Sharjah Media City (Shams) is a government-regulated free zone jurisdiction located in the Emirate of Sharjah. Governed by the Sharjah Media City Authority, it functions as the primary digital authority for issuing trade licenses to media agencies, e-commerce founders, and creative service providers.
Located 15 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and 20 minutes from Dubai, Shams permits 100% Foreign Ownership for over 2,000 business activities. Under the 2026 federal regulatory framework, all Shams licenses are fully integrated with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and the Ministry of Economy, enabling immediate Tax Registration Number (TRN) issuance and corporate banking with digital platforms like Wio Business and Mashreq Neo.
Based in Sharjah, Shams blends digital government services, specialized media infrastructure, and low-cost facilities for founders. Join a registry of over 8,000 active firms. Select from 2,000+ business activities and start at a low price point without losing proximity to Dubai.
Situated 15 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and 20 minutes from Dubai, providing access to two major logistics hubs.
Complete the entire incorporation from trade name reservation to license issuance digitally. No physical presence is required in the UAE for the registration phase.
Access up to 6 residency visas on a shared desk lease. This allows for staff scaling without the requirement to lease an expensive private office.
Every standard license package includes a lease agreement for a dedicated desk. This contract satisfies the legal physical address requirement for UAE banks and the Federal Tax Authority.
Incorporate your entity without depositing share capital into a bank account, reducing the initial financial liquidity required to launch.
Access the facility to pay annual license fees in multiple payments to manage business cash flow.
We manage the application for every license structure authorized by the Sharjah Media City Authority. Select the category that aligns with your 2026 operational model:
Authorized for service providers, consultants, and agencies. This license permits you to offer non-physical skills such as Management Consultancy, IT Advisory, and Marketing Management. It allows you to invoice Mainland UAE companies directly for services rendered.
Permits the import, export, distribution, and storage of physical goods. You can register multiple related product lines under one legal setup. Commercial entities receive a customs code to facilitate the movement of goods through UAE ports.
Specifically designed for digital founders and online retail platforms. This license permits the sale of products or services through websites, social media channels, and mobile applications.
Allows for the manufacturing, assembly, and packaging of products using raw materials. This license requires the leasing of a physical warehouse facility within the Sharjah industrial sector and involves specific environmental approvals.
Firms in Sharjah Media City must follow UAE federal rules and specific zone mandates. Al Arabiya Group manages these technical filings to keep your business active and prevent administrative penalties.
All Shams entities must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and obtain a Tax Registration Number (TRN). You must complete your TRN application within 90 days of license issuance. Failure to register within this window results in an automatic penalty of AED 10,000. A 0% rate applies strictly to Qualifying Income. All other taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 is subject to a 9% rate.
Firms conducting “Relevant Activities”—such as Distribution, Headquarters Business, or Holding Company operations—must file annual ESR notifications. You must demonstrate that your Core Income-Generating Activities take place within the UAE to avoid fines starting from AED 50,000.
Shams mandates the disclosure of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (any individual owning 25% or more of the company). You must maintain this register at your registered office and update the authority within 15 days of any ownership change.
We assist with opening accounts at UAE banks by aligning your activity codes with current banking appetites. Shams licenses are widely accepted by digital platforms like Wio Business and Mashreq Neo. We use your digital credentials to speed up the Know Your Customer (KYC) approval process.
Affordable UAE free zone company set up packages with transparent pricing. Choose the right jurisdiction and license type for your business goals.
We manage every stage of your company formation through a structured four-step path. Our team ensures your 2026 setup follows all local rules mandated by the Sharjah Media City Authority.
We align your business model with the exact Shams activity codes. You can select from over 2,000 activities across media, trading, and professional services. During this stage, we determine your required residency visa quota. You receive a shared desk lease agreement to satisfy federal physical address requirements without the cost of a private office.
We reserve your business name through the Shams centralized portal. Our team verifies that your chosen name adheres to the UAE Federal Commercial Companies Law to prevent delays. We submit your passport copy and initiate the digital identity verification via UAE PASS to complete the security clearance and Know Your Customer (KYC) approval stage.
We process the government fees and draft the digital Memorandum of Association (MoA). Once approved, the authority issues your trade license for 2026. This electronic document package allows you to open corporate bank accounts with digital platforms like Wio Business and Mashreq Neo within 48 to 72 hours.
We start the residency process for you and your staff by registering your company with the Sharjah immigration E-Channel system. This stage includes the issuance of the entry permit, the mandatory medical fitness test, and the biometric fingerprinting for the Emirates ID. Once your visa is active, we manage the sponsorship applications for your family members.
FAQ's
A zero-visa Shams trade license starts from AED 8,050 for specific promotional packages. For setups requiring one residency visa, the cost is approximately AED 11,500, which includes the license and a shared desk lease. These figures exclude external government fees for the medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics, and the immigration E-Channel registration.
No. The incorporation process for a Shams entity is 100% digital. Al Arabiya Group manages the trade name reservation and license issuance remotely. You receive your digital corporate documents via email. Physical presence is only required for the mandatory medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometric scanning during the residency visa stage.
Direct B2C trading of physical goods on the UAE Mainland is not permitted without a local distributor or a customs agent. For professional services (such as marketing, IT consultancy, or media work), you can legally invoice Mainland companies directly from your Shams base. Revenue derived from Mainland services is subject to 9% Corporate Tax if your taxable income exceeds AED 375,000.
No. The Sharjah Media City Authority does not require the submission of an audited financial statement to renew your trade license. You must maintain internal financial records for seven years to comply with Federal Decree-Law No. 47 for potential Federal Tax Authority (FTA) inspections.
A Shams license paired with a shared desk lease allows for a quota of up to 6 residency visas. If your business requires a higher staff count, you must lease a physical office space within the Shams district to increase your visa allocation.
