Set up a media, creative or multi-activity company in Sharjah Media City, online and fast. PROXPAT plans the activities, licence term and visas, and prepares the application.
Page last updated: . Requirements, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authority and can change.
Shams Company Formation in Sharjah Media City Free Zone
Sharjah Media City, known as Shams, is a Sharjah free zone that grew out of media and creative licensing and now licenses a broad mix of businesses. Its setup is fully online, and it markets a licence issued in about 60 minutes.
Shams has a few features that set it apart from other free zones. A company can be registered as an LLC without "FZ" in its name, and a single licence can hold up to five activities from different industries and up to 50 visas. Terms run from one to ten years.
PROXPAT helps you combine the right activities, choose the licence term and visa allocation, and prepare the application so the fast issuance time actually holds.
Shams at a Glance
| Topic | What Shams publishes |
|---|---|
| Ownership | 100% ownership; no local partner required |
| Company form | Limited liability company, which can be registered without "FZ" in its name |
| Activities | Up to 5 activities on one licence, across different industries |
| Visas | Up to 50 visas per licence |
| Licence terms | 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 years |
| Speed | Fully online, with a licence in about 60 minutes |
| Employer NOC | Not required for people who are already employed |
| Family | Dependent visas are available |
| Payment | Upfront by card, with instalment options through partner banks and buy-now-pay-later providers |
What Makes Shams Different
- No "FZ" in the name. Shams presents this as unique to its free zone, giving a name that reads more like a mainland company. The company is still licensed by Shams, so a name change does not change where it may operate.
- Mixed activities. Up to five activities from different industries can sit on one licence, useful for a consultancy with a media arm, or an e-commerce brand that also offers services.
- A large visa ceiling. Up to 50 visas per licence leaves room to grow without a second company.
- Long terms. Licences of up to 10 years reduce the annual renewal cycle for businesses confident in their plans.
Choosing a Licence Term
| Term | Consider it when |
|---|---|
| 1 year | You are testing an idea or expect to change activities or structure soon |
| 2 or 3 years | The model is proven and you want fewer renewals |
| 5 or 10 years | The business is stable and you want to lock in the setup for the long term |
A longer term means more paid upfront. Compare it against how likely you are to amend activities, add shareholders or move jurisdictions. See corporate structuring.
Setting Up While Employed
Shams says people who are already employed can set up a company there without a no-objection certificate from their employer. That is Shams' own rule for its licence. Your employment contract still applies, so check any conflict-of-interest or exclusivity terms before trading. If you need to understand those obligations, see our UAE labour law guide.
Paying for a Shams Licence
Shams quotes prices through its online cost calculator, based on the package, licence term, activities and visas, rather than as one fixed public list. Its FAQs say payment is upfront, with credit cards accepted and partner banks able to convert the payment into monthly instalments. Its site also lists buy-now-pay-later options.
We confirm the exact quote for your combination of activities, term and visas before you pay. Compare published prices from other zones in our business setup cost calculator.
Shams or SPC Free Zone?
| Shams (Sharjah Media City) | SPC Free Zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Company forms | LLC, which can omit "FZ" from the name | FZE-LLC, FZC-LLC or branch |
| Activities | Up to 5, across industries | Up to 5 on the pay-as-you-go licence |
| Visas | Up to 50 per licence | Unlimited on a flexi desk |
| Terms | 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 years | One-year pay-as-you-go licence |
| Published price | Through a cost calculator | AED 6,875, one year, no visa |
| Issuance | About 60 minutes | About 45 minutes |
See SPC Free Zone company formation and Sharjah company formation for SAIF Zone, Hamriyah and the Sharjah mainland.
Visas and Family
- Plan headcount against the 50-visa ceiling before choosing workspace and package.
- Once the licence and establishment card are issued, employment visas can start. See employment visa services.
- Shams confirms dependent visas are available for family members.
- Keep the establishment card current, because visa transactions depend on it. See establishment card.
How PROXPAT Helps
Activity combination across industries
Licence term and visa allocation planning
Online application and document pack
Company name without "FZ" checks
Establishment card and visas
Family sponsorship
Amendments and renewals
Comparison with SPC and other zones
Frequently Asked Questions
Build a creative company in Sharjah.
Explore connected PROXPAT services that support the same client journey.
The licence is the start of the government work, not the end of it
Once the trade licence is issued, the sequence that actually lets you operate begins: the establishment card, the MOHRE and immigration files, your employee quota, then employee visas and work permits. After that it repeats every year — renewals, cancellations when people leave, and licence renewal and amendments.
Companies that would rather not build that function in-house put it on a monthly PRO retainer from AED 700, or use it per transaction. Government fees stay separate and itemised either way.
The first six months after incorporation
- Establishment card issued through immigration
- MOHRE file opened and e-signature completed
- Employee quota checked before hiring
- Offer letters, work permits and entry permits
- Medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping
- Corporate tax and VAT registration where they apply
More in Free Zones
Set Up Your Company in Shams Free Zone
PROXPAT combines the right activities, chooses the licence term and visa allocation, prepares the online application and handles visas and renewals.