IFZA vs Shams: Side-by-Side Comparison
Both sit at the budget end of the market. IFZA gives you a Dubai address with faster banking approval, while Shams (Sharjah) is cheaper and built specifically for media, creative, and e-commerce businesses.
- Startups
- Freelancers
- Small businesses
- Freelancers
- E-commerce
- Budget startups
- Very affordable
- Extremely fast setup
- Wide activity range
- Extremely affordable
- Fast setup
- No office needed for some licenses
- Newer reputation
- Banking can be slower
- Location outside main Dubai hubs
- Sharjah address (not Dubai)
- Banking can be challenging
- Conservative environment
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Find Your Free ZoneKey differences at a glance
| IFZA | Shams | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | dubai | sharjah |
| License from | AED 5,750/yr | AED 5,750/yr |
| Annual renewal | AED 5,750 | AED 5,750 |
| Setup time | 1-2 business days | 1-2 business days |
| Min share capital | None | None |
| Established | 2018 | 2017 |
| License types | trading, service, e-commerce, freelancer | trading, service, e-commerce, freelancer |
| Office options | flexi desk, virtual office, shared office, private office | flexi desk, virtual office, shared office |
Cost breakdown
IFZA
- License (starting from)
- AED 5,750/yr
- Annual renewal
- AED 5,750
- Visa packages
- 1 visa
- ~AED 3,500
- 3 visas
- ~AED 9,000
- 6 visas
- ~AED 16,000
Shams
- License (starting from)
- AED 5,750/yr
- Annual renewal
- AED 5,750
- Visa packages
- 1 visa
- ~AED 3,200
- 3 visas
- ~AED 8,500
Which one should you pick?
Pick IFZA if
You need a Dubai license and plan to open a UAE business bank account soon.
See full IFZA profilePick Shams if
You're a media, content, or e-commerce business looking for the lowest startup cost.
See full Shams profileFrequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, IFZA or Shams?
Shams is cheaper. Its license starts at AED 5,750/year vs AED 5,750/year for IFZA — a difference of AED 0 per year at the entry tier. Actual costs depend on visa count, office type, and activity.
How long does setup take at IFZA vs Shams?
IFZA advertises 1-2 business days and Shams advertises 1-2 business days. Real-world timelines depend on how quickly you submit documents, pay fees, and complete KYC.
Where are IFZA and Shams located?
IFZA is in Dubai (Dubai Silicon Oasis area, Dubai). Shams is in Sharjah (Sharjah (close to Dubai border)).