Shams Free Zone Business Setup: Complete Guide for Beginners in the UAE

You have a great business idea. Maybe it’s an online store, a consultancy service, digital marketing, IT support, or content creation. You’re already busy with your job, family, and daily responsibilities. You want to start a business in the UAE, but the words license, visa, approvals, free zones feel confusing and overwhelming.

You start Googling, and suddenly there’s too much information. Mainland or free zone? High costs? Long paperwork? Physical office needed?

This is exactly where Shams Free Zone becomes a relief for many beginners and working professionals.

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Shams Free Zone business setup in a clear, simple, and practical way — no complicated language, no legal jargon.

What Is Shams Free Zone?

Shams Free Zone (Sharjah Media City Free Zone) is a government-approved free zone in Sharjah, UAE. It was launched to support modern entrepreneurs, freelancers, startups, and small businesses.

What makes Shams different is that it is:

• Affordable
• Flexible
• 100% digital
• Beginner-friendly

You don’t need years of experience or a big investment to start here.

Who Is Shams Free Zone Best For?

Shams Free Zone is ideal if you are:

• A working professional starting a side business
• A first-time entrepreneur in the UAE
• A freelancer or consultant
• An online business owner or e-commerce seller
• Someone who wants a low-cost UAE company license
• An expat who wants to start a business without NOC

If you want a simple and fast setup, Shams Free Zone fits perfectly.

Why Choose Shams Free Zone Business Setup?

Let’s talk about the real benefits that matter to beginners and busy people.

1. 100% Online & Paperless Setup

You don’t need to visit offices or stand in queues.

With Shams:

• Registration is online
• Payments are online
• License is issued digitally

You can even apply from outside the UAE.

2. Low Cost Compared to Other Free Zones

One of the biggest reasons people choose Shams is affordability.

You can start a company at a much lower cost compared to Dubai free zones, while still getting a UAE-registered business.

This makes shms free zone businesss setup attractive for startups and freelancers.

3. Multiple Business Activities Under One License

Shams allows you to choose up to 5 business activities under one license, even if they belong to different industries.

This flexibility is a big advantage if you:

• Offer multiple services
• Want to test different ideas
• Plan to expand later

4. No NOC Required

Already employed in the UAE?

Good news:
Shams does not require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current employer in most cases.

This is a huge benefit for working professionals.

5. No Physical Office Needed

You don’t need to rent an office or shop.

Shams provides:

• Flexi desk / virtual lease agreement
• Legal business address

This keeps your setup cost low.

Shams Free Zone Business Activities Explained

One common question beginners ask is:
“What business can I do in Shams Free Zone?”

The answer: almost anything modern and digital-friendly.

Here are popular business activitoes available:

Popular Business Activities

• E-Commerce
• General Trading
• Management Consultancy
• IT Services
• Marketing Consultancy
• Advertising
• Accounting & Bookkeeping
• Media Content Creation
• Online Publishing
• Holding Company Activities

Media & Publishing Activities

Shams is especially known for media-related businesses:

• Content creation
• Online magazines
• Advertising permits
• Photography permits
• Publishing licenses

These are perfect for creators, agencies, and freelancers.

Trading & E-Commerce

• General Trading
• Specific Trading
• Online selling (Amazon, Noon, Shopify, etc.)

Shams Trader Package is designed specifically for this.

Shams Free Zone Packages and Cost

Here is a clean, easy-to-understand table listing all Shams Free Zone packages, suitable for beginners and busy professionals.

Shams Free Zone Packages, Visas & Cost (Summary Table)

Package Name	Visa Option	Starting Cost (AED)	Activities Allowed	Best For
Media Package	Zero Visa	5,750	Up to 3 Media / E-commerce activities	Content creators, media companies, freelancers
Media Package (with Visa)	1 Visa	From 7,350	Up to 3 Media / E-commerce activities	Media professionals needing UAE visa
Shams Trader Package	Zero Visa	6,500	General Trading & E-commerce only	Online sellers, traders
Freelancer Package	Zero Visa	7,745	Up to 3 activities (1 media activity mandatory)	Freelancers, consultants
Freelancer Package	1 Visa	15,786	Up to 3 activities (1 media activity mandatory)	Solo professionals needing visa
Standard Package	Zero Visa	8,050	Any 3 activities (Trading / Services / Consultancy)	Startups, small businesses
Standard Package	1 Visa	19,775	Any 3 activities	Growing businesses
Free Visa for Life Package	1 Visa	19,856	Any 3 activities	Long-term UAE residents
All Inclusive Visa Package	1 Visa	14,786	Any approved activities	Entrepreneurs wanting full visa support
All Inclusive Visa Package	2 Visas	19,786	Any approved activities	Small teams
All Inclusive Visa Package	3 Visas	22,786	Any approved activities	Growing teams
Multi-Year Packages	With / Without Visa	15%–50% Discount	Based on chosen activities	Long-term cost savings

