SHAMS — Sharjah Media City
SHAMS is the number one choice for business owners and entrepreneurs among all the Sharjah free zones offering company formation — with 100% foreign ownership, low tax rates and a wide range of media-related business activities. Established in January 2017 by Emiri Decree, Sharjah Media City spans over 2 million m² in Al Messaned — a digitally born free zone: registration, renewal and maintenance all run fully remotely, just 15 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and 30 minutes from Dubai.
Don’t Let the Name Fool You
“Media City” undersells it: alongside media and creative licences, SHAMS issues trading (including e-commerce), consultancy, freelance and service licences — IT companies and online businesses are among its biggest users. No physical office is required, no paid-up capital is needed, and you can live in any Emirate (including Dubai) while your company sits in SHAMS — the licence works UAE-wide. Shared-desk packages support up to 6 visas, all valid for 2 years, and visa holders can sponsor family members.
Our SHAMS Packages — The Long Game
Our SHAMS setups are built for keeping costs down over years, not just at signup: UAE residence visa included for life, with renewal free every 2 years — saving you roughly $1,500 each renewal cycle. Combined with SHAMS’s minimal upfront and renewal costs, it’s the leanest long-term residency-by-business route we offer. Ask for today’s package rates on WhatsApp or price your configuration in the Setup Cost Calculator.
The SHAMS Setup Process
- Choose the right business activity for your company
- Register three unique trade names — submitted to the SHAMS authority, one approved and reserved
- Submit the required documents and await approval from the Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority
- Pay the licence fees
- Record a short video with your KYC documents for verification — SHAMS’s fully digital identity check
- Receive your business licence and establishment card, apply for your residency visa, and open your business bank account
Everything runs remotely — most clients only appear for visa biometrics.
The Honest Fine Print
Two things to know: manufacturing and heavy industrial setups needing land or warehouses are better served by RAKEZ or Hamriyah — SHAMS is built for services, media and trade. And as with all northern-Emirates zones, bank account opening takes a little more preparation than with Dubai zones — our banking team preps the file so it lands right the first time. Against IFZA: SHAMS wins on price and simplicity; IFZA on banking familiarity and the Dubai address. We quote both, neutrally.
