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 Saudi nationals
Guide for Saudi founders · around 2 hours from Riyadh
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, shams Free Zone combines media & creative focus with the flexibility to add activities and visas later, which is why it suits both first-time business owners and established groups. Just as important, shams Free Zone issues commercial, professional and industrial licences from its base in Sharjah, and GoldenKey processes new registrations there every week. Day to day, the most common businesses Saudi nationals open through GoldenKey are in trading, real estate, hospitality and investment holding, although Shams Free Zone supports almost any activity. Saudi nationals are GCC nationals enjoy special status in the UAE and can own mainland businesses with the same rights as Emiratis in most activities, so the Shams Free Zone authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Saudi applications every day and process them without hesitation.
In practice, 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. On the ground, 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 released. Saudi applicants benefit from the fact that Shams Free Zone already has many Saudi shareholders on its register, so its officers recognise Saudi Arabia paperwork and name formats instantly.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
The figures below for Shams Free Zone company formation for Saudi nationals are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. On the ground, use the table below to compare packages for Shams Free Zone company formation for Saudi 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
For Shams Free Zone company formation for Saudi nationals the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- A passport issued by Saudi Arabia with at least six months' validity
- Educational certificates attested by the Saudi Arabia authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- Your current residency visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE residentif applicable
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the countryif applicable
- A police clearance certificate from Saudi Arabia if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires itif applicable
- Attested parent-company 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
GoldenKey starts by confirming your activity is available in Shams Free Zone, then agrees the licence category, visa quota and office option with you in writing.
- 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. For Shams Free Zone company formation for Saudi nationals this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
- 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.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
From day one, shams Free Zone issues the licence, incorporation certificate and lease; from there we open the establishment card, process visas and arrange your bank introduction. If the authority raises a query on Shams Free Zone company formation for Saudi nationals at this stage, we handle it the same day.
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?
Once your documents are complete, the authority generally 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?
Absolutely. 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.
Is an audit required for a Shams Free Zone company?
In our experience, 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.
Do Saudi nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Shams Free Zone?
No. You can apply for the licence from Saudi Arabia with scanned documents, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
Can a Saudi citizen own 100% of a company in Shams Free Zone?
Yes — Saudi 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?
As we tell every client, message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for Shams Free Zone company formation for Saudi nationals, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
Why the UAE
Just as important, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so Shams Free Zone company formation for Saudi nationals no longer requires a local partner. In our experience, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies Shams Free Zone company formation for Saudi nationals for international entrepreneurs.
Why GoldenKey
Day to day, after your Shams Free Zone licence is granted, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice. 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 Saudi nationals. Just as important, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which documents each of them will ask for on a Shams Free Zone file.
