Sharjah Media City (Shams) is a free zone established in 2017, offering some of the most affordable company registration options in the UAE. Shams is a prominent hub designed specifically to support companies in the media and creative sectors. It offers a comprehensive ecosystem aimed at helping media and creative businesses grow, including support for companies providing auxiliary services to these industries. This symbiotic environment allows each business within Shams to thrive and prosper.

As a competitively priced free zone, Shams combines affordability with a reputation for quality. Below are some key benefits of incorporating a business in Shams Free Zone:

• One of the cheapest free zone licenses in UAE
• Quick and efficient registration process
• Ability to conduct multiple business activities under a single license
• Located in a tax-free jurisdiction
• Zero corporate tax
• Zero personal tax
• 100% capital and profit repatriation
• 100% foreign ownership allowed
• Streamlined and hassle-free business procedures
• Regular workshops and community sessions for business exposure
• No requirement for shareholders to be physically present in the UAE for company incorporation
• Free training sessions
• Complimentary exhibition space at events like GITEX Expo and Seamless Middle East

Shams offers a unique, supportive environment for entrepreneurs in the media and creative industries, making it a prime location for affordable, efficient business setup in the UAE.

Sharjah Media City (Shams) offers some of the most affordable free zone licenses in the UAE, enabling businesses to engage in a wide range of activities. Below are the types of licenses available through Shams:

License Types

Services and Consultancy License

This license permits activities related to the production, reproduction, and distribution of services.

Trading License

This license allows a company to sell, import, and export goods, whether wholesale or retail, and to provide services related to the sale of these goods.

Industrial License

This license enables companies to produce, reproduce, transform, and manufacture goods.

Business Activity Categories

Shams categorizes business activities under three main headings: Media, Wholesale and Retail, and Services and Consultancy. The permitted activities for each are listed below.

Media

• Printing and reproduction of recorded media
• Publishing activities of books, journals, and software
• Sound recording and music publishing
• Motion picture, video, and television program production
• Radio and television broadcasting
• Telecommunications
• Computer programming, consultancy, and related activities
• Data processing, hosting, and web portals
• Professional, scientific, and technical activities
• Advertising and market research
• Photography and specialized design
• Creative arts and entertainment
• Digital marketing, event organizing, production
• Web portals, graphic design, fashion design, interior design
• Translation services

Wholesale and Retail

• Wholesale trade and general trading
• Wholesale of agricultural materials, household goods, machinery, and equipment
• Retail sale in non-specialized and specialized outlets
• Retail sale of automotive fuel, cultural and recreational goods, food and beverages, information, and communication equipment
• Retail trade via stores, stalls, and markets
• Repair of vehicles and motorcycles

Services and Consultancy

• Repair and installation of machinery, equipment, and metal products
• Construction, electrical, plumbing, and other installation activities
• Warehousing and support for transportation
• Postal and courier services
• Restaurant, mobile food service, and event catering
• Holding company activities, financial services, and insurance
• Real estate activities, legal and accounting services, management consultancy
• Architectural and engineering, technical testing and analysis
• Scientific research, rental, and leasing activities
• Employment services, travel and tour operators
• Business support, office administration, organization of trade shows
• Educational support, sports and recreation
• Membership organizations, computer and household goods repair
• Other personal services

Company Types Recognized by Shams

Shams allows for the incorporation of the following types of companies:

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

An LLC is a legal entity where the company’s liabilities are restricted to the business itself. The liabilities do not extend to the personal assets of the shareholder(s); instead, liability is limited to the shareholder’s investment in the company. LLCs in Shams are entitled to open a bank account and sponsor employees.

Branch

Shams permits pre-existing companies to open a branch in the free zone. The branch shares its identity, profits, returns, expenses, debts, and liabilities with the parent company. Once registered, the branch can open a bank account and sponsor employees.

Shams provides a wide range of options to facilitate business operations, ensuring flexibility and growth opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses across various industries.

Companies incorporated in Sharjah Media City (Shams) free zone are required to lease a workspace within the free zone. Shams provides a variety of workspace options tailored to different business needs, such as staffing, visa requirements, and operational scale. Below are the available office space choices:

Dedicated Desk

A dedicated desk provides a designated workspace for your company within a co-working area. With this option, you gain access to essential amenities, including WiFi, printer facilities, and a shared meeting room.

Shared Desk

A shared desk offers flexible space that can be shared with other business owners. It comes with pre-installed WiFi and printer access, along with meeting room facilities. This option is ideal for small business owners seeking to expand their professional network while managing daily operations.

Dedicated Office

A dedicated office is a private workspace exclusively reserved for your Shams free zone company. These offices offer flexible seating arrangements and can be locked when not in use. Depending on the needs of your business, a dedicated office can accommodate a single desk or multiple desks. The space is equipped with WiFi, printers, and access to a common meeting room, providing a fully functional work environment.

Shams offers these flexible workspace options to suit the diverse requirements of businesses, making it easier for entrepreneurs to operate in a supportive and collaborative environment.

There are two main options for registering a new company in the UAE: setting up a mainland company or opting for a free zone.

