Free Zones / SHAMS
Sharjah · Sharjah Government · Est. 2017
Sharjah Media City (Shams) is a digital-first free zone designed for creative, media, and digital service businesses. Packages start from AED 5,750, supporting up to 20 visa allocations depending on facility selection, alongside moderate corporate banking access. Shams permits up to five business activities under a single license and provides an online onboarding workflow.
From
AED 5,750
Year 1
Quick facts
Media License (0 Visa)
AED 5,750
— · Flexi Desk · 0 visas
Renews at AED 5,750
Standard License (0 Visa)
AED 6,875
— · Flexi Desk · 0 visas
Renews at AED 6,875
Flexi-Desk + 1 Visa Package
AED 19,620
— · Flexi Desk · 1 visa
Renews at AED 15,520
Flexi-Desk + 2 Visa Package
AED 26,015
— · Flexi Desk · 2 visas
Renews at AED 21,915
Shared Desk + 3 Visa Package
AED 31,655
— · Dedicated Desk · 3 visas
Renews at AED 27,555
Advisory Estimate
AED 12,150
— · 0 visas
Renews at AED 9,000
Estimated
Features
Mainland trading
Dual licence allowed
Forensic analysis
Substance
Medium
Audit risk
Moderate
Forensic ease
7/10
Digital-First Node; High Exposure to 'Management & Control' Audits.
SHAMS is a premier hub for the creative and digital economy.
Go deeper — instantly with AI, or with a setup consultant.
How much does it cost to set up in SHAMS?
The cheapest published package for Sharjah Media City is Media License (0 Visa) at AED 5,750 for Year 1, renewing at AED 5,750. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.
Is banking easy to set up with a SHAMS licence?
Banking difficulty for SHAMS is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include Wio Bank, Mashreq Neo, Mashreq NeoBiz, RAKBANK.
Crypto-friendly
Shared ownership
Coworking available
Online portal
Audit required
Common pitfalls
Prefer a human? A licensed setup consultant from our network will review your case and reach out directly — no charge to inquire.
Response within 2–3 business days