Does Not Automatically Mean 0% Tax
Free-zone companies fall within the UAE Corporate Tax framework. The special free-zone rate depends on the entity satisfying the requirements to be treated as a Qualifying Free Zone Person and on the nature of its income.
0%
may apply to Qualifying Income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person that continues to satisfy the relevant conditions.
9%
applies to taxable income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person that does not qualify for the special 0% free-zone rate.
Your tax position should therefore be considered alongside your activities and customer model when deciding whether SHAMS is the correct jurisdiction.
Common questions
SHAMS Company Formation FAQs
How much does a SHAMS Free Zone licence cost?
SHAMS currently advertises its Media Package from AED 5,750 and its Standard Package from AED 6,875. Your total formation cost can increase depending on the business activities, shareholders, visas, facilities, immigration requirements and additional services selected.
What is SHAMS Free Zone?
SHAMS is Sharjah Media City, a free-zone authority in Sharjah established to support media, creative and entrepreneurial businesses. Its licensing offering now extends to a wider range of approved professional, service, digital and commercial activities.
Can I own 100% of a SHAMS company?
Yes. SHAMS currently permits 100% foreign ownership of qualifying free-zone companies, subject to the selected company structure and licensing requirements.
Can I establish a SHAMS company remotely?
SHAMS promotes an online registration process, so the company-formation stage can generally be handled digitally. Some later requirements, particularly residence visa, biometrics or banking steps, can require your presence in the UAE depending on your circumstances.
What business activities can I use in SHAMS?
SHAMS offers approved activities across media, creative services, consulting, technology, e-commerce, trading and other business categories. The exact activity wording should be confirmed before the licence application is submitted.
Can I put more than one activity on a SHAMS licence?
SHAMS permits multiple approved business activities to be combined on one licence in suitable cases. Whether a particular combination is accepted depends on the activities selected and current authority rules.
Can a SHAMS company obtain UAE residence visas?
Visa-eligible SHAMS packages are available. The permitted allocation and total cost depend on the selected package, facility and current immigration requirements.
Does a SHAMS company pay UAE Corporate Tax?
Free-zone status does not make all company income automatically tax free. A Qualifying Free Zone Person may benefit from a 0% rate on Qualifying Income, while taxable income that is not qualifying can be subject to the 9% Corporate Tax rate.
Is SHAMS better than SAIF Zone?
They suit different operating models. SHAMS can be attractive to digital, media, consultancy and service businesses, while SAIF Zone can be particularly relevant to trading, logistics, warehousing and industrial operations because of its location and facility options. The activity and operating requirements should decide the jurisdiction.
Can First Elite Global help with banking after SHAMS formation?
Yes. First Elite Global can assist with corporate-bank-account preparation and documentation after formation. Account approval remains subject to the bank's own KYC, compliance and commercial assessment.
Start with the right package
Set Up Your SHAMS Company With a Clear Plan
Tell us your proposed business activity, shareholders, visa requirements and target customers. We can help you determine whether SHAMS fits the business and prepare the appropriate formation route.
