Sharjah Media City
The UAE's creative hub — media, content, and publishing at Sharjah's most affordable free zone.
Emirate
Sharjah
Est.
2017
Cost/Year
AED 5,500 – 15,000 / year
Setup Time
3–7 working days
Visas
Up to 6 visas on standard packages
Office
Flexi-desk and virtual office available
About SHAMS
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City), established in 2017, has rapidly become one of the UAE's most popular free zones for media, content creation, publishing, and creative industries. Positioned as Sharjah's answer to Dubai's TECOM media zones, SHAMS offers extremely competitive pricing — often the lowest in the UAE for service-based businesses — while allowing a wide range of media, consulting, and trading activities. Sharjah's location adjacent to Dubai makes it highly practical for businesses with Dubai-based clients.
Ideal for
Content creators, social media influencers, freelancers, media companies, publishers, advertising agencies, photographers, videographers, and journalists.
Pros & Considerations
Advantages
- One of the cheapest free zones in the UAE — from AED 5,500/year
- Freelancer licence available (individual-based)
- Creative and media focus — ideal for content-driven businesses
- Adjacent to Dubai — same-day commute practical
- Wide range of activities including non-media consulting/trading
- Fast 3–7 day setup
- Sharjah government backing and stability
Watch out for
- Sharjah address — less prestigious than Dubai for some clients
- Banking can be slightly harder vs Dubai-registered companies
- Media/creative focus means some industrial or financial activities are restricted
- Limited infrastructure for physical goods businesses
Licence Types
Popular Business Activities
Permitted activities vary — we confirm your specific activity before registration.
Setup Process
Activity & Licence Selection
Choose between media licence, freelancer licence, or general commercial licence. Activity list is broad.
Document Upload
Passport copy, photo, and basic personal details. Process is fully online.
Approval & Payment
Approval within 1–2 working days. Licence fees paid online.
Licence Issuance
Digital licence issued within 3–7 working days. Physical certificate couriered.
Visa & Banking
Visa processing begins. Bank account applications prepared.
Cost Breakdown
| Licence fee (annual) | AED 5,500 – 15,000 / year |
| Registration / one-time fees | AED 2,000–5,000 (one-time) |
| Visa cost (per person) | AED 3,500–5,500 |
| Emirates ID (per person) | AED 370 |
| Medical test (per person) | AED 300–600 |
| goCorp service feeIncluded | Advisory — get a quote |
| Bank account setup | Advisory — get a quote |
One of the most affordable free zones in the UAE. Flexi-desk and virtual office packages available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Started
Set up in SHAMS today
Free consultation, full quote, and end-to-end formation support. Typical timeline: 3–7 working days.
Get a free quote Talk to an expertQuick Specs
Emirate
Sharjah
Founded
2017
Setup Timeline
3–7 working days
Annual Cost
AED 5,500 – 15,000 / year
Visa Allocation
Up to 6 visas on standard packages. Additional visas available with office upgrade.
Office Requirement
Flexi-desk and virtual office available. Physical offices also available in Sharjah.
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