Sharjah · Free zone
Sharjah Media City (Shams) license, and whether it suits you
A low-cost Sharjah free zone popular with freelancers, consultants and online businesses, with packages that need no physical office.
At a glance
Shams (Sharjah Media City) in summary
| Factor | Position |
|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership |
| Market access | Free zone and international; mainland sales through a distributor, branch or permit |
| Premises | Packages without a dedicated office; desks and offices available when needed |
| Audit | Confirm the current renewal requirement with the authority |
| Best for | Freelancers, consultants, marketing and online businesses that want the lowest-cost compliant licence |
Published fees
Activities: Packages include a fixed activity bundle (3 activities plus package-specific extras; limit of 5 classes per group); pricing varies by package and visa count, not per extra activity. Note: Page headline prices sometimes conflict with detail tables; multi-year discounts 15-50% advertised; VAT treatment not stated.
Visas: Visa allocation AED 1,600 then AED 3,360 per 2-year employment/investor visa, plus immigration card AED 1,575 and e-channel AED 2,735 at company level.
Authority fees, as published
| Item | AED | Charged | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Inclusive Visa Package, 1 visaincludes Emirates ID and medical; 2 visas 19,786 / 3 visas 22,786 | 14,786 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Freelancer Package, One Visa, 1 yearlicence 7,745 + immigration card 1,575 + e-channel 2,735 + 2yr visa 3,360 | 15,415 | OnceProfessional licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Freelancer Package, Zero Visa with Lease, 1 year3 activities + 1 mandatory media activity | 7,745renewal 7,745 | OnceProfessional licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Media Package (no visa), 1 year – 3 Media and E-commerce activitieswith lease agreement; 2yr 9,775 / 3yr 13,800 / 5yr 20,125 / 10yr 34,500 | 5,750 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Shams Trader Package (zero visa), 1 year – General Trading and E-commercewith lease agreement; multi-year up to 10yr AED 39,000 | 6,500 | OnceCommercial licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Standard Package, 0 visas, 1 year – 3 activities1-6 visa tiers up to AED 17,343 (1yr); trading/services/consultancy | 8,050 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Standard Package, 1 visa, 1 year | 11,743 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
Government fees for residence visas
| Item | AED | Charged | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change of statuspage shows 1,102.50 (Freelancer) and 1,002.50 (Standard) | 1,102 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| E-channel registrationrefundable deposit AED 4,854; annual renewal AED 1,355 | 2,735renewal 1,355 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates IDlisted in Standard package fees | 371 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID renewal for residents, per year of residencePlus AED100 Smart Application Fees; service 377-004-001-009; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID Smart Service Fees (new issuance, residents)Fixed per application; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID urgent service fee (ICP centres only)Optional fast-track, in-person only; ICP Emirates ID | 150 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Employment visa (2 year)investor/partner visa same price | 3,360 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| GDRFA golden residence permit issuance, investors (10-yr)Plus AED10+AED10 dirhams, AED500 inside country, AED20 delivery; Golden Visa route | 1,100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP entry visa for employment to obtain Green ResidencePlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP golden residence issuance (10-yr), per yearPlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; Golden Visa route | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit application feeService 377-006-003-000; federal/ICP system (emirates other than Dubai); ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit issuance fee, per yearAED100 per year of validity (2-yr visa = AED200); ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit renewal fee, per yearPlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; service 377-006-003-003; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP smart service feeListed as 'Smart Service Fees' on residence issuance; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP status adjustment (change of status)Listed as 'Status Adjustment - 500 AED'; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 500 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Immigration card (3 year)late renewal AED 1,155 then AED 100 per period | 1,575 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness with vaccination (Category B)AED250 + AED50 Hepatitis B vaccination + AED10 printing; medical fitness | 310 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness, female cat. with pregnancy test (C)AED250 + AED50 vaccination + AED50 pregnancy test + AED10 printing; medical fitness | 360 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness, workers/employees (Category A)AED250 service + AED10 printing; emirates other than Dubai/Abu Dhabi; medical fitness | 260 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| New Emirates ID for residents, per year of residence1yr=100, 2yr=200, 3yr=300; 5/10-yr cards follow same per-year rate; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Visa allocation | 1,600 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Visa cancellation | 630 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
Every figure above comes from the authority’s own fee page or schedule, with the link beside it and was last checked on 17 October 2026. Fees change, some exclude VAT, and the list is not everything a setup costs: our professional fee, office rent, document attestation and bank requirements are quoted separately. Lines older than 90 days drop off until re-checked.
What happens after formation
Corporate tax registration, bookkeeping, VAT if you cross the threshold, and — in many zones — audited financial statements at renewal. We set the dates out before you launch rather than after.
Package contents, visa quotas, activity lists and audit requirements are set by each authority and change. Every figure is confirmed against the authority’s current terms at the time we advise you.
Next step
Thinking about Shams (Sharjah Media City)?
A short call, a written comparison, and fixed fees before anything starts.
Monday to Friday, 9:00–18:00 GST. Messages outside those hours are answered the next working morning. WhatsApp +971 55 786 7621.