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
Shams Free Zone Documents Checklist
Sharjah's media free zone — creative and digital licences from AED 5,750
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 practice, shams Free Zone is Sharjah's media free zone — creative and digital licences from AED 5,750, and it has become one of the most practical choices for entrepreneurs who want a UAE licence without a large upfront budget. 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 released. In practice, founders choose Shams Free Zone when they want a credible UAE address, fast licensing and packages that scale from a solo flexi-desk to a multi-visa office.
Popular activities in Shams Free Zone include media, advertising, publishing, creative services and digital marketing, and most of them can be combined on a single licence. Part of Sharjah's cultural and creative economy initiative. Shams Free Zone licences are renewed annually with a simple online payment and updated passport copies, and GoldenKey sends a reminder 60 days before the due date.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
The figures below for preparing documents for Shams Free Zone are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. All prices for preparing supporting documents for Shams Free Zone are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands.
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
As a rule, for preparing documents for Shams Free Zone the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
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
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE residentif applicable
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visaif applicable
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zonesif applicable
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the countryif 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
Importantly, we confirm that your activity is available in Shams Free Zone, choose the licence type and agree the visa package and office option that match your plan. If the authority raises a query on preparing documents for Shams Free Zone at this stage, we handle it the same day.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
We submit your preferred trade names to Shams Free Zone and secure initial approval, normally within a day or two of submission.
- 3
Document submission and payment
With the forms and memorandum signed, GoldenKey lodges the attested supporting documents and settles the licence fee with the licensing authority on your behalf. We keep a written record of this step so your file for preparing documents for Shams Free Zone is audit-ready.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
In practice, 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 FAQsIs an audit required for a Shams Free Zone company?
In practice, requirements vary by zone and by company size. GoldenKey will confirm the current Shams Free Zone rule when we prepare your quotation, and we provide bookkeeping if you need accounts in any case for corporate tax.
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 as a rule the same.
Do I need to visit the UAE to set up in Shams Free Zone?
For most clients, most Shams Free Zone licences can be issued remotely with scanned supporting documents 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 processed.
How many visas can I get with a Shams Free Zone licence?
On the ground, visa quota is tied to the package and office you choose. Shams Free Zone packages typically start from a zero-visa option and scale to five or more visas with a physical office, and additional visas can be added later for the per-visa fee shown in our pricing.
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.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Shams Free Zone?
Message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for preparing documents for Shams Free Zone, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
Signatures and powers of attorney
Importantly, most Shams Free Zone applications are signed electronically. If you prefer not to travel, a notarised power of attorney lets GoldenKey sign on your behalf for the licence stage; visa biometrics still require your presence in the UAE.
Why the UAE
For most clients, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes preparing papers for Shams Free Zone a route to relocation as well as a business decision. 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 preparing paperwork for Shams Free Zone.
Why GoldenKey
For most clients, we will tell you plainly if Shams Free Zone is not the right choice for your plan and point you to a better option, even when that option costs less. Our quotations for preparing documents for Shams Free Zone list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before a single dirham changes hands anything. In short, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Shams Free Zone file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the file sit.
