SHARJAH MEDIA CITY FREE ZONE (SHAMS)
Join The Award-Winning Community
Launched in 2017, Sharjah Media City (Shams) is a catalyst for creative and media businesses to grow and thrive. Aiming to be a world-class media hub for innovative facilities and services, Shams covers a wide range of business activities available; for those wishing to embark on their entrepreneurial journey in the UAE.
Core Sectors: Focus on services within IT and media. Shams offers over 120 business activities to choose from and provides you the flexibility to combine different activities on the same license.
- Company setup options starting from AED 8,400.
- Wide range of business activities is available on the same business license.
- All company documents are issued within days.
- 100% foreign ownership permitted.
- Shareholders are not required to be physically present in the UAE to incorporate a new company.
- Companies will have limited liability.
- Ability to appoint Corporate Directors and Corporate Managers for your company.
- 100% repatriation of capital and profits.
- 0% corporate or personal income tax.
- Quick and simple online registration process.
- Allocation of up to 6 visas on a shared desk facility.
- Located 5 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport.
- Services
- Trading
- Industrial
- Holding
- Offices
- Virtual desks and shared desks
SPEAK TO OUR EXPERTS TODAY
- Sharjah Media Free Zone (SHAMS)
- Sharjah Media Free Zone
- Company setup options starting from AED 8,400
- Not required however, AED 50,000 recommended to be paid up within the first year of operation
- 1 week
- Tax and duty exemption
- Not required however, recommended as best practice to maintain proper books of accounts
SHAMS FREE ZONE FAQS
Sharjah Media City (Shams) offers cost-effective company setup packages. The company incorporation and license fees will vary depending on the company’s structure, business type, business activities, and visa eligibility. Contact Creation Business Consultants at [email protected] for your Shams free zone company setup consultation and quotation.
The business facility options available at Shams free zone are dedicated desk, shared desk, dedicated office, and shared office space. Our expert consultants can guide you in selecting the right business facilities and share the full details and business facility images on what Shams free zone can offer with your business registration and licensing needs.
The time to complete the company setup in Shams free zone can vary. However, in general, the application for a new standard license (without external approvals) takes from 1-3 business days.
Once your company setup is completed, Shams free zone will issue the company license. Next, the company establishment card and registration of the company E-Channel must be actioned as this enables visas to be processed under your Shams free zone company. Following on, Creation Business Consultants can start the UAE visa process with the authority. In general, the requirements for visa processing include:
- Passport copy
- Passport size photo
- Entry stamp/ Tourist visa/ Cancelled Residence visa
- Employment contract and salary details
Reach out to Creation Business Consultants visa specialists at [email protected] and we will be delighted to assist with your Shams visa service request.
The different license options available with Shams free zone are media, consulting, services, manufacturing, and trading. Shams free zone offers 120+ business activities to choose from. With Shams, you may have the flexibility to combine certain activities all under the same Shams business license. Reach out to Creation Business Consultants at [email protected] and we will be able to assist you with the correct license type and guide you in selecting your business activities.
Shams free zone amenities are to serve clients and cater to all business needs. Currently, the available amenities or facility options in Shams are dedicated desks, shared desks, dedicated offices, and shared offices. All four (4) office types provide amenities with ready-to-use Wi-Fi, access to a printer, and a meeting room.
Shams free zone offers over 120 business activities to select from covering media, wholesale and retail to services and consultancy. Shams provides you the flexibility to combine activities (subject to approval) all under the same license. Reach out to our team at [email protected] for your free Shams company set-up consultation.
A company wishing to continue operating its business must legally renew its business license each year. Failure to renew your company license annually and on time will result in fines, the revocation of the company license, closure of corporate bank account, and cancellation of visas under the company sponsorship. Shams license renewal cost depends on the package you have selected, office type, number of visas, and business activities. For a free Shams license renewal consultation, call and request a quotation email at [email protected].
Shams free zone enables its owners to make amends to the company.
- Step 1 – Raise a service request to [email protected] on the amendments to the company.
- Step 2 – Creation will arrange a consultation call to discuss the amendment requirements.
- Step 3 – Creation send a formal proposal for the changes with a quotation.
- Step 4 – Signed proposal, payment made, and Creation will start the company amendments.
Common amendments to a Shams business license include but are not limited to – changes to a company’s name, shareholder, directors, general manager, business activity, license upgrade, license downgrade, change of office type, and all other details pertaining to the business license (subject to authority approval).
There are steps involved to formally liquidate and close a Shams free zone company. The standard requirements include resolution, Shams cancellation forms, and original company documents. Reach out to Creation at [email protected] for more information to best serve your Shams company closure.
The cost of a resident visa under a Shams free zone company varies such as inside the country or outside the country application, Investor / Partner visa, or employment visa application. Contact [email protected] today for more information. Our visa specialists are waiting to speak with you to explain the visa process and get started on this visa service request.
A UAE local partner is not required to set up a company in SHAMS free zone. Shams free zone offers 100% foreign ownership to its shareholders.
With a Shams business license, you are permitted to only operate within your free zone authority and international / offshore. If you wish to own and operate another company in another emirate (e.g., Dubai or Abu Dhabi, etc.), you will be required to obtain the appropriate business license to operate a company within each of the Emirates. You may be able to open a branch of your free zone company and/or a subsidiary in another Emirates which is all subject to the approval of the relevant authorities and if your business activity will permit. Speak to a member of our licensing team on the correct structure and course to open a company in another Emirates. Email [email protected].
IS THE INVESTOR REQUIRED TO BE A UAE RESIDENT TO ESTABLISH A BUSINESS IN SHARJAH MEDIA CITY (SHAMS)?
It is not mandatory for an investor to be a UAE resident. UAE residents and non-UAE residents can establish a business in Sharjah Media City (SHAMS). Once Shams free zone issues your business license, we recommend at least the General Manager to apply for a UAE residency visa as this will assist with better banking facilities and economic substance to your Shams company.
No, Shams free zone does not provide a Chamber of Commerce certificate. Obtaining a Chamber of Commerce certificate is subject to approval. For more information on how our team can assist in obtaining the Chamber of Commerce Certificate, email [email protected].
No, Shams is not offshore. Shams is a free zone located in the Emirate of Sharjah. Shams free zone provides competitively priced business setup packages. Email [email protected] for a free consultation with Creation Business Consultants to discuss your company’s free zone options.