About <span class="mobile-block"></span>SHAMS Free ZoneAbout <span class="mobile-block"></span>SHAMS Free Zone

About SHAMS Free Zone

Launched in 2017, Sharjah Media City (Shams) Free Zone is among the UAE’s most dynamic business hubs. Designed to promote creativity, media, and entrepreneurship, Shams has emerged as a free zone for business owners on the lookout for a cost-effective, flexible, and modern business setup solution. Though Shams primarily has a reputation for being a media industry free zone, it caters to a wide range of industries, including IT, marketing, and general trading. With affordable pricing packages and virtual office options, Shams business setup makes entering the UAE efficient and accessible.

Why Choose SHAMS Free Zone?

Here are some of the key reasons why you should consider business setup in the UAE in Shams Free Zone

100% foreign ownership

100% repatriation of capital and profits

Affordable licensing packages

Over 120 business activities to choose from

Quick company formation

Modern, digital ecosystem

Up to five business activities in one license

Obtain a true LLC name, no ‘FZ’ tag required

Access to creative studios & workshops

3 Simple Steps

Your SHAMS company formation explained in three (3) simple steps
Initial Advisory Session Icon

Step 1

Initial Advisory Session

Application preparation and submission Icon

Step 2

Application preparation and submission

Business license issuance Icon

Step 3

Business license issuance

Client Testimonials

Hear directly from the clients who trust us
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5 Stars
Adil Sajid

I had a great experience working with Mohammad Shahzad from InZone for my company formation in RAKEZ. From the very beginning, Mohammad was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout the entire process. While the application process from RAKEZ itself was a bit slow at certain stages, Mohammad personally stepped in to make sure everything was on track. He followed up proactively, clarified issues before they became problems, and ensured that nothing was delayed unnecessarily. This made a huge difference and gave me a lot of confidence during the setup. What I truly appreciated was how patient and transparent Mohammad was. He took the time to walk me through all available options, explained the pros and cons clearly, and never rushed the conversation. No matter how many questions I had, he was always willing to explain things in simple terms and guide me step by step until everything made sense. In addition to Mohammad's support, I'd also like to specifically mention Wafa and Jona, who provided excellent operational and administrative support. They were responsive, organized, and ensured that documentation and coordination were handled smoothly behind the scenes. Overall, the entire team at InZone made what could have been a stressful process feel structured and manageable. If you're looking for someone reliable, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping you make the right decisions for your business setup, I would highly recommend Mohammad Shahzad and the InZone team.

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Giovanni D

I've used InZone multiple times now already for signature witnessing services and the support provided by Brian Kennedy has been amazing so far.

Trust Pilot 500+ Reviews and Ratings
Shoppers Approved 5 Stars
N K.

Very friendly, helpful and patience. Attention to detail. Good experience.

Shoppers Approved 600+ Reviews and Ratings
5 Stars
Zohaib Haroon

I had an amazing experience working with Ahmad Bhatti for my visa processing. From start to finish, he went above and beyond for me. He handled everything with professionalism, speed, and clear communication. What stood out the most was how genuinely he cared about making sure everything was done perfectly. Ahmad guided me through every step, answered all my questions with patience, and made the entire process smooth and stress-free. In Dubai, where it's hard to find someone reliable and knowledgeable, Ahmad is truly a top professional. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs visa assistance — he delivers exactly what he promises and more. Thank you, Ahmad, for the outstanding service!

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Jan

We have been using InZone for some years now and are very happy with their service. This was the first year for filing tax return and Jinu Anil from the finance department was extremely helpful. Would not hesitate to recommend.

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Shoppers Approved 5 Stars
Arif A.

Excellent service and post-service support!

Shoppers Approved 600+ Reviews and Ratings
5 Stars
mohammed Sadiq

I had a very smooth and pleasant experience with this company. Everything was handled professionally, efficiently, and with great attention to detail. The team is friendly, responsive, and clearly knows what they're doing. Big thanks to the whole team for the excellent support, especially [ Natalia ] and [Sana mujahid ], who were always helpful and quick to respond. And last but definitely not least — Karim Fouad 👏 Karim deserves a special mention for his incredible support, positive energy, and sense of humor. He doesn't just solve problems, he makes the process enjoyable while doing it 😄 If every company had a Karim, business would be a lot more fun! Highly recommended ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Balakrishnan Iyer

InZone has some excellent & really talented & efficient staff, of which Mr. Krishnan Swamy, Ms. Wafa Hamdi and Ms. Sana Mujahid are prime examples. I truly appreciate their support & cooperative approach all through. I wish them all the best.

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Shoppers Approved 5 Stars
Mujeeb

It was good experience with you. You are doing your job excellently. I will recommend your service to my friends and colleagues. Thank you for preparing my poa right in time.

