Shams (Sharjah Media City)
Shams (Sharjah Media City) is one of the UAE's cheapest free zones, with licences from around AED 5,750. It gives 100% ownership, a flexi-desk and a broad activity list covering media, e-commerce, consultancy and freelance — a favourite for budget startups and solo founders who want a low-cost UAE licence.
Shams is a low-cost Sharjah free zone popular for media, e-commerce, marketing and freelance businesses. Fast, mostly-digital setup and a flexi-desk make it a top budget choice.
Why choose Shams?
- Among the cheapest UAE licences (from ~AED 5,750)
- Broad activities: media, e-commerce, consultancy, freelance
- Flexi-desk included; run it online with no office
- Quick, digital application
Shams setup costs (2026)
Starting from: AED 5,750+
How much does a Shams (Sharjah Media City) licence cost?
A licence here typically runs AED 6,000 - 18,000 for year one. The licence is normally issued in 1 - 5 working days once documents are ready, and entry package tiers carry 0 - 6 visas. The low end is a single-activity licence with no staff visas; the high end reflects extra activities, a dedicated office or a higher visa quota.
Low-cost media and services packages; popular first company for freelancers and consultants.
Estimate. Indicative market range for planning, not confirmed with the authority. Check current figures before you apply.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence (year one) | AED 6,000 - 18,000 | Varies with activity count and facility |
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off per company, required before any visa |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee |
| Annual licence renewal | 85 - 100% of year-one fee | Excludes one-off formation items |
Indicative ranges for planning, not a quote. Zone packages and government fees change — confirm current figures with the authority before you apply.
How many visas do you get?
Quota follows the facility you take, not the licence itself.
| What you lease | Typical visa quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licence only (zero-visa) | 0 | Trade licence with no residency for anyone |
| Flexi desk / smart desk | 1 - 6 | Set by the package tier you buy, not by the activity |
| Dedicated office (15 - 25 sqm) | 4 - 8 | First step up when a flexi desk runs out of quota |
| Larger office or warehouse | about 1 per 9 sqm | Subject to the zone approving the allocation |
Full detail, including how to increase your allocation: free zone visa quota explained.
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Last updated: October 2026
General information, not advice. Fees, packages and visa quotas are set by the free zone authority and change without notice — confirm current terms before applying.