SHAMS Company Setup in Sharjah:
Licence, Workspace and Visas
SHAMS, Sharjah Media City, is a free zone in Al Messaned, Sharjah, established by Emiri Decree in 2017 for media, creative and digital businesses. It offers 100% foreign ownership, no local partner and a freelance permit alongside company licences. Maven& checks your activity, licence and tax position first, then handles your licence, visas and bank account.
- 100% foreign ownership
- Freelance permit and company licences
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- SHAMS company setup partner
Foreign ownership
No UAE local partner is needed to set up a company in SHAMS.
Licence options to compare
Media, trading, service, industrial and holding licences, plus a freelance permit.
Team for licence, visas and bank
One consultant handles your licence, residence visas, PRO work and bank account introductions.
- Who SHAMS suits
Businesses that suit a SHAMS company
Content creators and media professionals
Creators, photographers and podcasters who want a licence and residence through the media focus.
Agencies and marketing firms
Creative, marketing and digital agencies serving regional clients.
Freelancers
Solo professionals who prefer a freelance permit over a full company.
Trading and e-commerce businesses
Traders and online sellers, since the zone is not limited to media.
What are the main SHAMS rules and tax points?
A SHAMS licence suits many businesses, but it comes with rules on premises, approvals and tax that are worth checking before you commit.
- Authority: SHAMS is owned and run by the Government of Sharjah through the Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority.
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership is available, with no UAE local partner needed.
- Freelance permit: individuals can work under a freelance permit without incorporating a company.
- Mainland trading: a SHAMS licence does not automatically allow unrestricted trading in the UAE mainland.
- Corporate tax: 0% applies only to qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
- SHAMS vs mainland
SHAMS vs Dubai mainland company
Choose SHAMS if its location, licences and premises fit your business. Choose the mainland if you will sell directly to UAE customers.
| Feature | SHAMS | Dubai mainland (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% for most activities |
| Selling in the UAE market | Not automatic: depends on the licence and approvals | Directly, anywhere in the UAE |
| Premises | Flexi-desk or office in Sharjah Media City | Physical office with Ejari |
| Corporate tax | 0% only on qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person, 9% above AED 375,000 otherwise | 9% above AED 375,000 |
| Best for | Media, creative and freelance professionals | Businesses serving UAE customers directly |
See mainland company formation or read the free zone vs mainland guide.
- Company structures
Three ways to set up in SHAMS
Company
For solo owners
- One shareholder
- Separate legal entity in the zone
- Premises sized to your visa plan
- Freelance permit available as a lighter option
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Company (FZC)
For partners and co-founders
- Two or more shareholders
- Separate legal entity in the zone
- Shareholding set out in the MoA
- Same premises and visa rules apply
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
a Company
For existing businesses
- Extends a company incorporated elsewhere
- Parent company documents need attestation
- Licensed under the parent company name
- The parent company carries the liability
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does SHAMS company setup cost?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your licence type, activity, premises and number of visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every SHAMS and service fee before you commit.
- SHAMS licence package and activity fees
- Flexi-desk or office in Sharjah Media City
- Establishment card and residence visas
- Annual licence renewal
- Accounting and reporting support
- PRO, bank account and tax registration support
- How it works
How to set up a SHAMS company in Sharjah in 5 steps
Choose activities and licence
We match your activities to the right SHAMS licence category and confirm your tax position.
Reserve your name
We reserve a compliant name and prepare the application for SHAMS.
Apply and secure premises
We submit the application and arrange a flexi-desk or office in Sharjah Media City.
Receive your SHAMS licence
After approvals and fees, SHAMS issues your trade licence and incorporation documents.
Visas, bank account and launch
We process the establishment card and residence visas, then introduce you to UAE banks and set up accounting and tax registration support.
Documents required for SHAMS company setup
Most setups need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing for your structure.
- Passport copy of every shareholder, director and manager
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copy, if you are a resident
- Three proposed names, in order of preference
- A short description of your business activities
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA and board resolution, attested
- Source of funds details, where the authority or bank asks for them
- Business plan or activity description, where required
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for SHAMS company setup in Sharjah
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right licence and tax position
Licence categories, premises rules and tax outcomes differ by activity. We check your licence type and your Qualifying Free Zone Person position before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- SHAMS FAQs
SHAMS company setup in Sharjah: frequently asked questions
SHAMS, or Sharjah Media City, is a free zone in Al Messaned, Sharjah, established by Emiri Decree in 2017. It is built around media, creative and digital businesses, though many licensed companies work in trading and services. See all free zones.
No UAE local partner is needed to set up a company in SHAMS. Some regulated activities need extra approvals.
The cost depends on your licence type, activity, premises and number of visas, so there is no single price. It combines the licence package, your premises, the establishment card and visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
SHAMS offers flexi-desk and office options in Sharjah Media City, and your choice can affect how many residence visas you can sponsor. A freelance permit is a lighter option for individuals.
Not automatically. A SHAMS licence does not give unrestricted mainland trading rights, so trading with UAE customers depends on your licence and any approvals. If most customers are in the UAE, a mainland company may fit better.
Yes, it must register. A free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and 9% on other income above AED 375,000. A free zone licence does not by itself mean zero tax. See corporate tax registration and filing.
SHAMS offers media, trading, service, industrial and holding licences, plus a freelance permit for individuals. We match your activities to the right option before applying.
The timeline depends on your activity, structure and documents, and on any approvals your activity needs. Visas and the bank account follow the licence. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. A SHAMS company can sponsor residence visas for owners and employees, with the number linked to your licence and premises. See the investor and partner visa.
Yes. Banks run Know Your Customer checks and the decision is theirs. We prepare the file and introduce you to suitable banks. See corporate bank account opening.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to set up your SHAMS company?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a setup plan built around your activity. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
Related services
More from Free Zone Company Formation.
Business setup guides
