How much does Shams company setup cost in 2026?
Sharjah Media City (Shams) sets its fees, and we show them apart from ours. The table lists what you pay to the authorities and what Startex charges. Our service fee is quoted in writing before you pay anything.
| Item | Government fee (paid to) | Startex service fee |
|---|---|---|
| License and company registration, no visa | About AED 6,875 on a published schedule (Shams) | From AED 5,750 without a visa |
| License with one residence visa | About AED 14,300 in total, including the establishment card, entry permit, medical and Emirates ID (Shams and GDRFA) | Quoted separately |
| License with two visas | About AED 18,500 in total (Shams and GDRFA) | Quoted separately |
| License with three visas | About AED 22,600 in total (Shams and GDRFA) | Quoted separately |
| Freelance permit for a solo professional | Priced by Shams, lower than a company license (Shams) | Quoted separately |
| Annual renewal | Confirmed before you renew (Shams) | Quoted separately |
Ranges at the time of writing, October 2026, checked against Shams's published information and current package schedules. Packages change, so we confirm the live figure before we quote.
What does a Shams package include?
- A Sharjah free zone license with 100 percent ownership and a trade name with the suffix LLC.
- Up to five activities on our package, chosen with our free activity consultation.
- A focus on media and creative work, with company licenses and freelance permits side by side.
- Full Startex concierge support, from the trade name to the visa and bank file.
Shams focuses on media, content, creative and consultancy activities. Broadcast and some regulated media activities need extra approval. Freelance permits are available for solo professionals. Goods cannot be traded directly onshore without a distributor, so product companies usually look at other zones.
What are the Shams visa and office rules?
Shams packages are desk-based, which is enough for media, content and consultancy work. A physical unit is optional and priced by the zone. The first residence visa carries the establishment card, so it costs more than the second and third visas, which are cheaper add-ons.
For the full range of visa costs and quotas by route, see our business setup cost guide and the PRO services we use to file them.
Who does Shams suit, and who should look elsewhere?
Shams suits:
- Media, content, design, marketing and consultancy businesses.
- Solo professionals who may start with a freelance permit before forming a company.
- Founders who want the lowest published entry price among our zones.
Shams is a weaker fit for:
- Product traders who need to sell goods onshore directly.
- Companies that need a Dubai address, because Sharjah has a different business community.
- Broadcast or regulated media projects, which add approvals and time.
How long does Shams setup take?
| Step | Typical time | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name and application | Days 1 to 3 | Shams |
| License issued | About one week | Shams |
| Establishment card | About week 2 | Immigration |
| Residence visa, per person | Weeks 2 to 3, then 1 to 2 weeks per person | GDRFA and ICP |
| Corporate bank account | Several weeks | The bank |
What are the steps to set up a Shams company?
- Choose the activities you will list, so the license matches what you sell.
- Pick the package that fits your visas and office, and confirm what Shams includes.
- Send the documents: passport copies, photographs and, for company shareholders, attested papers.
- Sign and pay the Shams application and receive the license.
- Apply for the establishment card, visas and bank account.
How does Shams compare with other free zones?
| Zone | License cost from | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shams | AED 5,750 to 6,900 | Media, creative, content and consultancy businesses that want a low-cost Sharjah free zone license. |
| IFZA | AED 12,400 to 12,900 | Consultants, traders and online businesses that want a Dubai license at a low entry price. |
| Meydan | AED 12,500 | Startups and solo founders that want a Dubai government free zone with a flexi desk and instant licensing. |
| SPC Free Zone | AED 4,999 to 6,875 | E-commerce, publishing, consultancy and trading businesses that want low fees and a fast, digital license. |
Not sure which zone fits? Read free zone vs mainland vs offshore, or compare all seven on the free zone setup cost page.
Fee ranges are for Sharjah Media City (Shams) and were checked in October 2026. Official sources: Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) and GDRFA Dubai. Startex Hub is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with Shams.