Important Notes

• You can choose up to 5 activities under one license, depending on the package
• Prices are starting costs and may vary based on visa, approvals, and duration
• Multi-year packages (2, 3, 5, or 10 years) offer major savings
• All visa packages include license + lease agreement

Now let’s talk about the most important part: packages and cost.

Shams offers multiple options based on whether you need a visa or not.

1. Media Package (Zero Visa)

• Starting from AED 5,750
• Choose up to 3 media activities
• Includes license + lease

Best for content creators and media professionals.

2. Shams Trader Package (Zero Visa)

• Starting from AED 6,500
• Activities limited to:
  • General Trading
  • E-Commerce

Best for online sellers.

3. Freelancer Package

Zero Visa option

• Around AED 7,745

One Visa option

• Around AED 15,786

Best for:

• Consultants
• Freelancers
• Solo professionals

4. Standard Package

Zero Visa

• Starting from AED 8,050

One Visa

• Around AED 19,775

Allows a mix of:

• Trading
• Services
• Consultancy

5. All-Inclusive Visa Packages

These are popular because they include:

• Visa
• Emirates ID
• Medical
• Immigration card

Prices range from:

• AED 14,786 (1 visa)
• AED 19,786 (2 visas)
• AED 22,786 (3 visas)

Multi-Year Packages

Shams also offers:

• 2-year
• 3-year
• 5-year
• 10-year licenses

With discounts up to 50%, helping you save long-term.

Documents Required for Shams Free Zone Business Setup

Another big relief:
Minimal paperwork.

Here are the basic documenets required:

For Most Applicants

• Passport copy
• Passport-size photo
• Business activity selection
• Application form

That’s it in most cases.

If You Apply for a Visa

Additional documents may include:

• Entry permit processing
• Medical fitness test
• Emirates ID application

Everything is guided step-by-step.

Special Approvals (If Required)

Some business activities need:

• Pre-approval or post-approval from authorities

Shams will inform you clearly if this applies to your activity.

How Long Does the Setup Take?

One of the fastest in the UAE.

• License approval: 3–7 working days
• Visa processing (if required): 2–3 weeks

For busy people, this speed is a big advantage.

Bank Account Opening Support

Opening a UAE bank account can be tricky — but Shams helps.

They:

• Connect you with banking partners
• Guide you through documentation
• Improve approval chances

This is very helpful for beginners.

Common Questions Beginners Ask

Can I work with UAE clients?

Yes, through proper agreements and compliance.

Can I upgrade my package later?

Yes. Activities, visas, and packages can be upgraded.

Can I sponsor family?

Yes, once you have a residence visa.

Can I operate from home?

Yes. No physical office needed.

Things to Keep in Mind

While Shams is beginner-friendly, remember:

• Choose activities carefully
• Understand visa limits
• Banking takes time
• Renew your license on time

Getting expert guidance can save time and mistakes.

Final Thoughts: Is Shams Free Zone Right for You?

If you are:

• Busy with work
• New to business
• Looking for low-cost entry
• Want flexibility and speed

Then Shams Free Zone business setup is one of the best options in the UAE.

It removes complexity and makes entrepreneurship accessible — even if you’re just starting out

Thinking of starting your business but still confused?

👉 Get expert help to choose the right Shams Free Zone package, activities, and visa option.
👉 Avoid mistakes, save money, and start faster.

Start Your Shams Free Zone Business with Confidence
Excellent Accountants is an official partner of Shams (Sharjah Media City). We handle everything—from activity selection and license registration to visas and bank account support—so you can focus on building your business.
📞 Call us today: +971 4 338 8085