Sharjah Media City

Tailored solutions for every business

Sharjah is known as the cultural and literature hub of the United Arab Emirates. Having both an international airport and a seaport, the place has excellent connectivity with the world. It has investor-friendly policies and excellent infrastructure facilities that are of great benefit for establishing a business in the region.

Why SHAMS?

• Cost-effective business setup
• 0% corporate or personal income tax
• 100% foreign ownership permitted
• Allocation of up to 12 visas on a shared desk facility
• The quick and simple online registration process
• Wide range of business activities available on the same business license
• Located 15 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport
• Shareholders are not required to be physically present in the UAE to incorporate a new company

Types of licenses issued

There are four types of licenses issued to operate businesses in Shams. They are:

1. Service License

This license is issued for the production, re-production, transformation, and distribution of services. Service license includes rendering services as the primary objective and utilizing goods to provide them.

2. Trading License
This license is required to sell goods within SHAMS or to import and export goods. It includes the movement of goods, wholesale and retail sale of goods, and rendering of services related to the sale of these goods.

3. Industrial License
This license allows for the production, re-production, transformation, and manufacturing of goods.

4. Holding License
These licenses cover more than 120 business activities. You can combine multiple activities in your license.

Company Formation in SHAMS

SHAMS represents a safe and progressive environment for company formation, offering foreign investors benefits, such as zero corporate, import, and export taxes, in addition to other advantages. There are two company formation types in SHAMS.

1. SHAMS LLC

A Shams limited liability company (LLC) is an independent entity whereby the company structure separates the owners and shareholders from the company. Hence the liabilities of the company, whether arising in contract or otherwise, are the company’s liabilities and not the personal liabilities of the shareholders. Equally the company’s assets are the company’s assets and not the personal assets of the shareholders.

2. SHAMS Branch

A SHAMS branch is an entity belonging to an existing parent company. All profits, benefits, gains, and other returns of the branch shall be profits, benefits, gains, and other returns of the parent company. Equally, all costs, expenses, debts, and other liabilities of the branch are costs, expenses, debts, and other liabilities of the parent company.

Documents Required for Company Setup in SHAMS

To set up a company in SHAMS free zone, entrepreneurs are required to submit one or more of the following documents to the concerned authorities based on the type of legal entity:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Memorandum of Association (MOA)
• Articles of Association (AOA)
• Board resolution to establish a new company
• Board resolution to establish a new branch
• Board resolution giving signatory authorization or Power of attorney for the third party
• Certificate of good standing
• Valid trade license
• Supporting documents:
- > Passport copy of the individual shareholder
- >Passport copy of the Director and the Company Secretary
- >Passport copy and UAE visa of General Manager

Visa Requirements

The foreign investor needs to get visas before or during the SHAMS free zone company setup process. A company is eligible to apply for up to 6 visas. All visas are valid for three years.

The two types of visas available are Investor/Partner visa and Employment visa. When you apply for a resident visa under SHAMS free zone license, you need to procure health insurance or sign an undertaking letter that you intend to do within the next 10 months.

How to get a Sharjah Media City license?

• Based on your business activity, select your business license with the help of our team.
• Submit the required documents with us and make the payment.
• Sign the lease agreement based on the selected solutions and move into your premises.

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