Setting up a business in Sharjah usually starts with one question: How much will it cost? The answer varies a lot depending on which free zone you choose, since each one has its own packages, visa rules, and renewal fees. One of the most popular choices, especially for freelancers and startups, is Shams (Sharjah Media City). 

Shams is known for fast, fully online setup and flexible packages. In this guide, we break down the full Shams free zone license cost, from the license itself to visas and renewals, so you can budget with confidence. 

What Is Shams Free Zone? 

Shams free zone is the business licensing arm of Sharjah Media City, a government-backed free zone in the emirate of Sharjah. It was set up in 2017 with a focus on media and creative businesses. Today, it licenses companies across hundreds of activities, including consulting, trading, e-commerce, marketing, and IT. 

Shams Free Zone License Cost at a Glance 

The Shams free zone license cost starts at AED 5,760 for the Media package and AED 6,885 for the Standard package. If you need a UAE residence visa, packages with one visa start at AED 12,810. 

Starting prices include the AED 10 economic registration fee. The 1-visa prices don’t include the AED 350 medical test or health insurance. Choosing a longer license term lowers your yearly price, with discounts of up to 20% on a 10-year license. We cover every fee in detail below. 

What the License Fee Includes 

Every Shams license package covers the essentials you need to start. The Media and Standard packages include the same core items; what you pay for is mainly the range of activities you want. 

What’s included in every package 

• Your trade license, issued as a Limited Liability Company (LLC); 
• Your company documents: Memorandum of Association (MOA), share register, and Certificate of Incorporation; 
• Up to five business activities on a single license; 
• A flexi desk and lease agreement, giving your company an official registered address; 
• 100% foreign ownership, with no local partner required; 
• Fully online setup. 

Media package vs. Standard package 

The Standard package costs AED 1,125 more than the Media package, and the difference comes down to activities. The Media package lets you choose up to five activities from Shams’ media list, which also covers e-commerce. The Standard package lets you combine any five activities from any category, for example, consulting, general trading, and e-commerce on one license. 

If your business is in media or e-commerce, the Media package is the cheaper option. On the other hand, if you plan to trade goods or offer services outside media, choose Standard. Shams publishes its full activity list on its website, so check where your activities fall before you apply. 

What isn’t included 

The license price doesn’t include visa allocations, residence visas, or the fees that come with them, such as the immigration card, medical test, Emirates ID, and health insurance. Approvals from other authorities, which some activities need, are also charged separately. We break these down in the next section. 

Shams Full Cost Breakdown: Every Fee You’ll Pay 

Your total Shams free zone cost depends on one thing above all: Whether you need a UAE residence visa. Every company pays the license fee, and if you need a visa, there are additional government fees on top of it. All Shams prices include VAT. 

1. Fees every company pays

2. Fees your company pays if it sponsors visas

3. Fees for each visa holder

What these fees cover

• Economic registration is a small government fee added to every license. 
• Pre-approval is needed for some applications before Shams can issue the license. 
• External approvals are permits from other authorities that some regulated activities need. They’re priced by those authorities. 
• E-channel registration connects your company to the UAE immigration system so it can sponsor visas. 
• Immigration card, also called an Establishment card, is your company’s permit to apply for visas. It’s valid for two years. 
• Visa allocation reserves a visa slot for each person you sponsor, paid with your license each year. 
• Investor and employment visas cover the entry permit and residence visa for owners and staff, respectively. 
• Change of status applies if the visa holder is already in the UAE on another visa, so they don’t have to leave the country. 
• Medical test and Emirates ID are required for every resident. 
• Health insurance is mandatory for every visa holder, paid directly to a Shams-approved insurance company. 

Shams Free Zone Visa Costs 

How much a Shams Free Zone visa costs depends on two things: The type of visa you need and how many people you want to sponsor. There’s no fixed visa limit per license, so you can start with one and add more as your team grows, each subject to approval. 

Do you need a visa? 

Not everyone does. If you already live in the UAE on a visa through your employer, you can own a Shams company and keep your current visa. Shams free zone doesn’t require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer. You also don’t need a visa if you run your company remotely from abroad. 

However, you’ll need a visa if you want to live in the UAE through your own company, or if you plan to hire staff who will work here. 

Types of Shams visas 

For more on how free zone visas work, see our guide to free zone visas in the UAE. 

How long it takes

Once your license is issued, the visa process usually takes around 11 to 13 working days: 

• Immigration card: 3 working days; 
• E-channel registration: 1 working day; 
• Entry permit: 3 to 4 working days; 
• Medical test and Emirates ID: 2 working days; 
• Visa stamping: 2 to 3 working days. 

If you’re in a hurry, urgent processing is available for the entry permit and visa stamping, cutting each to 1–2 working days for an extra AED 525. 

