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 Japanese nationals
Guide for Japanese founders · around 10 hours from Tokyo
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, 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. 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. For Japanese company owners, the UAE is around 10 hours from Tokyo, 5 hours ahead of the UAE, and English is the working language; Japanese-speaking support is available via partners. GoldenKey has Japanese clients from Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, and our consultants understand the documents issued in Japan and how to attest them for the UAE.
One of the reasons we suggest Shams Free Zone is its media & creative focus, which matters more than most founders realise once the business is running. 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. Crucially, japanese applicants benefit from the fact that Shams Free Zone already has many Japanese shareholders on its register, so its officers recognise Japan supporting documents and name formats instantly.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Use the table below to compare packages for Shams Free Zone company formation for Japanese nationals; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. For most clients, all prices for Shams Free Zone company formation for Japanese nationals 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 2026-10-29.
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 Shams Free Zone company formation for Japanese nationals 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
- Educational certificates attested by the Japan authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A bank statement from your Japan bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activitiesif applicable
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a companyif applicable
- A police clearance certificate from Japan if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires itif 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. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for Shams Free Zone company formation for Japanese nationals.
- 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 working days.
- 3
Document submission and payment
To be clear, with the forms and memorandum signed, GoldenKey lodges the attested supporting documents and settles the licence fee with the registrar on your behalf. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to Shams Free Zone company formation for Japanese nationals.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
In our experience, shams Free Zone issues the licence, incorporation certificate and lease; from there we open the establishment card, process visas and arrange your 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?
In our experience, 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 completed.
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 nine times out of ten, 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?
Yes. Shams Free Zone allows activity additions and changes through a licence amendment, which GoldenKey can process in a few working days for a small authority fee.
Do Japanese nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Shams Free Zone?
No — You can apply for the licence from Japan with scanned supporting documents, and the investor UAE residence visa is processed afterwards.
Can a Japanese citizen own 100% of a company in Shams Free Zone?
It can. Japanese nationals can own the full share capital of a Shams Free Zone company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Shams Free Zone?
If you would like a written quotation for Shams Free Zone company formation for Japanese nationals, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
Why the UAE
For most clients, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes Shams Free Zone company formation for Japanese nationals a route to relocation as well as a business decision. As we tell every client, the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for Shams Free Zone company formation for Japanese nationals and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
In our experience, every Shams Free Zone package we quote already includes the licence, registration, the establishment card where applicable and our full assistance, with no hidden add-ons at the end. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for Shams Free Zone company formation for Japanese nationals happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey's consultants have handled Shams Free Zone company formation for Japanese nationals for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves promptly.
