Mainland Sector

Business Setup in SHAMS

Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) is one of the UAE’s most affordable and fastest-growing free zones, specifically designed to support media, creative, and digital businesses.

We manage your SHAMS setup end to end including package and activity selection, license type, visa options, registration, and corporate bank account introduction working directly with the free zone.

Why Choose SHAMS

Highly Affordable
Among the most cost-effective free zone packages available.

100% Foreign Ownership
Full ownership with no local partner required.

Freelancer-friendly
Accessible options for individual professionals and solo founders.

Flexible Packages
Options available with or without visas.

Tax Efficiency
0% corporate tax on qualifying income for a Qualifying Free Zone Person.

Legal Structures and Ownership

SHAMS caters to both single and multiple shareholders through FZ-LLC and branch structures.

Free Zone Establishment (FZE)

Free Zone Company (FZCO)

Branch Company

License Types in SHAMS

Activities are categorized into specific license types, with multi-activity flexibility:

Media License For content, publishing, and creative projects.

Commercial License For trading and general trading activities.

Service License For professional consultancy and services.

Strategic Partners

Estimated Timeline

3 to 5 Business Days

Company Incorporation: 3 to 5 business days.
Visa/Emirates ID: 2 to 3 additional weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, SHAMS allows multiple business activities under a single license for added flexibility.

Yes, SHAMS provides accessible packages tailored to individual professionals and solo founders.

SHAMS offers a Free Zone Establishment for a single shareholder, a Free Zone Company for two or more shareholders, and a Branch Company for an existing UAE or foreign entity, catering to both single and multiple shareholder arrangements.

SHAMS issues a Media License for content, publishing and creative projects, a Commercial License for trading and general trading activities, and a Service License for professional consultancy, with multi-activity flexibility across categories.

Company incorporation typically takes 3 to 5 business days once documents are in order. Visa and Emirates ID processing usually takes an additional 2 to 3 weeks after the license has been issued.

Yes. SHAMS permits full foreign ownership with no local partner required. A company that qualifies as a Qualifying Free Zone Person can also benefit from 0% corporate tax on its qualifying income.

Yes. SHAMS offers flexible packages both with and without visa allocation, letting solo founders and freelancers choose a lower-cost option if they do not need residence visas as part of their setup.

No. While media and creative activities are central to SHAMS, it also welcomes trading, consultancy and service-based businesses, giving founders across a range of sectors access to its accessible entry-level packages.

Yes. SHAMS is among the most cost-effective free zone packages available in the UAE, making it accessible for individual professionals, solo founders and startups looking for a straightforward entry point into UAE company formation.

A Qualifying Free Zone Person in SHAMS can apply 0% corporate tax to its qualifying income. Non-qualifying income is taxed at the standard 9% rate, so activities should be structured with your corporate tax position in mind from the outset.

Business Setup in SHAMS

About SHAMS