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
Holding Company in Shams Free Zone
Owning shares in subsidiaries, property and investments under one parent 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 founders and established groups. 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. In practice, holding structures are commonly set up in free zones or as offshore companies to consolidate ownership, simplify succession and benefit from the UAE's 0% corporate tax on qualifying dividends and capital gains. From day one, external approvals for holding company are: none; economic substance rules may apply.
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. On the ground, 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. GoldenKey has licensed holding company in Shams Free Zone for customers ranging from solo company owners to groups opening a regional branch, so we know which sub-activities to list.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Importantly, use the table below to compare packages for holding company in Shams Free Zone; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. In our experience, the figures below for holding company in Shams Free Zone are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
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
The document list for holding company in Shams Free Zone is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Group structure chart
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the countryif applicable
- Attested parent-company supporting documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a companyif applicable
- Your current 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
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
As we tell every client, 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.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
Day to day, your trade name is reserved with the Shams Free Zone authority and initial approval is obtained; this stage rarely takes more than two business days. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for holding company in Shams Free Zone.
- 3
Document submission and payment
You sign the application and memorandum, we file the attested paperwork with Shams Free Zone and the authority's licence fee is paid.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Shams Free Zone issues the licence, incorporation certificate and lease; from there we open the establishment card, process visas and arrange your bank introduction. For holding company in Shams Free Zone, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Shams Free Zone. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsHow long does the Shams Free Zone licence take?
Put simply, once your papers are complete, the authority typically issues the licence within 3 working days (Monday to Friday). Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Can a Shams Free Zone company do business on the UAE mainland?
A Shams Free Zone company can sell to mainland customers through a mainland distributor, invoice services to mainland clients in most cases, and apply for a dual-licence arrangement where the emirate offers one. Direct retail or on-site contracting on the mainland needs a mainland licence.
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.
Which licence type covers holding company?
In practice, holding Company is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
Can I combine holding company 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?
Day to day, tell us about your plans for holding company in Shams Free Zone and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
Why the UAE
The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for holding company in Shams Free Zone and makes international pricing simple. In our experience, banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of holding company in Shams Free Zone predictable.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Shams Free Zone application, download your paperwork and pay invoices from your phone. GoldenKey's consultants have handled holding company 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. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped business owners from more than 60 countries with holding company in Shams Free Zone, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
