Why Set Up in Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)?
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) Free Zone is the UAE's premier media, creative, and digital innovation hub, engineered to provide agile, accessible licensing for digital nomads, marketing agencies, content creators, and global consultants.
Established in 2017 in Al Messaned, Sharjah—just 15 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport—SHAMS delivers rapid digital trade licensing with zero mandatory physical presence. Entrepreneurs can combine multiple creative, consultancy, and e-commerce activities under a single trade license while benefiting from a progressive media-friendly regulatory framework.
SHAMS Media & Commercial License
Flexible digital license with coworking desk access & rapid issuance
Starting price for 0-visa license. Visa packages available from AED 11,500.
- ✓ Official SHAMS Electronic Trade License
- ✓ Up to 3 Combined Business Activities
- ✓ Shared Coworking Space / Smart Desk Lease
- ✓ Sharjah Chamber of Commerce Membership
- ✓ Establishment Card & Immigration Registration Assistance
- ✓ Dedicated UAE Corporate Bank Account Advisory
Form Your SHAMS Company in 3 Quick Steps
A streamlined, fully compliant company setup pathway managed from start to finish by EON Global Group corporate specialists.
Activity Consultation & Trade Name
Select legal structure, define business activities, verify authority approvals, and reserve your unique corporate trade name.
Document Submission & Initial Approval
Submit shareholder passport copies, proof of address, and digital application forms to the free zone authority for security clearance.
License Issuance & Visa Onboarding
Sign the corporate lease, receive your electronic trade license, issue the establishment card, and initiate UAE residency visas and corporate banking.
Key Advantages of SHAMS
Explore the fiscal, regulatory, and infrastructural benefits engineered for international business growth.
0% Corporate & Personal Tax
Take advantage of qualifying free zone person tax treatment under UAE corporate tax laws, with zero personal income taxes and zero customs duty on qualifying re-exports.
100% Capital Repatriation
Maintain complete corporate independence with unrestricted repatriation of business profits, dividends, and international capital.
Multi-Activity Licensing
Combine diverse creative, consultancy, and commercial activities under one single unified corporate license without paying duplicate government fees.
Prime Northern Emirates Hub
Strategic positioning connecting Sharjah's cultural landscape to Dubai's commercial corridors in under 20 minutes.
Permitted Activities & License Options
Select the exact commercial or professional license category tailored to your operational business model.
Service & Creative License
Tailored for digital agencies, content creators, media producers, graphic designers, PR specialists, and brand strategists.
Commercial & E-Commerce License
Authorizes wholesale trade, online retail marketplaces, dropshipping networks, and global import-export distribution.
Professional & Advisory License
Engineered for management consultants, legal and financial advisors, IT architects, corporate strategists, and executive mentors.
Media Production & Broadcast
Comprehensive permissions for audio/video studios, film production companies, publishing houses, and podcast networks.
Required Documents & Operational Cost Factors
Transparent document criteria and clear cost guidelines for seamless company registration.
Required Documents Checklist
Documentation requirements for SHAMS are streamlined to ensure rapid compliance and verification:
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Individual Shareholders: Clear passport copy (valid for at least 6 months), passport-size photograph with white background, and current UAE visa copy or entry stamp (if applicable).
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Proof of Address & Contact: Recent utility bill or residential bank statement confirming current address, along with phone and email coordinates.
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Corporate Shareholders (Holding / Branch): Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association (MOA), Board Resolution approving setup, and Certificate of Good Standing (attested as required).
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Regulatory Special Approvals: Specialized external ministry approvals only if engaging in regulated educational, maritime, financial, or security activities.
Operational Cost Structure Factors
Understand the core components determining total initial setup investment and annual operational renewals:
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Trade License Fee: Governed by the authority schedule, licensing tier (Commercial vs Consultancy), and number of approved business activities.
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Facility & Workspace Solution: Scales from cost-effective smart flexi-desks up to executive private suites or industrial warehouses.
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Residency Visa Allocations: Incorporates immigration establishment card registration, entry permits, status change, medical fitness, and Emirates ID cards.
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Corporate Banking Assistance: Complete document dossier preparation, AML/KYC profile packaging, and expedited bank manager introduction.
Frequently Asked Questions on SHAMS
Clear, authoritative answers to common inquiries regarding company formation, residency visas, and corporate banking.
Ready to Form Your SHAMS Company?
Receive a tailored, all-inclusive proposal within 2 hours. Our multilingual corporate specialists manage everything from name registration to residency visas and banking onboarding.