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
Fintech & Payments in Shams Free Zone
Payment technology, lending platforms, wealth-tech and financial software
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
As we tell every client, 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 founders who want a UAE licence without a large upfront budget. 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. Typical examples of this activity include payment gateway tech, BNPL platform, wealth-tech app and regtech, which can as a rule sit together on one Shams Free Zone licence. For most clients, building financial software is a technology licence. Handling client money, lending, or issuing payment instruments requires Central Bank, DFSA or FSRA authorisation. Many founders start with a tech licence and apply for regulatory sandbox entry.
From day one, shams Free Zone is located in Sharjah emirate — close to Sharjah International Airport, and the authority's processing time for a standard file is around 3 working days (Monday to Friday). In short, 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. Shams Free Zone is a sensible home for fintech & payments because payment technology, lending platforms, wealth-tech and financial software is a well-understood activity there and the approvals are routine.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Crucially, the figures below for fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone are updated by GoldenKey whenever the licensing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. From day one, pricing for fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
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 2026-10-28.
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
Importantly, the document list for fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone is short, and most customers already have everything on it.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activitiesif applicable
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zonesif applicable
- 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
- Attested parent-company papers 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
GoldenKey starts by confirming your activity is available in Shams Free Zone, then agrees the licence category, visa quota and office option with you in writing. We keep a written record of this step so your file for fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone is audit-ready.
- 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
You sign the application forms and memorandum, we submit the attested paperwork and the licence fee is paid to the registrar. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Your Shams Free Zone licence, certificate of incorporation and lease are released, and we move straight on to the establishment card, visas and bank introduction.
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?
Most Shams Free Zone licences can be released remotely with scanned paperwork and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your residency visa is processed.
Is an audit required for a Shams Free Zone company?
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.
How long does the Shams Free Zone licence take?
Once your paperwork are complete, the registrar typically issues the licence within 3 working days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Is fintech & payments allowed in Shams Free Zone?
Yes. Fintech & Payments is an available activity in {ent}, and GoldenKey lists the exact sub-activities on your licence. CBUAE, DFSA (DIFC) or FSRA (ADGM) for regulated activity.
Can I combine fintech & payments with other activities?
In most cases yes. Related activities can share one licence, while unrelated ones may need a general trading licence or a second licence.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Shams Free Zone?
Ready to start? Send us a WhatsApp message with your nationality, the activity you have in mind and the number of visas you need, and we will reply shortly with a written quotation for fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
Why the UAE
On the ground, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. 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 fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone.
Why GoldenKey
For most clients, we speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone. GoldenKey's consultants have handled fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone for traders, consultants, tech business owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves fast. Our quotations for fintech & payments in Shams Free Zone list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, ahead of payment anything.
