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 Dutch nationals
Guide for Dutch founders · around 7 hours from Amsterdam
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
For most clients, 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. To be clear, shams Free Zone issues commercial, professional and industrial licences from its base in Sharjah, and GoldenKey processes new registrations there every week. GoldenKey has Dutch clients from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, and our consultants understand the paperwork released in Netherlands and how to attest them for the UAE. For Dutch founders, the UAE is around 7 hours from Amsterdam, the UAE is 2 to 3 hours ahead of the Netherlands, and English is used universally in both business cultures.
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 business days. As a rule, 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. In our experience, dutch applicants benefit from the fact that Shams Free Zone already has many Dutch shareholders on its register, so its officers recognise Netherlands paperwork and name formats instantly.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
To be clear, the figures below for Shams Free Zone company formation for Dutch nationals are updated by GoldenKey whenever the licensing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. To be clear, pricing for Shams Free Zone company formation for Dutch nationals 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 2026-10-29.
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 supporting documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of Shams Free Zone company formation for Dutch nationals.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- A passport released by Netherlands with at least six months' validity
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the countryif applicable
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zonesif applicable
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE residentif applicable
- Attested parent-company supporting documents 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
In short, 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 Shams Free Zone company formation for Dutch nationals, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
- 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
Just as important, you sign the application and memorandum, we file the attested paperwork with Shams Free Zone and the authority's licence fee is paid. If the authority raises a query on Shams Free Zone company formation for Dutch nationals at this stage, we handle it the same day.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
In practice, 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 FAQsHow many visas can I get with a Shams Free Zone licence?
Crucially, visa quota is tied to the package and office you choose. Shams Free Zone packages typically start from a zero-visa option and scale to five or more visas with a physical office, and additional visas can be added later for the per-visa fee shown in our pricing.
Do I need to visit the UAE to set up in Shams Free Zone?
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?
Once your documents are complete, the issuing authority typically issues the licence within 3 business days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Can a Dutch citizen own 100% of a company in Shams Free Zone?
Yes. Dutch nationals can own the full share capital of a Shams Free Zone company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Do Dutch nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Shams Free Zone?
No. You can apply for the licence from Netherlands with scanned documents, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Shams Free Zone?
To be clear, if you would like a written quotation for Shams Free Zone company formation for Dutch 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
The UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international customers and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for Shams Free Zone company formation for Dutch nationals. Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so Shams Free Zone company formation for Dutch nationals no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for Shams Free Zone company formation for Dutch nationals list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. Just as important, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which supporting documents each of them will ask for on a Shams Free Zone file. GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Shams Free Zone request, download your supporting documents and pay invoices from your phone.
