SHAMS company setup is registration with Sharjah Media City, a government free zone first built for media and creative businesses that now also licenses consultancy, IT, marketing and e-commerce activities. The application is mostly online and a flexi-desk is often enough. Our Sharjah branch in Business Tower, Al Majaz 2 files it and handles any translation, attestation or notary step.
Is SHAMS Right for You?
| Question | SHAMS answer |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | Media producers, designers, agencies, consultants, small IT and online businesses |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, shared office or private office |
| Typical activities | Content production, advertising, design, events, consultancy, IT services, e-commerce |
| Remote setup | Mostly online; signing and visa steps may need you in the UAE |
| Visas | Set by the license package and facility |
| Selling on the UAE mainland | Services to UAE businesses are common; direct sale of goods on the mainland needs a distributor, branch or mainland license |
SHAMS is not built for warehouses or heavy industry; those businesses look at SAIF Zone or Hamriyah instead.
Activity Groups on a SHAMS License
| Group | Examples of activities |
|---|---|
| Media | Publishing, broadcasting, content creation, film and video production |
| Creative and services | Design, advertising, marketing, consultancy, IT services, events |
| Commercial and e-commerce | Trading of selected goods, online stores and marketplaces |
SHAMS sets its packages and activity groups and revises them from time to time. Related activities can often share one license, and some media activities need content approval, which we check before applying.
Desk, Office and Visa Numbers
A founder who works mostly from client sites usually starts on a flexi-desk; a team that needs more visas or meets clients takes a shared or private office. We suggest the smallest facility that meets your visa and meeting needs, and tell you what upgrading later involves.
Working With UAE Clients and Banks
A SHAMS company can serve clients abroad and deliver services to businesses across the UAE. Selling goods directly to mainland consumers generally needs a mainland distributor, branch or license; see business setup in Sharjah for the SEDD route. Banks look for a clear activity description, a business plan and shareholder profiles, and we prepare that file through company bank account support.
Corporate Tax for a SHAMS Company
If the company meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, its qualifying income is taxed at 0%; everything else is taxed at 9% under the regime in force since June 2023. Ask a registered tax agent to confirm your position and file the returns.
Papers SHAMS Asks For
- Passport of each shareholder and the manager, plus UAE visa and Emirates ID for residents
- A recent photo, proposed trade names and the activity list
- A no-objection letter from your UAE employer, if SHAMS asks for one
- For a company shareholder: certificate of incorporation, MOA/AOA and board resolution, attested abroad and at the UAE embassy, then translated where required
Handled from Our Al Majaz Office
Our Sharjah team at Office 3107, Business Tower, Corniche Street, Al Majaz 2 (call or WhatsApp +971 54 544 0234) files SHAMS applications and renewals and provides legal translation in Sharjah and notary bookings when a document needs them.
- Send your activities and visa plan on WhatsApp; the written quote, with the package and facility, comes back within 10–30 minutes.
- We obtain name and activity approval and submit the online application.
- You sign, SHAMS issues the license, and every step shows in online tracking.
- We continue with the establishment card, visas and the bank file.
Official source: SHAMS. Weighing Sharjah zones? Compare with SPC Free Zone or the UAE free zones comparison; to protect your brand, see trademark registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up a SHAMS company online?
Yes, most of the process is online. Signing and visa steps may need you in the UAE, and we collect and return documents free.
Is SHAMS only for media companies?
No. It started as a media free zone but now licenses creative, service, consultancy and e-commerce activities too.
How many visas can I get with a SHAMS license?
It depends on the package and facility, and we state the allocation in the written quote.
SHAMS or SPC: which is better?
Both are Sharjah free zones with online processes and desk options. SHAMS leans to media and creative work, SPC to publishing, e-commerce and trading. We compare them for your activities.
Do I need an office in Sharjah?
A flexi-desk is enough for many small businesses; larger teams take shared or private offices, which also raise the visa allocation.
Can a SHAMS company invoice clients in Dubai?
Yes, for services delivered to businesses. Selling goods directly to Dubai mainland consumers usually needs a distributor or a mainland license.
Who renews my SHAMS license each year?
Our Al Majaz team can renew it on the SHAMS portal together with visas that fall due, and reminds you before the date.
Last updated: September 2026
