FREE ZONES · SHAMS
SHAMS: the cheapest genuine entry in the country
Sharjah Media City licences from AED 5,750. It is genuinely cheap rather than headline cheap, and the trade is address perception at the bank.
AT A GLANCE
The numbers that matter.
AED 5,750
Licence, 0 visas
Indicative
AED 18k to 24k
All-in year one, 2 visas
Indicative
Sharjah
Address
Media and e-commerce focus
Low
Renewal
Renewal stays close to the entry price
| Line | Amount | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence, 0 visas | AED 5,750 | IndicativeIndicative | Media, e-commerce and services activities |
| Establishment card | AED 2,000 to 2,500 | IndicativeIndicative | Required before any visa |
| Per visa, all-in | AED 3,500 to 5,000 | IndicativeIndicative | Sharjah medical and Emirates ID processing |
| All-in year one, 2 visas | AED 18,000 to 24,000 | IndicativeIndicative | One shareholder, one activity |
Free zones change pricing frequently and run promotions. Confirm the current schedule before committing. Figures marked Indicative come from registered agents and consultancies and must be verified against the zone's current schedule.
Last updated 13 August 2026 Next review Q4 2026
THE READ
Who it suits, and when it does not.
It suits
Freelancers, content and media businesses, and e-commerce operators whose clients are international and who do not need a Dubai address.
Look elsewhere if
Some banks apply extra scrutiny to low-cost northern emirate zones. If you need a tier-one corporate account in weeks rather than months, factor that in.
QUESTIONS
Asked about this zone.
Can a SHAMS company get a Dubai bank account?
Yes, but expect more questions than a DMCC company would face. Substance, a clear business model and named counterparties matter more than the emirate of registration.
Can I invoice Dubai clients from SHAMS?
You can contract internationally without issue, but selling into the UAE mainland needs a distributor, a branch or a dual licence, and mainland income is non-qualifying for the 0 percent corporate tax regime.
SIDE BY SIDE
The other five zones, priced the same way.
IFZA
Consultancies, agencies and holding-plus-service businesses that need a Dubai address at the lowest defensible cost, with a broad activity list and fast issuance.
Open FREE ZONEMEYDAN
Small consultancies and e-commerce operators who want a Dubai address, a simple flexi-desk and predictable per-visa pricing.
Open FREE ZONEDMCC
Commodities and trading businesses, companies that need to bank quickly with a tier-one bank, and any structure where counterparty perception matters more than the licence fee.
Open FREE ZONERAKEZ
Trading, light industrial and service businesses that want a low cost base with real physical space options.
Open FREE ZONEDIFC
Funds, advisory firms, family offices and anyone who needs English common law with a Dubai footprint and a recognised financial regulator.
OpenGO DEEPER
The pages behind this one.
RAKEZ
Low cost northern emirate zone where audit is often waived.
OpenIFZA
Dubai address, agent-only sales, and the renewal reality.
OpenWhat setup actually costs
The all-in year one number once a visa is attached, zone by zone, with an estimator.
OpenBanking
The step where UAE plans actually fail. Timelines, scrutiny and rejection reality.
OpenCorporate tax and the 0 percent myth
The seven QFZP conditions in full, Small Business Relief and how companies actually fail.
OpenThe free zone directory
Which zone suits which business, and what each one really charges.
Open