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
A company whose purpose is to own shares, property and investments
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
If you are weighing up where to register in the UAE, Shams Free Zone deserves a close look for its media & creative focus and straightforward renewal process. From day one, 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. GoldenKey has guided hundreds of entrepreneurs through Shams Free Zone company formation, from name reservation to the moment the licence PDF lands in their inbox.
For most clients, one of the reasons we recommend Shams Free Zone is its media & creative focus, which matters more than most entrepreneurs realise once the business is running. As we tell every client, 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 granted. On the ground, established by the Sharjah Media Council.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
As a rule, the figures below for a Holding Company in 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 a Holding 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
In short, the document list for a Holding Company 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 clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- 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
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a companyif 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
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. For a Holding Company in Shams Free Zone this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
Your trade name is reserved with the Shams Free Zone authority and initial approval is obtained; this stage rarely takes more than two working days.
- 3
Document submission and payment
In short, you sign the application and memorandum, we file the attested paperwork with Shams Free Zone and the authority's licence fee is paid. Nothing is submitted for a Holding Company in Shams Free Zone until you have reviewed and approved it.
- 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?
Day to day, most Shams Free Zone licences can be issued remotely with scanned 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.
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 usually the same.
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.
Can I add more activities to my Shams Free Zone licence later?
Absolutely. 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.
How long does the Shams Free Zone licence take?
Once your supporting documents are complete, the authority typically issues the licence within 3 working days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Shams Free Zone?
Importantly, message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for a Holding Company in Shams Free Zone, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
About the Holding Company
Holding entities consolidate group ownership and benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying dividends and capital gains.
Why the UAE
The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for a Holding Company in Shams Free Zone and makes international pricing simple. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from a Holding Company in Shams Free Zone can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
Importantly, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which papers each of them will ask for on a Shams Free Zone file. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for a Holding Company in Shams Free Zone happen the same day they are ready. In short, our quotations for a Holding Company in Shams Free Zone list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, ahead of payment anything.
