SHAMS – Sharjah Media City

Overview

SHAMS (Sharjah Media City Free Zone) is the most affordable freezone in the UAE, purpose-built to serve media, creative, and digital businesses. Located in Sharjah, it offers instant licence issuance and zero-visa packages that make it the entry-level choice for freelancers, content creators, and small agencies looking to establish a UAE legal presence at minimal cost.

Despite its media focus, SHAMS permits a broad range of activities including consulting, e-commerce, IT services, and general trading, making it more versatile than its name suggests.

Ideal For

SHAMS is the best fit for freelancers, content creators, social media agencies, graphic designers, small e-commerce operators, and consultants who prioritise cost above all else. It suits business owners who already hold a UAE residence visa or who plan to work remotely without needing visa sponsorship. If you need a trade licence for invoicing or registering on marketplaces, SHAMS delivers at the lowest price.

Setup Process

SHAMS offers one of the fastest registration experiences in the UAE. Licences can be issued within 24 hours, and in many cases the entire process is completed online. You choose your activity, submit your passport copy and application, pay the fees, and receive a digital licence. Visa processing, if required, takes an additional 2 to 3 weeks.

See our Fastest Freezone Setup guide for a comparison of turnaround times.

Costs

First-year costs start from approximately AED 6,000 for a zero-visa freelancer package and range up to AED 15,000 with visa allocations and additional activities. These are the lowest published rates of any UAE freezone. Our Cheapest UAE Freezones guide provides a side-by-side breakdown.

Pros and Cons

The strengths are clear: SHAMS is the cheapest way to get a UAE trade licence, with instant issuance and a fully digital process. Zero-visa packages remove the cost of visa sponsorship for those who do not need it. The media-oriented activity list suits creative professionals well.

The downsides are equally clear. A Sharjah address carries less prestige than Dubai, which can matter for client perception. Visa allocation is capped at six. Banking is more challenging than with Dubai freezones like DMCC, and some banks may decline applications from SHAMS-licensed companies. For media businesses that need more credibility, twofour54 in Abu Dhabi is worth considering.

Related Freezones

Meydan offers similar pricing within Dubai. RAKEZ provides the lowest costs with higher visa caps. twofour54 is the premium media-focused alternative.