• Mainland Company Setup: This option requires partnership with a UAE national and often involves higher costs and strict regulations, with limited foreign ownership.
• Free Zone Company Setup: This option is more favorable for many media businesses. It offers lower costs, simpler compliance, and 100% foreign ownership.

Among various UAE free zones, Sharjah Media City (Shams) Free Zone is especially suited to media businesses, providing specialized support for media and creative industries.

Benefits of Shams Free Zone for Media Companies

Shams Free Zone’s media-focused approach offers several advantages to boost the growth of media businesses:

1. One of the Lowest UAE Free Zone Company Formation Costs

Shams Free Zone is among the most affordable options for company setup in the UAE. It offers a low-cost setup specifically for media licenses, making it ideal for startups and expanding media businesses.

2. Freelance Business Setup Packages

Shams Free Zone provides special packages for freelancers in media at subsidized rates. These packages cover:

• Free zone company setup and license
• Office space leasing
• Visa allocation
• Immigration card and e-channel registration

These benefits make it easy and cost-effective for media freelancers to establish themselves in the UAE.

3. Flexible Company Forms

Shams Free Zone supports two main types of company structures:

• Limited Liability Company (LLC): For those setting up a new business, an LLC limits personal liability to the amount invested in the company.
• Branch Office: Existing media companies (inside or outside the UAE) can expand by opening a branch office in Shams Free Zone, taking advantage of the media-friendly environment.

4. Special Facilities and Shams Film Commission

Shams Free Zone is committed to fostering creativity. It has implemented:

• An Influencers Platform: This digital marketplace connects companies with social media influencers for collaborative campaigns.
• Shams Film Commission: With Sharjah’s stunning landscapes, Shams Free Zone aims to become a filming destination, supporting film and content creation in the region.

5. Workshops and Seminars

Shams Free Zone regularly hosts workshops, seminars, and exhibitions tailored to media businesses. Some events focus on specialized skills, like photography, filmmaking, and cinematography, while seminars provide networking opportunities with industry experts. Shams Free Zone companies are also invited to business community sessions, enhancing collaboration and growth.

Set Up Your Media Business in Shams Free Zone

Shams Free Zone is an excellent choice for media companies looking to establish or expand in the UAE. With its focus on supporting creative industries, affordable setup options, and access to a vibrant community, it offers a strong foundation for media businesses to thrive.

In today’s world, startups are booming, with new businesses launching across various industries. From scientific research to small delivery outlets, entrepreneurship is thriving. However, many individuals with great business ideas hesitate to execute them.

Why? Often, it’s due to the perceived challenges of setting up a company: high initial investment, complex finances, audits, taxes, and more. But in the UAE, there’s a solution that can ease these hurdles—Shams Free Zone. Below, we discuss the common challenges of new business setups in the UAE and how Shams Free Zone, powered by Rotanabiz, addresses them.

Common Challenges and How Shams Free Zone Solves Them

1. Initial Investment

Starting a company often requires significant initial investment in the form of setup costs, government fees, and share capital. New entrepreneurs may find this daunting, especially with limited profits initially.

Shams Free Zone makes this easier by offering one of the most affordable setup costs in the UAE—starting from as low as AED 5,750. Additionally, the share capital requirement is only AED 10,000, one of the lowest in the region, and it doesn’t need to be deposited in a bank.

2. Office Space

Finding affordable and appropriately sized office space can be challenging. Entrepreneurs often worry about overspending on large spaces or outgrowing smaller ones.

Shams Free Zone offers flexible and affordable workspace options, including:

• Shared Desks
• Dedicated Desks
• Shared Offices
• Dedicated Offices

These options allow you to scale up or down as your business grows, ensuring your office setup is just right for your needs.

3. Auditing Requirements

Not every entrepreneur is a financial expert, and for many, managing financial compliance can be a daunting task. Hiring financial professionals is costly, especially for startups.

Shams Free Zone simplifies this by keeping financial compliance minimal. There’s no need for lengthy financial statements, audits, or complex bookkeeping standards. All you need to focus on is running your business.

4. Taxes

Taxes are a significant concern, especially for new companies. In many jurisdictions, early profits can be eroded by taxes, which can discourage entrepreneurs.

In Shams Free Zone, however, taxes are virtually nonexistent. Located in a tax-free jurisdiction in the UAE, there is 0% corporate tax and 0% personal income tax. Additionally, the UAE government allows 100% repatriation of capital and profits, meaning all profits are yours to keep.

5. Training and Skill Development

Training is essential for growth, and an untrained workforce can negatively impact a company. Shams Free Zone regularly hosts training sessions for business owners and employees, enhancing their skills and knowledge.

Additionally, Shams Free Zone provides its companies with opportunities to showcase their offerings at high-profile events like GITEX Expo and Seamless Middle East.

Ready to Launch Your Business?

With Shams Free Zone, many of the typical hurdles of starting a business are removed. From affordable setup costs to flexible office spaces and tax-free benefits, Shams makes it easy to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams. If you’re ready to start your journey, our consultants at Rotanabiz are here to assist with tailored Shams Free Zone company formation solutions.

Kick-start your business journey in the UAE with confidence—reach out to our experts at Rotanabiz today!