Multi-Year Licenses and Installment Plans  

If you plan to stay in business for a few years, a longer license term is one of the easiest ways to lower your Shams license cost. New discounted rates are available below.

Multi-year license discounts

On a 10-year term, the yearly price drops to AED 4,600 for the Media package and AED 5,500 for the Standard package. That saves AED 1,150 and AED 1,375 a year, respectively, or AED 11,500 and AED 13,750 over the full term. The discount applies to your whole package, including any visa allocations.  

A multi-year license makes the most sense once you’re confident in your business model. If you’re still testing an idea, a one- or two-year term keeps your upfront cost lower. 

Paying in installments

You don’t have to pay the full amount upfront. There are buy now, pay later options through Tabby or Tamara, with interest-free installments at selected partner banks. 

This makes a multi-year license much more affordable. You get the bigger discount without paying the full amount on day one. 

Your final cost depends on your chosen activities, how many visas you need, and the length of your license term. For a quote tailored to your business, 預約免費諮詢. 

Shams License Renewal Cost 

You need to renew your license at the end of each term to keep operating legally at Shams Free Zone. Your renewal bill has three parts: The license, your office space, and any residence visas you sponsor. 

License renewal

Shams locks your price for the life of your company. As long as you don’t change your package, your renewal costs the same as your original license: AED 5,750 for Media or AED 6,875 for Standard on a one-year term, plus AED 1,600 for each visa allocation. 

Office renewal

Both packages include a flexi desk and lease agreement, so your office is renewed together with your license at no extra cost. If you’ve upgraded to a dedicated or private office, that lease is renewed separately and its cost depends on the space. 

Visa renewal

If your company sponsors visas, plan for these on top of the license: 

• Immigration card: AED 640, renewed every two years; 
• Residence visas: Renewed when they expire. Expect to pay the visa fee again (currently AED 2,200 for investors or AED 3,360 for employees), plus AED 330 for the Emirates ID and AED 350 for the medical test; 
• Health insurance: Renewed every year for each visa holder. 

Renewing on time

You can renew online through the Shams portal, without visiting the free zone. Renewing before your license expires avoids extra charges and keeps your visas valid. 

If you miss the expiry date, here’s what happens: 

A few months of delay can cost more than the fines alone. Losing your immigration card means you and any sponsored employees could lose your residence visas. 

To avoid renewing every year, consider a multi-year license. Besides the discount, you only renew once at the end of the term. For general tips, read our guide on how to renew your UAE trade license. 

FAQs 

How much does a Shams Free Zone license cost?

A Shams license starts at AED 5,760 for the Media package and AED 6,885 for the Standard package. With one investor visa, the Media package starts from AED 12,810, plus the medical test and health insurance. All prices include VAT. 

Does the Shams license fee include a visa?

No. The Media and Standard packages cover the license only. If you need a visa, choose the 1-visa package or add visa fees on top of the license. 

Can I set up a Shams company without living in the UAE?

Yes. The whole process is online, so you can register, pay, and receive your license from anywhere in the world. You don’t need a UAE visa to own a Shams company. 

How much is the Shams license renewal?

Your renewal costs the same as your original license, because Shams locks your price for the life of your company as long as your package doesn’t change. You have a 30-day grace period after expiry. After that, a fine of AED 200 per month applies until you renew. 

Can I pay for a Shams license in installments?

Yes. Shams offers interest-free installments through Tabby and Tamara through selected partner banks. 

Is a multi-year Shams license cheaper?

Yes. Shams offers discounts of 10% for two years, 15% for three years, 17% for five years, and 20% for ten years. 

Can I sell to customers in the UAE with a Shams license?

Yes. You can sell online and invoice clients anywhere in the UAE. If you want a physical shop or office outside the free zone, you’ll need a mainland license. 

Is Shams cheaper than other free zones?

Shams is among the most affordable free zones in the UAE. Its no-visa prices are similar to Ajman Free Zone and SPC, and its 1-visa package is one of the lowest in the market.  

How long does it take to set up a Shams company? 

Some packages offer instant licenses in just 60 minutes. If you need a visa, allow around 11–13 more working days. Urgent processing can shorten the visa process time for an extra AED 525.  

How much does a Shams freelance license cost?

Freelancers usually set up under the Media package, which starts at AED 5,760, as long as their work is media-related. If you need a residence visa, the Media package with one investor visa starts from AED 12,810, plus the medical test and health insurance. 

How much does a Shams e-commerce license cost?

E-commerce falls under the Media package, so a Shams e-commerce license starts at AED 5,760. With one investor visa, it starts from AED 12,810, plus the medical test and health insurance. 

Conclusion  

A Shams license can be issued in under an hour. Getting the budget right takes a little more thought: The right package, number of visas, and license term can save you thousands over the life of your business. 

That’s where we come in. Talk to a WealthTellers advisor today, and we’ll build your Shams setup around your plans.