Sharjah Media City
Sharjah (close to Dubai border) — Established 2017
From AED 5,750/year
Setup: 1-2 business days
Shams (Sharjah Media City) is one of the most affordable free zones in the UAE, offering quick setup and a wide range of business activities. Despite the media city name, it supports nearly all business types.
Key Benefits
- One of the cheapest in UAE
- Fast online setup
- 1,500+ activities available
- No office requirement for some licenses
License Types & Costs
License Starting From
AED 5,750/year
Annual Renewal
AED 5,750
Available license types:
tradingservicee-commercefreelancer
Visa Packages
1
visa
~AED 3,200
3
visas
~AED 8,500
Visa costs are approximate and may vary based on nationality and package type.
Office Options
flexi deskvirtual officeshared office
Popular Business Activities
General TradingMedia ServicesE-CommerceConsultingFreelancing
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Fast setup
- No office needed for some licenses
- Close to Dubai
Cons
- Sharjah address (not Dubai)
- Banking can be challenging
- Conservative environment
Best For
FreelancersE-commerceBudget startupsSole proprietors
Is Shams right for your business?
Take our free quiz to see how Shams compares to other options based on your specific needs.
Take the Free Zone QuizCompare Shams with other free zones
See side-by-side pricing, setup time, and licensing differences.
Build a custom comparison with ShamsShams appears in these lists
Browse curated lists of free zones that match specific business needs.