License Cost
Licence only · upgrade to visas anytime
AED 6,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Upgrade to visas anytime
- Company name reservation
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
FREE ZONE · SHARJAH
Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone
An extension of an existing overseas company rather than a new legal entity
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 10 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- Free ZoneLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 10 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 5,280Renewal cost
About Shams Free Zone
Why Shams Free Zone
In short, shams Free Zone combines media & creative focus with the flexibility to add activities and visas later, which is why it suits both first-time company owners and established groups. If you are weighing up where to register in the UAE, Shams Free Zone deserves a close look for its media & creative focus and uncomplicated renewal process. A Shams Free Zone company can be owned entirely by foreign nationals, needs no local sponsor and can start trading internationally as soon as the licence is granted.
To be clear, one of the reasons we recommend Shams Free Zone is its media & creative focus, which matters more than most founders realise once the business is running. Just as important, office options in Shams Free Zone range from virtual office, flexi-desk or office suite, so you only pay for the space your visa quota actually needs. Unlike some zones, Shams Free Zone does not require a large paid-up capital to be blocked in a bank account before the licence is issued.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Pricing for a Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. In short, all prices for a Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
License Plus Visa Quota
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 8,475
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 10,075
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 11,675
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
4 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 13,275
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 4 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
5 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 14,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 5 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
6 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 16,575
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 6 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
7 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 18,075
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 7 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
8 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 19,675
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 8 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
9 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 21,275
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 9 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
10 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 22,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 10 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 2,420
Annual renewalAED 5,280
Bank account assistanceAED 1,650
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-27.
Business activities
Explore 834 business activities in Shams Free Zone
Shams Free Zone lets you combine related activities on one licence. Search by what your business does — in English or Arabic — and quote the GK code when you ask for a quotation.
GK-SHAMS-001PrintingMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-002Printing of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals, books and brochures, music and music manuscripts, maps, atlases, posters, advertising catalogues, prospectuses and other printed advertising, postage stamps, taxation stamps, documents of title, cheMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-003Printing directly onto textiles, plastic, glass, metal, wood and ceramics (except silkscreen printing on textiles and wearing apparel)
the material printed is typically copyrighted.MediaGK-SHAMS-004Printing on labels or tags (lithographic, gravure printing, flexographic printing, other)MediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-005Multi dimensional printing servicesMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-006Printing,Advertising Agencies And Event OrganizingMediaApproval requiredPopular choices · 834 activities availableAll 834 Shams Free Zone activities
Required documents
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of a Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visaif applicable
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the countryif applicable
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activitiesif applicable
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a companyif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Our process
How Shams Free Zone works with GoldenKey
- 1
Consultation and activity selection
In the first call we check that Shams Free Zone lists your activity, settle the licence type and match the visa package and office to what you actually need. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to a Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name with the Shams Free Zone authority and obtains initial approval, usually within one to two working days (Monday to Friday).
- 3
Document submission and payment
Crucially, with the forms and memorandum signed, GoldenKey lodges the attested documents and settles the licence fee with the authority on your behalf. Your portal shows the status of this step for a Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone in real time.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Once the Shams Free Zone licence and company documents are released, we move immediately to the immigration file, residence visas and the bank meeting.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Shams Free Zone. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsDo I need to visit the UAE to set up in Shams Free Zone?
As a rule, most Shams Free Zone licences can be issued remotely with scanned papers and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your residence visa is handled.
How long does the Shams Free Zone licence take?
In practice, once your supporting documents are complete, the authority in most cases issues the licence within 3 working days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Can I add more activities to my Shams Free Zone licence later?
Yes, it can. Shams Free Zone allows activity additions and changes through a licence amendment, which GoldenKey can process in a few working days for a small authority fee.
Can I open a UAE bank account with a Shams Free Zone company?
Yes, Shams Free Zone companies open accounts with UAE banks every day. Approval depends on the bank's compliance review of your profile, business plan and documents, and GoldenKey prepares the file and introduces you to a suitable bank.
What is the difference between an FZE and an FZCO in Shams Free Zone?
An FZE has one shareholder and an FZCO has two or more. Both offer limited liability and 100% foreign ownership, and the fees in Shams Free Zone are typically the same.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Shams Free Zone?
Message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for a Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
About the Branch of a Foreign Company
A branch carries the parent's name and liability, needs attested parent documents and a board resolution, and suits groups that want a UAE presence without a separate entity.
Why the UAE
The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for a Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone. On the ground, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies a Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone for international founders.
Why GoldenKey
Importantly, we speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for a Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone. Most of our Shams Free Zone customers come to us through referrals from other business owners, so we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. GoldenKey's consultants have handled a Branch of a Foreign Company in Shams Free Zone for traders, consultants, tech company owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly.
