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Sharjah · Free Zone

Sharjah Media City Free Zone

Affordable Media & Creative Hub Starting from AED 5,750

AED 5,750 /year 5-14 working days setup 15 visas 4.7★ 3.8k reviews

What is Sharjah Media City Free Zone?

Budget-friendly Sharjah free zone specializing in media, creative, and general business licensing. Popular for its extremely competitive pricing and freelancer packages.

Key Features & Benefits

  • 100% foreign ownership
  • 0% corporate/income tax
  • Among the lower-cost UAE free zone options
  • Freelancer license from AED 5,750
  • Virtual office options available
  • Quick online setup
  • Growing partner ecosystem (logistics via DHL Express UAE)

Pricing & Costs

From AED 5,750/yr

Year 1 costs, renewals, and multi-year discounts

Year 1 cost range

Sharjah Media City Free Zone Year 1 cost range: AED 6K to AED 25K, median AED 15K.AED 6K – AED 25K (median AED 15K)AED 6K – AED 25K (median AED 15K)
as of May 2026

Pricing

Sharjah Media City Free Zone — Year 1 Fees

Last verified: May 2026

License Packages ⓘ

Freelancer (no visa)

AED 5,750/year
  • License
  • Registration

Starter (1 visa)

AED 12,000/year
  • License
  • 1 visa
  • Virtual address

Business (3 visas)

AED 22,000/year
  • License
  • 3 visas
  • Flexi desk

Note. Multi-year licenses (2–3 years) are typically eligible for a 15–20% discount when paid upfront.

Government Immigration Fees ⓘ

Visa Costs every 2 years, per person

Renewal Fees ⓘ

Yearly
License Renewalⓘ AED 5,750 – 5,750
Every 2 Years
Visa RenewalⓘEvery 2 years (per person) AED 3,000 – 4,500

All prices are in AED and exclude 5% VAT where applicable. Prices may change — verify directly with the freezone authority before making decisions. Last verified: May 2026

Setup & Documents

5-14 days

Step-by-step process, timeline, and required documents

Setup Roadmap

Your journey from application to fully operational business.

5–14 working days 100% Remote No Visit Required
Step 1 1 day

Choose Business Activity

Select your business activity and license type from Sharjah Media City Free Zone's approved list

Step 2 1-2 days

Reserve Trade Name

Submit trade name application for approval

Step 3 1-2 days

Submit Documents

Upload passport copies, application form, and supporting documents

Step 4 1 day

Pay License & Registration Fees

Complete payment for license and registration fees to Sharjah Media City Free Zone

Step 5 5-14 days

Receive Trade License

License issued after document verification and payment confirmation

Step 6 2-4 weeks

Apply for Visa & Open Bank Account

Submit visa application and business bank account opening

Open for business.

License to Ready: typical timeline

From licence issuance through visa processing, bank account opening, and operational readiness. Estimates based on published rates and typical UAE freezone reported timelines as of May 2026.

Typically 47 days (range 27 days–66 days)License5–14 daysVisa7–21 daysBank14–28 daysReady1–3 days
as of May 2026

Document Checklist

Everything you need to register your company with Sharjah Media City Free Zone.

Individual Shareholders

5 documents

  • Valid passport (6+ months validity)
  • Passport-size photograph
  • Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
  • Proof of address (utility bill <3 months)
  • NOC from current sponsor (if applicable)

Corporate Shareholders

7 documents

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Memorandum & Articles of Association
  • Board resolution authorizing UAE setup
  • Valid passport of authorized signatory
  • Share certificate
  • Good standing certificate
  • Apostilled/attested documents (if outside GCC)
Good to Know
  • Passport copies must show at least 6 months validity from application date
  • Documents from outside the GCC may require apostille or attestation
  • Upload high-quality colour scans — minimum 300 DPI
  • Corporate documents should be certified as true copies

Banking & Payments

2/5 ease · 3 partner banks

Bank account opening, partner banks, and payment setup

Banking

Corporate bank account opening, IBAN issued at setup where supported.

