Sharjah Media City (Shams)
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) is a Sharjah free zone positioned for media, creative, and service businesses that want a low entry price and a digital-first setup experience. SHAMS offers 120+ approved business activities, the ability to include up to five activities on one license, and visa allocation up to 20 per license depending on package and facility type.
From
AED 5,750
Established
2017
Companies
13,500
Max Visas
20
Banking
Moderate
SHAMS Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Media License (0 Visa) | AED 5,750 | 0 | Flexi Desk | AED 5,750 | AED 5,750 |
| Standard License (0 Visa) | AED 6,875 | 0 | Flexi Desk | AED 6,875 | AED 6,875 |
| Flexi-Desk + 1 Visa Package | AED 11,000 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 19,620 | AED 15,520 |
| Flexi-Desk + 2 Visa Package | AED 12,875 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 26,015 | AED 21,915 |
| Shared Desk + 3 Visa Package | AED 13,995 | 3 | Dedicated Desk | AED 31,655 | AED 27,555 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Low entry pricing — business licenses from AED 5,750 (0-visa)
- Fully digital setup: entire process is online (application, payment, license issuance)
- Up to five business activities under one license, even across sectors
- Visa scalability: up to 20 visas per license depending on package and facility
- No deposit required by SHAMS
- Banking assistance with named partners: Wio, Mashreq Neo/NeoBiz, RAKBANK
- Health insurance facilitation via authorized providers
- Buy Now, Pay Later via Tabby and monthly installments via partner banks
Watch out for
- Pricing fragmentation: multiple starting points (AED 5,750 vs AED 6,875) and agent bundles differ — expect quote variance
- Visa process costs inconsistently quoted across sources — confirm latest fee schedule during onboarding
- Banking friction remains real: partner introductions help, but KYC can extend timelines to weeks
- Activity count (120+) is smaller than mega free zones with thousands of activities
- Shared-desk visa caps commonly limited to 6 — scaling beyond requires facility upgrades
- Mandatory health insurance adds ongoing annual cost per visa holder (AED 320+/year)
Visa Information
Max Quota
20 visas
Up to 20 per license; shared-desk setups commonly capped around 6 visas. Higher quotas require facility upgrades.
Processing Time
5 days
Renewal Cost
AED 4,200
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 3,500
Typical UAE family visa fees AED 3,500-5,000 per person. Higher if in-country status change applies.
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 3,360
Investor Visa
AED 3,360
Medical Standard
AED 450
Medical V I P
AED 850
Emirates Id Typing
AED 390
4-5 working days for entry permit and normal residence visa processing. Priority options available.
Banking
Partner Banks
Digital-first banking options (Wio, Mashreq Neo/NeoBiz) can process quickly. Personal banking timelines run 10-15 days. Corporate approvals still depend on KYC, activity risk, and business documentation — plan for multi-week timelines.
Features
Mainland Trading
Direct mainland trading requires additional structuring (mainland branch/dual license or distributor).
Physical Office Required
Packages include flexi/shared desk options with lease equivalent. No traditional physical office required.
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
No official crypto centre; crypto licensing depends on activity selection and compliance.
Shared Ownership
Multiple shareholders supported with 100% foreign ownership.
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
Fully online setup: application, payment, license issuance all digital.
Co-working Available
Audit Required
SHAMS does not require audited accounts for renewal. Audits may still be needed for corporate tax/QFZP status or banking.
Share Capital Requirement
AED 100,000 (deposit optional). SHAMS states deposits are not required.
Easy Payment Plan
Buy Now, Pay Later via Tabby and monthly installments via partner banks.
Recent Developments
- Feb 2026: Promotional pricing updated — entry licenses from AED 5,750, standard from AED 6,875
- Dec 2025: Business setup marketing updated to reference 13,500+ active clients
- Sep 2025: FZ+ value-added services launched including health insurance and banking assistance
- Jan 2025: Mandatory basic health insurance extended to Sharjah at AED 320/year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a SHAMS license cost in 2026?
SHAMS offers business licenses from AED 5,750 for a 0-visa entry package, with standard packages from AED 6,875. Visa-allocation packages cost more and vary by desk type.
How many business activities can I add on one SHAMS license?
Up to five business activities under one license, even across different sectors. SHAMS offers 120+ available activities total.
How many visas can I get with SHAMS?
Up to 20 visas per license, but practical quota depends on your package and facility. Shared desk setups are commonly capped at around 6 visas.
What are typical SHAMS visa costs per person?
Visa fees are around AED 3,360 (2-year) plus medical (AED 450) and Emirates ID (AED 390). Company-level items include Immigration Card (~AED 1,575 for 3 years) and e-channel registration (~AED 2,525).
Is health insurance required for SHAMS visa holders?
Yes. Health insurance is mandatory for all residents. Since January 2025, Sharjah requires a basic package at AED 320/year minimum for targeted groups.
Can I sponsor dependents with a SHAMS visa?
Yes. Dependent visas are available for family members. UAE family visa fees are typically AED 3,500-5,000 per person depending on status change and emirate.
Ready to set up with SHAMS?
Get a personalised quote for your SHAMS business setup. Compare packages and find the best deal.
Starting From
AED 5,750 /yr