SHAMS Free Zone Company Setup: Cost, Licence & Process (2026)
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) is one of the UAE's most affordable free zones, with licences starting around AED 5,750 for freelancers and roughly AED 11,500 for company packages. It offers 100% ownership, media and general activities, and is popular with freelancers, creatives and budget-conscious founders.
Last updated: June 2026
SHAMS — Cost breakdown (2026)
| Freelancer permit from | AED 5,750 |
|---|---|
| Company licence from | AED 11,500 |
| Per visa | ≈ AED 3,300 |
| Timeline | 3–7 working days |
According to Setup Business in UAE, SHAMS company setup starts from AED 5,750, with licences typically issued within 3–7 working days (as of June 2026).
Best for
- Freelancers
- Creatives & media
- Startups
- Low-budget setups
Advantages
- Among the cheapest UAE free zones
- Freelancer-friendly permits
- 100% ownership and easy digital setup
- Flexible activities including media
Considerations
- Located in Sharjah, not Dubai
- Visa quota tied to package tier
How to set up in SHAMS
- 1
Pick your activity
Choose a media, service or trading activity available at SHAMS.
- 2
Reserve a name
Submit compliant company or freelancer name options.
- 3
Submit documents
Passport copy and application.
- 4
Get your licence
Receive the SHAMS licence digitally.
- 5
Visas & banking
Apply for visas and open a corporate account.
Hidden costs and renewal fees at SHAMS
SHAMS keeps entry costs low, but the AED 5,750 figure is the freelancer permit — a company licence starts nearer AED 11,500. Add the establishment card, about AED 3,300 per visa, and Sharjah's e-channel registration with its refundable deposit, which surprises founders expecting Dubai-style processes.
Renewals track the first-year price, and visa-tier upgrades mean moving package, so map your two-year headcount before choosing. Courier, attestation and typing fees are individually small but add a few hundred dirhams across a full setup.
Common mistakes founders make with SHAMS
The classic SHAMS mistake is choosing it purely on price when clients expect a Dubai address — swapping emirates later means a fresh licence, not an amendment. Freelancers also under-read the permit's scope: it covers the named individual and listed media/service activities, not hiring staff or trading goods. And because SHAMS is fully remote, founders sometimes skip reading the visa quota tiers and discover their package caps them at fewer visas than planned.
Banking with a SHAMS licence
Budget-zone licences get more compliance scrutiny than DMCC-tier ones, and SHAMS is no exception: expect requests for CVs, portfolio links and sample contracts. Digital banks are the pragmatic first stop — Wio in particular onboards SHAMS freelancers and small companies routinely. Traditional banks will open accounts but may ask for higher minimum balances; approach them once you have three to six months of revenue history rather than on day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cheap is SHAMS?+
SHAMS freelancer permits start around AED 5,750, and company licences from about AED 11,500, making it one of the most affordable UAE free zones.
Is SHAMS good for freelancers?+
Yes. SHAMS is popular with freelancers and creatives thanks to low-cost permits and media-friendly activities.
Where is SHAMS located?+
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) is in Sharjah, a short drive from Dubai, with fully remote digital setup.