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 Company Formation for French nationals
Guide for French founders · around 7 hours from Paris
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
To be clear, shams Free Zone combines media & creative focus with the flexibility to add activities and visas later, so it suits both first-time founders and established groups. Setting up a company in Shams Free Zone gives you 100% ownership, a UAE trade licence and the option to sponsor residence visas for yourself and your family. From day one, the most common businesses French nationals open through GoldenKey are in luxury retail, hospitality, aviation and energy, although Shams Free Zone supports almost any activity. French brands and groups have a major footprint in the UAE, from Louvre Abu Dhabi to the Sorbonne campus, which gives French entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Shams Free Zone licence is issued.
One of the reasons we suggest Shams Free Zone is its media & creative focus, which matters more than most company owners realise once the business is running. 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. GoldenKey has prepared Shams Free Zone files for French clients in luxury retail, hospitality, aviation and energy, which means we know which France supporting documents need attestation and which can be submitted as plain copies.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Pricing for Shams Free Zone company formation for French nationals depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. For most clients, use the table below to compare packages for Shams Free Zone company formation for French nationals; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
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 2026-10-29.
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 Shams Free Zone company formation for French nationals.
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 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
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a companyif applicable
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE residentif applicable
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activitiesif 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
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. Your portal shows the status of this step for Shams Free Zone company formation for French nationals in real time.
- 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 business days.
- 3
Document submission and payment
You sign the submission and memorandum, we file the attested paperwork with Shams Free Zone and the authority's licence fee is paid. We keep a written record of this step so your file for Shams Free Zone company formation for French nationals is audit-ready.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Day to day, 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?
Importantly, 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 long does the Shams Free Zone licence take?
As we tell every client, once your documents are complete, the issuing authority normally 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. Shams Free Zone allows activity additions and changes through a licence amendment, which GoldenKey can process in a few business days for a small authority fee.
Can a French citizen own 100% of a company in Shams Free Zone?
Yes. French nationals can own the full share capital of a Shams Free Zone company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Can my family from France join me?
In short, once your investor visa is granted you can sponsor your spouse and children, and GoldenKey processes their visas alongside yours.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Shams Free Zone?
Call or WhatsApp GoldenKey today and a consultant will walk you through Shams Free Zone company formation for French nationals step by step, with no obligation and no pressure.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
Why the UAE
Crucially, banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of Shams Free Zone company formation for French nationals predictable. Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so Shams Free Zone company formation for French nationals no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
Most of our Shams Free Zone clients come to us through referrals from other founders, so we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. On the ground, we speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for Shams Free Zone company formation for French nationals. GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Shams Free Zone request, download your documents and pay invoices from your phone.