Shoppers Approved 600+ Reviews and Ratings
5 Stars
Sohail Kisat

I am writing this review after completion of my Will Application, We approached InZone after searching online to work with, We check the reviews posted earlier by many of their past clients, some were negative and most of them positive. Our first point of contact was Nikhil, the amazing and very proessional associate who took us through all the process step by step, Our application was submitted by Nikhil and guide us the next steps, We got the appointment from Civil Family Court and finished the final stage, In the final stage we receive the Will document from ADJD and found out that the document was without signature of the competant authority, We shared the document with Nikhil and This amazing person took no time to approach the ADJD and emailed us the final signed WILL document to finish the process. I highly recommend this reliable and professional company for all your legal matter. Thank you Nikhil for your outstanding services

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Adriano Zeni

InZone....great Organization, great people, great assistance.....just one word....GREAT!!! Arbab, Deepak, Monika,Junaid, Adeel, Ishita, Salman, Aiswarya... not enough words to thank You. All smooth and all perfect!! In record time!!! Professionality, Follow up, response time, availability and kindness are the basis of this Organization and i'm very happy of them!!!!

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Shoppers Approved 5 Stars
Michael

Fast and efficient service. Thank you again.

Shoppers Approved 600+ Reviews and Ratings
5 Stars
Pawan Maduwantha

I had an excellent experience with InZone for my business formation process. Everything was handled smoothly, professionally, and much faster than I expected. A special appreciation goes to Jona Clemente and mr jasim ahmed, who supported me throughout the entire process — even during her day off. Her dedication, responsiveness, and clear guidance made the whole setup extremely easy and stress-free. I truly appreciate the outstanding service and highly recommend InZone to anyone looking to set up their business in the UAE. Exceptional team and exceptional support!

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Sheikh Asif

Mr.Arbab of Inzone has proved himself a worthy asset to his company. He has helped me with all my VAT filing and Corporate TAX filing. He has always stayed in touch regarding all this. I would recommend everybody to get their TAX filings done through him.

Trust Pilot 500+ Reviews and Ratings
Shoppers Approved 5 Stars
Dmitry A.

Very happy with the service from the moment I got in touch to the final stages when the company was confirmed to have been registered. Ruqaiya Kamran was outstanding - attention to detail, quick responses, timely updates and guidance were second to none. Very pleased with Ruqaiya's professionalism and overall experience, would highly recommend to anybody seeking company formation services.

Shoppers Approved 600+ Reviews and Ratings

Pricing Packages

Get in touch with us to receive a customized quote for your company formation
Business Setup in UAE Pricing Packages

Our Partners

Our official partners across free zones & banks
Abu Dhabi Global Market - International Financial Centre and Business Hub UAE
Ajman Free Zone - Business Setup and Company Formation Services UAE
Creative City Fujairah - Media and Creative Business Free Zone UAE
Dubai Airport Free Zone - Business Licensing and Trade Hub Dubai
Dubai International Financial Centre - Financial Services and Business Hub UAE
Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus - Startup and Innovation Hub Dubai
Dubai Silicon Oasis - Technology Park and Free Zone Business Hub UAE
Dubai South - Logistics, Aviation and Business Free Zone UAE
Dubai World Trade Centre - Business Events and Free Zone Authority UAE
Hamriyah Free Zone - Industrial and Commercial Business Setup UAE
International Free Zone Authority - Company Formation and Licensing UAE
Jebel Ali Free Zone - Trade, Logistics and Business Hub Dubai
Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi - Industrial and Logistics Free Zone UAE
Masdar City - Sustainable Business and Innovation Free Zone Abu Dhabi
Meydan Free Zone - Business Licensing and Company Formation Dubai
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone - Business Setup and Industrial Free Zone UAE
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone - Business and Trade Hub UAE
Sharjah Media City - Media and Creative Business Free Zone UAE
Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park - Innovation and R&D Hub UAE
ABC
RAK Bank
UBL
FAB
Misr
ENBD
Mashreq
ADIB
Emirates Islamic
DIB
ENBD
Mashreq
WIO
RUya
Hubpay
Payoneer
BankD
3s-money
DKK
Ebury
Adriatic
Hamilton
Winterbotham

Timeline

Here is the timeline for Shams Free Zone company formation
  • Day 1: Application Submission

    Submit your signed business setup application along with all required documents to officially begin your Shams company registration.

  • Days 2 to 5: Review and Verification

    Your chosen company name is reserved, and all required documents are reviewed and approved by Shams during this period.

  • Day 6: Trade License Issuance

    Your Shams trade license is issued. A digital copy is provided so you can immediately commence business activities.

Note: Processing times may vary and are subject to compliance checks.

SHAMS Free Zone Licenses

Shams offers multiple business license options and business activities to help you find the right requirements for your business venture.
Service License Icon

Service License

This license permits businesses in professional or consultancy-based services to operate freely. It is perfect for marketing agencies, IT services, and design firms.

