If you dream of being a creative entrepreneur, consider setting up your business in the SHAMS free zone. SHAMS free zone, which is another name for Sharjah Media City free zone, is quickly becoming a top location for setting up a free zone company in the UAE. The reason is that SHAMS provides features and services designed for creative startups as well as more seasoned companies. Let’s explore the benefits and steps for company formation in Sharjah Media City free zone!
What is Sharjah Media City Free Zone, UAE?
In the United Arab Emirates, SHAMS, which was formed in 2017, is a fast-growing media and creative free zone. The purpose of this hub is to stimulate entrepreneurship, and it is especially interested in helping new entrepreneurs in Sharjah. If you want to establish a company with the help of the SHAMS portal, you should be aware that a license from the SHAMS authority is required. Companies, freelancers and entrepreneurs working in the media, technology and creative sectors are the main recipients of this license type.
Importantly, under SHAMS, you can register your company online, which is very useful for international investors. It takes three to seven days to register a company in the SHAMS free zone.
Benefits Of SHAMS Free Zone Company Formation
SHAMS offers many benefits for businesses that make it a popular choice for those who invest or want to start up a company in the area:
- Creating a business in SHAMS portal freezone is more affordable, giving businesses and entrepreneurs alike a chance to make use of it.
- Forming a company in the Sharjah Freezone allows you to take part in a wide range of business activities under a single license.
- If you cross-register, you may obtain up to six visas, which increases your staffing freedom.
- You are able to set up your company within SHAMS Remotely, which makes it convenient for investors from abroad.
- Limited Liability Companies (LLC) simply mean business owners are protected against losing personal assets.
- SHAMS is located just 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 5 minutes from Sharjah International Airport.
Types of Licenses Available in the SHAMS Free Zone
The following are the types of business licenses that SHAMS free zone offers:
- Service License – Giving you the authority to produce, reproduce, change and distribute services of different types. A service license package allows someone to supply a service and also make use of goods to do so.
- Industrial License – You can engage in businesses that produce, reproduce, transform or manufacture goods.
- Trade License – Holding a trade license allows you to market and ship items within or outside the zone or to outside regions. The trade license applies to the movement of goods, selling them wholesale, selling them at retail and providing services relating to the sale of these products. Wholesaling and retailing are the last parts of getting goods to the market.
Steps for Company Formation in Sharjah Media Free Zone
Here is how you set up a company with Sharjah Media City Freezone (SHAMS):
Step 1: Choose the Business Activities
Pick the activities your business will undertake and find the license that matches the SHAMS Free Zone. Choosing wisely is important because mistakes with activity, registration authority or location may result in delays when setting up a business or opening a bank account.
Step 2: Decide on a Business Structure
Specify the legal format of your business in the SHAMS Free Zone. You have the choice to register as one of the following business structures when forming your company in Sharjah Media City:
- A Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- A Foreign Company’s Operation in a Different Country
Step 4: Provide Required Documents
You only need a few documents to start a company in Sharjah Media City, and the process can be done online. The required company documents consist of:
- You must have a passport that won’t expire within the next six months.
- The user’s phone number and email
- Three names that have been suggested for the company
- An indication that a business is active
What you need to submit varies depending on how you set up your business in Sharjah Media City. With Xpert Advisory, you can benefit from expert opinions and full services in forming a SHAMS Free Zone Company.
Step 5: Get the License and Registration Papers
As soon as your application is approved, the SHAMS freezone authority will hand over the necessary documents for the business setup in Sharjah Media City.
- Documentation certificate
- Trade license
- Lease agreement
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
Step 5: Get your Establishment Card
Important company details, along with their assigned visa quotas, are part of the establishment card. Most people get their tax credit between 3 and 5 working days after applying.
Step 6: Get an Entry Permit
Outside the UAE, you are given 60 days from the permit to come, take medical tests and have your biometrics recorded for your visa. If you are in the UAE, the immigration department will handle the status change right from your existing visa.
Step 7: Get Your Medical Tests Done and Apply for a Visa
Get a medical examination and deliver the required documents for your residence permit. The package and organisation set the number of visas you can use for the type you pick.
Step 8: Wait for Your Emirates ID
With your visa, you can go ahead and apply for your Emirates ID, which is usually ready for pickup after about 5-7 days.
Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account
In the end, open a business account through a UAE-based bank, whether it’s a local or foreign bank, to handle company transactions.
Documents After Company Formation in Sharjah Media City
When you finish the company formation in Sharjah Media City, you get these important documents:
- Certificate of Incorporation: This is the official documentation that your company has been formed within the SHAMS free zone.
- License: Your business’s legal name, address and how it is organised are shown here.
- Memorandum of Association: A Paper that spells out the rules your company is built on.
- Share Certificate: A proof that someone owns shares in a company.
- Occupancy Agreement: A document that gives your company’s address for lease purposes.
How Long Does It Take to Set Up a Company In SHAMS Free Zone?
SHAMS issues licenses after a processing period that can change according to the type of business and the completeness of your paperwork. In essence, SHAMS intends to make the business setup faster and without delays. There are a few points to keep in mind about how long the process will take:
- The faster you complete and submit all needed documents, the more quickly your application can be processed. Double-check that you have all the required documents ready before you begin applying.
- Depending on the kind of company license you apply for, the processing time is not always the same. Not all licenses are processed the same way or in the same timeframe.
- After you apply and submit your papers, SHAMS will check to see if your application is compliant. How much time you need to wait for the review depends on how busy the free zone authority is and how complicated your application is.
- Make sure to communicate with SHAMS and respond quickly if you’re asked for additional information.
- Processing times can be affected when there are holidays, new regulations from authorities or sudden events.
Final Words
Company formation in Sharjah Media City is the ideal move for investors and entrepreneurs who want quick, low-cost and flexible procedures. With SHAMS, you can start and grow your business easily because of full ownership, a range of licenses, online registration and access to essential industry events and information. Whether you are a media, tech or creative enthusiast, SHAMS supports you with the tools necessary to succeed in the UAE.
Also, if you need guidance on the SHAMS company registration process, Xpert Advisory makes the process easy for you. Our team helps with company formation in SHAMS, handling license selection, paperwork, visas, account opening and all other legal procedures. So, contact us now and let us handle these complicated tasks for you!
FAQs
What Is The Cheapest Option Among Sharjah’s Free Zones?
Setting up a business in Sharjah at Shams Free Zone is considered one of the cheapest options available. Starting from AED 5,750* for their licenses, it makes company setup both affordable and flexible.
What Is the Business Setup Cost In Sharjah Media City?
You need to pay between AED 5,750* and AED 12,000* when starting a business at Sharjah Media City SHAMS, for one business type. A visa cost is included along with shared desk facilities in the price. You can also expect to pay AED 14,000* to AED 16,000* for everything needed in your business.
How Much Time Is Allowed on a Sharjah Free Zone Visa?
SAIF Zone grants residents a 3-year visa for investors and a 2-year visa for employees, starting on the day the visa is issued.
