Sharjah Media city free zone is located in the emirates of Sharjah, one of the third largest and third most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, forming part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. Sharjah Media City (Shams) was introduced in January 2017 with an object of enhancing creative & media related business activities in the region. Shams covers wide range of business activities for those who wish to enter into their entrepreneurial journey in the UAE with a cost efficient company set up option. Aiming to be a super duper world class hub in terms of facilities and services, Shams has provided investor friendly approach to attract wide range of entrepreneurs across the Globe. 

Why Shams free zone

The Shams Free Zone is located in an area known for tourism and offers both business and talented professionals. It provides infrastructure of a world-class standard, as well as services and amenities that support a diverse, modern culture, economy, education and modernity.

Shams is one of the newest and most adventurous free zones that is now being made available in the UAE. This free zone is offering trade licenses to new companies, entrepreneurs and freelancers in a variety of different industries. This allows start-ups and SMEs access so they can establish themselves and grow, both in the local business environment and globally too. Shams offers not only a great business environment community, but it has many community-oriented services that add so much more to this great business venue

Key Benefits of setting up Shams Free Zone Company:

  1. Wide range of business activities. Offers Holding Company as a license activity which is not common with many other free zones.
  2. Hassle free company registration process. Owners/ directors do not need to visit UAE.
  3. No need to show the capital in the bank account.
  4. Up to 6 visas can be obtained from one company and no requirement for minimum office.
  5. Corporate Manager or Director can be appointed in UAE; no need for individual Manager/Director.
  6. Companies registered in Shams will be Limited Liability Company (LLC).
  7. No personal and corporate tax applicable.
  8. Near to Sharjah & Dubai International airport. 
  9. 100% repatriation of capital and profits.
  10. 100% Foreign Ownership permitted.

Type of License in Sharjah Media City Free Zone:

  1. Service.    C. Trading.
  2. Industrial.   D. Holding.

Shams Limited Liability company (LLC)

A Shams limited liability company (LLC) is an independent entity whereby the company structure separates the owners and shareholders from the company. Hence the liabilities of the company, whether arising in contract or otherwise, are the company's liabilities and not the personal liabilities of the shareholders. Equally the company's assets are the company's assets and not the personal assets of the shareholders.

Advantages

  • Independent operating entity
  • Entitled to obtain a license
  • Entitled to sponsor employee(s)
  • Entitled to open a business bank account

Shams Branch Company

A Shams branch is an entity belonging to an existing parent company. All profits, benefits, gains and other returns of the branch shall be profits, benefits, gains and other returns of the parent company. Equally, all costs, expenses, debts and other liabilities of the branch are costs, expenses, debts and other liabilities of the parent company.

Advantages

  • Entitled to obtain a license
  • Entitled to sponsor employee(s)
  • Entitled to open a business bank account

Details of fee on different type of licenses, eligibility of visa and other charges applicable in each case.

  1. Details

Activity

Rates

Frequency

 

New & Renewal (AED & USD)

0 Visa*

Professional License

11,500 (USD $ 3135)

Annual

General Trading License

16,500 (USD $4500)

1 Visa

Professional License

16,600 (USD $4525)

Annual

General Trading License

21,600 (USD $5885)

2 Visas

Professional License

18,200 (USD $ 4960)

Annual

General Trading License

23,200 (USD $ 6322)

3 Visas

Professional License

19,800 (USD $5395)

Annual

General Trading License

24,800 (USD $ 6757)

4 Visas

Professional License

21,400 (USD $ 5831)

Annual

General Trading License

26,400 (USD $ 7193)

5 Visas

Professional License

23,000 (USD $ 6267)

Annual

General Trading License

28,000 (USD $ 7630)

6 Visas

Professional License

24,600 (USD $6702)

Annual

General Trading License

29,600 (USD $ 8065)

  *Establishment Card and Visa fees are not included in the packages above, they must be paid separately.
**The above package includes the license cost, shared desk facility and visa quota.

  • Establishment Card fee is Dhs. 1500 per 3 years
  • Investor Visa fee is Dhs. 3500 per visa valid for 3 years (excluding medical and emirates id)
  • Employee Visa fee is Dhs.3080 per visa valid for 3 years (excluding medical and emirates id)
  • 5% VAT is applied on the total cost.

Immigration E-channel system (this is a new system of the Immigration for Immigration card and Visa processing)

This needs to be paid when applying for the visa.

New Registration:

Refundable Deposit: AED5,000

Registration Fee: AED2,150

Annual Renewal Fee of the portal: AED1,150 (yearly)

Free deliverables on incorporation.

  1. Shams Business License.
  2. Certificate of Incorporation.
  3. Memorandum.
  4. Share Register.

How Oneworld can be of assistance to you.

Our in house legal team specialized in company set up matters shall assess your individual circumstances to recommend you the most cost efficient company set up option with right type of company license with Shams. Please get in touch with us today to know more. Our team of experts can offer most appropriate solutions based on assessment of your individual circumstances and objectives.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.