★★ ★★★ Challenging Banking ease — methodology ★★★★★ Major banks actively onboard new entities; average opening <2 weeks ★★★★ Most major banks accept; 2–4 weeks ★★★ Some banks accept; 4–6 weeks ★★ Challenging to open; 6–10 weeks ★ Typically requires special structuring
3 Partner Banks
2-4 weeks Account Opening

Partner Banks

Emirates NBD

Major UAE bank with comprehensive business banking

Mashreq Bank

Digital-first banking with StartUp packages

RAKBANK

SME-friendly banking solutions

Documents Needed

Trade License
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum & Articles of Association
Passport copy of all shareholders
Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
Brief company profile
Proof of business activity (contracts, invoices)
3 months personal bank statement
Tips for Faster Approval
  • Apply to 2–3 banks simultaneously to maximise approval chances
  • Prepare a clear business plan explaining your revenue model
  • Have 3–5 sample contracts or invoices ready — even drafts work
  • Consider digital banks like Wio for faster approval and zero minimum balance
Independent Advice

Not sure if Sharjah Media City Free Zone is right for you?

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Why Sharjah Media City Free Zone?

8 key advantages

Key advantages that set this free zone apart

Why Sharjah Media City Free Zone?

What makes this free zone stand out.

5-14 Day Setup

Standard company formation timeline. Fully remote setup available — no office visit required.

3 Partner Banks

Banking rated 2/5 (Challenging). Account opening typically takes 2-4 weeks.

Up to 15 Visas

2 years validity. Dependents allowed. Flexible allocation based on package.

0% Corporate Tax

On qualifying free zone income (QFZP status). 100% foreign ownership with full capital repatriation.

Mainland Trading Access

Multiple pathways to the mainland market including DET Permit and branch licensing.

Sharjah Location

Located in Sharjah Media City, 20 minutes from Dubai and 10 minutes from Sharjah International Airport

Among the lower-cost UAE free zone op...

A key advantage of setting up your business in Sharjah Media City Free Zone.

Freelancer license from AED 5,750

A key advantage of setting up your business in Sharjah Media City Free Zone.

Recommended For
  • Media, marketing, and advertising agencies
  • E-commerce and online retail businesses
  • Management and business consultants
  • Creative arts and design studios
Consider Alternatives If
  • Businesses needing warehouse or industrial facilities
  • Businesses requiring specialized regulatory oversight not offered by this zone

Reviews

4.7★ (3,812 reviews)

Customer reviews and alternatives
Top Rated Service 2026 4.7 based on 3.8K reviews

Sourced from Google Maps — Last pulled May 2026

Reviews shown are unfiltered. Negative reviews often relate to third-party setup agencies rather than the freezone authority itself.

H. W March 2026

I would like to sincerely thank Ms. Sudipta for her outstanding service and support. She was incredibly helpful and guided me every step of the way. Her responsiveness and professionalism made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Ms. Sudipta was always available to answer my questions and address any concerns promptly. Her dedication, patience, and attention to detail truly made a difference. I greatly appreciate her assistance and highly recommend her for her excellent service.

karuppusamy g March 2026

The most difficult part in business startup is to START. "Shams FZ" make it easy. "Hiten Dhanak" very helpful and supportive to clarify the doubts whenever asked. "Sudipta" very supportive to the corporate bank setup and I wonder the way she was following up every day to make sure things are on track. Finally Special thanks to "Shams FZ" and their wonderful customer support. Their portal is amazing where we can manage all the business related services quickly.