Trading License Icon

Trading License

A trading license allows companies to engage in the buying, selling, import, and export of goods.

Industrial License Icon

Industrial License

Businesses that procure an industrial license can engage in light manufacturing, assembling, or packaging activities and simultaneously benefit from Shams’ efficient logistics support.

Service License Icon

Service License

This license permits businesses in professional or consultancy-based services to operate freely. It is perfect for marketing agencies, IT services, and design firms.

Trading License Icon

Trading License

A trading license allows companies to engage in the buying, selling, import, and export of goods.

Industrial License Icon

Industrial License

Businesses that procure an industrial license can engage in light manufacturing, assembling, or packaging activities and simultaneously benefit from Shams’ efficient logistics support.

Service License Icon

Service License

This license permits businesses in professional or consultancy-based services to operate freely. It is perfect for marketing agencies, IT services, and design firms.

Trading License Icon

Trading License

A trading license allows companies to engage in the buying, selling, import, and export of goods.

Industrial License Icon

Industrial License

Businesses that procure an industrial license can engage in light manufacturing, assembling, or packaging activities and simultaneously benefit from Shams’ efficient logistics support.

The Steps to Set Up a SHAMS Company

While Shams is a UAE free zone located in Sharjah, the process of setting up your company here follows a structure similar to Dubai Free Zone company formation. You can start off by selecting the package that suits you the best based on your specific requirements. InZone offers multiple packages for all Shams trade licenses and business activity types.
The Steps to Set Up a SHAMS CompanyThe Steps to Set Up a SHAMS Company
  • 1. Select your business activity

    We will help you narrow down your business activity from a list of over 120 activities.
  • 2. Select your company name

    We will help ensure that your company name meets compliance requirements.
  • 3. Submit all documents

    Provide copies of all documents required, including passports, business plans, and other application forms.
  • 4. Receive initial approval

    This is usually granted and processed digitally through a portal.
  • 5. Sign incorporation documents

    Finish up with the signing and get your license.
  • 6. Apply for visas and open a bank account

    The InZone team will be happy to assist you with this.

Documents Required for a SHAMS Free Zone Company

Individual Shareholder(s)

  • Passport copy
  • Passport-sized photo (digital)
  • Residence visa copy (if applicable)
  • Emirates ID copy (if applicable)

Corporate Shareholder(s)

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Certificate of Incumbency or equivalent (issued within the last 3 months)
  • Memorandum of Association
  • Board Resolution
  • Passport copy, visa copy, and Emirates ID of the company manager (if applicable)
Note:
Document requirements may vary based on the chosen business activity and the regulations of the respective licensing authority.

Why Set Up With InZone?

InZone offers a host of unparalleled advantages to secure your trade license, whether it is a Dubai trade license or a trade license for any other jurisdiction.
Efficient licensing

Efficient licensing

Our experts are in direct contact with SHAMS authorities, facilitating faster approvals and streamlined licensing processes.

Dedicated support manager

Dedicated support manager

You can count on our expertise and complete cooperation from compliance to corporate tax in the UAE, to renewals within both a Dubai Free Zone and free zones in other jurisdictions.

Comprehensive business solutions

Comprehensive business solutions

Extending our services beyond business setup in the UAE, we also offer banking, accounting, and bookkeeping services and visa services, all under one convenient umbrella.

Key Features

These are the key features of Shams Free Zone
Affordable Setup
Shams Free Zone offers one of the most cost-effective company formation options in the UAE
Repatriation of Funds
Your capital and profits are your own, as they can be repatriated without any deductions
Ownership
Non-UAE nationals can fully own a Shams Free Zone company
Location
Conduct business from Sharjah, an innovation-driven emirate located right next to Dubai
Time Zone
Convenient world time zone: GMT+04:00
Supported Industries
Media industries, printing and publishing, technology and IT services, real estate and financial services, marketing and design, construction, hospitality and event management, education and research, maintenance services

FAQs

Here are some answers to some of the most common questions related to Shams Free Zone company setup in Sharjah.

Shams offers one of the most reasonable costs to open a company in UAE. View details of various packages available by scrolling up this page.

No, you do not need a local sponsor to set up a company in Shams. One of the many benefits in setting up a company in Shams is having 100% ownership of the company.

The timeframe in setting up a company in Shams is 5-6 working days after you have signed and submitted the application forms and the required documents. Any further process for the visa issuance is outlined in our Timelines section above.

Shams offers number of activities relating to media, broadcasting, public relations, consultancy and advertising. There are a variety of sub-sectors of these activities which you can choose from when finalizing the activity for your company set up.

You do not necessarily need an office space for you to set up a company in Shams. This is one of the main advantages of setting up a company in Shams. A flexi desk option is available in packages with visas.