Sharjah Media City (Shams) is one of the most popular and affordable free zones in the UAE, particularly for freelancers, media companies, and digital businesses. Here is a complete 2025 guide to Shams Free Zone.
About Shams Free Zone
Shams (Sharjah Media City) was launched in 2017 and has quickly grown into one of the UAE’s largest free zones by licence count. Shams offers: one of the lowest entry prices for a UAE free zone licence, a quick online setup process (3-7 days), and a wide range of activity types (not just media, despite the name). Popular activities at Shams: media and content production, digital marketing and social media, event management, training and coaching, photography and videography, general consultancy, technology and software, and e-commerce. Note: Shams is a media city free zone but accepts a wider range of professional and media-adjacent activities.
Shams Pricing in 2025
Shams is one of the most price-competitive free zones in the UAE: Freelancer package: from AED 5,500/year (single professional, no physical office, no visa included but can add visa). Solo entrepreneur package: from AED 8,500/year (includes 1 visa allocation). Business package: from AED 12,000-18,000/year (includes physical office and 2-3 visas). Visa cost (if adding to a package): approximately AED 3,000-4,500 per visa (government fees). Shams accepts payment by credit card and has a fully online setup process.
Shams Limitations
Shams is excellent for freelancers and small businesses but has limitations compared to larger free zones: No physical address in Dubai (office is in Sharjah). Some UAE banks may ask for an additional document (like an audited account or utility bill) for Shams-licensed companies during bank account opening. Activity restrictions: while broader than its name implies, Shams does not permit all activities. Verify your specific activities on the Shams website before applying.
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHAMS | Standard annual package | AED 6,875 official Standard annual package Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 6,875 fixed renewal for the unchanged Standard package; terms and conditions apply Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 20,625 calculated across three fixed Standard annual periods; terms and conditions apply Confidence: Verified official price |
Visa allocation is package-dependent; visa processing is separate unless the selected package states otherwise | Flexi-desk is listed with the Standard package; workspace and visa terms remain package-dependent | Verified official price | Official SHAMS package page; three-year total is documented arithmetic | No material public conflict recorded | July 2026 |
| What is included | The official Standard row lists an AED 6,875 annual business licence with flexi-desk. SHAMS also publishes fixed renewal pricing for the lifetime of the business, subject to terms and conditions. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Visa processing, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, extra activities, workspace upgrades and banking support unless the selected package states otherwise. |
| Hidden-cost risk | SHAMS also advertises a separate Media package from AED 5,750. Do not blend the Media and Standard configurations or assume visa-inclusive totals from the Standard licence-only row. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium |
| Best fit | Media, creator, consultancy, digital service and founder-led businesses that fit the SHAMS activity list. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed July 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.