Vignesh Lakshmanasamy March 2026

I would like to sincerely thank Sudipta for her excellent banking assistance during my bank account opening process. She was extremely supportive, patient, and professional throughout the entire journey. Sudipta clearly explained every step, promptly responded to my questions, and ensured the process was smooth and stress-free. Her dedication and willingness to help truly made a difference, especially for someone navigating banking formalities for the first time. Really appreciate her support and highly recommend her to anyone needing reliable banking assistance. Thank you, Sudipta! 🙏🏻

Kyaw Aung March 2026

I had an excellent experience with Shams Free Zone. From obtaining my business license to opening a bank account, the entire process was smooth and efficient. A special thanks to Sudipta, who was exceptionally helpful and attentive throughout. Thanks to her support, my company’s bank account was opened in a very short time. Highly recommended.

eworld clt March 2026

I had an excellent experience opening my Bank account with Mashreq Neo. Sudipta was extremely professional, fast, and very helpful throughout the entire onboarding process. She guided me clearly at every step and completed everything in just one day — much faster than I expected. Truly impressed with her efficiency and support.

Review data as of 29 March 2026. For the latest reviews, visit Google Maps.

Find Sharjah Media City Free Zone on Google Maps

View location, hours, photos, and real-time reviews from Google Maps.

See reviews on Google Maps Leave a review

Reviews shown on Google Maps are from verified visitors and updated in real-time by Google.

Is Sharjah Media City Free Zone Right for You?

✅ Choose Sharjah Media City Free Zone if you...

  • • media, marketing, and advertising agencies
  • • e-commerce and online retail businesses
  • • management and business consultants
  • • creative arts and design studios

🔄 Consider alternatives if you...

  • • businesses needing warehouse or industrial facilities
  • • businesses requiring specialized regulatory oversight not offered by this zone

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FAQ

7 common questions

Common questions about setting up in this free zone

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about setting up in Sharjah Media City Free Zone.

How much does it cost to set up in Sharjah Media City Free Zone?
First-year costs typically range from AED 5,750 – 25,000, depending on license type, office choice, and number of visas. This includes the trade license, registration, and basic setup but excludes visa processing costs.
How long does it take to set up a company in Sharjah Media City Free Zone?
The standard setup process typically takes 5-14 working days, depending on document completeness and license type. Some zones offer expedited processing for an additional fee.
How many visas can I get with Sharjah Media City Free Zone?
Visa allocation depends on your office space and package. Based on package selected. Each visa costs approximately AED 3,000 – 4,500 for processing.
Can I sell to mainland UAE customers with a Sharjah Media City Free Zone license?
Free zone companies cannot directly sell to mainland customers without additional permits. You can obtain a DET permit, mainland branch license, or service agent agreement to access the mainland market. E-commerce sales are generally permitted with appropriate approvals.
Do I pay corporate tax in Sharjah Media City Free Zone?
Companies classified as Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP) benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income. Non-qualifying income is subject to the standard 9% UAE corporate tax rate. Personal income tax remains 0%.
Do I need a physical office in Sharjah Media City Free Zone?
No, Sharjah Media City Free Zone offers flexi-desk and virtual office options that satisfy UAE compliance requirements. You can upgrade to a private office or warehouse as your business grows.
How do I open a bank account with a Sharjah Media City Free Zone license?
After receiving your trade license, you can apply for a business bank account with any UAE bank. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks. Required documents include your trade license, certificate of incorporation, passport copies, and proof of business activity.

Related guides

Deeper reading on topics relevant to Sharjah Media City Free Zone.

Compare Sharjah Media City Free Zone

Side-by-side head-to-head comparisons with other UAE freezones — cost, setup, banking, visas.

Official source

Sharjah Media City Free Zone official website and published tariffs

Last verified: June 2026

Report incorrect data Verify at source →

FreezoneMatch provides comparison tools based on publicly available data. We are not affiliated with Sharjah Media City Free Zone. Costs and regulations change — always confirm directly with the freezone authority before making decisions.

Sources: Sharjah Media City Free Zone official siteSEDD (Sharjah Economic Development Department)Google Maps reviews Last verified June 2026

Independent Advice

Not sure if Sharjah Media City Free Zone is right for you?

Talk to a FreezoneMatch advisor — we don't work for any freezone, so you'll get honest, unbiased guidance to find the right fit for your business.

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Or contact Sharjah Media City Free Zone directly

www.shams.ae
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