Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
SHAMS Setup, Sharjah, UAE
SHAMS is built for media, creative, marketing and consulting businesses, with published pricing from AED 5,750 and no annual audit for most licences. Here's how it works.
Free, no-obligation consultation on activity, licence and cost.
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) is a Sharjah free zone built for media, creative, marketing and consulting businesses. You can register as a Free Zone Establishment (FZE), a Free Zone Company (FZC), or a branch of an existing company. Published competitor pricing starts from around AED 5,750, with all-in packages including a visa up to roughly AED 16,000, and most licence types don't require an annual audit. Companies get 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, and full repatriation of profits and capital.
Why It Matters
SHAMS is built for media, creative, marketing and consulting businesses, with published pricing from around AED 5,750 and no annual audit requirement for most licence types, a real cost and compliance saving compared to zones that do require one. It's a strong fit for a media or consulting business, but confirm your specific activity is on SHAMS's permitted list before assuming it fits, since SHAMS isn't built for industrial, warehousing or trading activities.
The Case For SHAMS
Most SHAMS licence types skip the annual audit requirement other zones impose, a real ongoing compliance saving.
Pricing from around AED 5,750, with published timelines of 2-5 days for eligible activities.
No local UAE sponsor or partner required for SHAMS companies.
Keep more of what your business earns, with no personal income tax in the UAE.
100% repatriation of capital and profits, with no currency restrictions.
Before You Apply
Confirm your activity is on SHAMS's permitted media, creative, marketing or consulting list.
FZE, FZC or branch of an existing company, each carries different shareholder and liability implications.
A passport copy is the core requirement for most structures.
Confirm current bank due-diligence timelines for a SHAMS entity before assuming a quick account opening.
Getting Started
Confirm your activity fits SHAMS's media, creative, marketing or consulting focus.
Decide between an FZE, FZC or branch of an existing company.
Submit your preferred company name for SHAMS approval.
File your licence application along with passport copies and shareholder documents.
Select a licence package tier based on visa needs and budget.
Settle registration and licensing fees.
Collect your trade licence and open your corporate bank account.
Apply for investor and employee visas against your approved package.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Licence (from) | AED 5,750* |
| One-visa package | AED 13,000-14,000* |
| All-in with visa | AED 14,000-16,000* |
| Per-person visa cost | AED 3,000-5,500* |
| Annual audit | Not required for most licence types |
| Nationality requirement | Open to any nationality |
*Indicative only, based on published competitor starting rates at the time of writing. Confirm current pricing directly with SHAMS before budgeting a total.
Our Story
Smart Zones® UAE has helped more than 45,000 clients worldwide set up, relocate and protect their interests across the UAE, backed by 13+ years of experience in company formation, residency, banking and family trust formation.
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Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment