SHAMS

Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) is a free zone established in the emirate of Sharjah, UAE, in 2016. It is a world-class free zone designed to accommodate innovation and creativity in the media and creative industries. With its unique mission to inspire business growth with creative entrepreneurship, SHAMS has become a popular choice for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to establish a presence in the UAE.

Located in the cultural capital of the UAE, Sharjah, SHAMS provides a vibrant eco-system with great innovation where people live, learn and co-create. The free zone offers a range of facilities and services that set a benchmark for those looking to launch their business in the media and creative industries. The facilities in SHAMS attract entrepreneurs, providing smart services coupled with a holistic community-centered approach.

One of the benefits of SHAMS is its legal independence over licensing and media regulations while being governed by the laws of the UAE and Sharjah. This allows SHAMS to support localized content and motivate entrepreneurial talent within the deserving community. SHAMS offers various types of licenses, including commercial, service, and industrial licenses. Entrepreneurs have the option to apply for up to six activities under one license.

The process of establishing a business in SHAMS is straightforward. Business operations in the free zone require a minimum share capital of AED 100,000 for all business entities. However, it is optional, and if you prefer to have a share capital, SHAMS will provide a bank letter to open a bank account in the name of the proposed business entity. Once the license is issued, the capital amount can be utilized for operational purposes. While choosing the capital option, the incorporation process may go longer.

In some cases, a manager needs to be appointed who requires a resident visa of the company under the sponsorship of the free zone authority. To validate the visa, the manager should enter the country at least once in six months. SHAMS also offers visa and immigration services to help entrepreneurs and their employees obtain the necessary documents to live and work in the UAE.

SHAMS offers a range of facilities and services, including offices, co-working spaces, and warehouses, as well as access to high-speed internet, printing and scanning services, and meeting rooms. The free zone provides an attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses in the media and creative industries looking to establish a presence in the UAE.

SHAMS free zone offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to establish a presence in the media and creative industries in the UAE. With its world-class facilities, services, and commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and creativity, SHAMS is well-positioned to help shape the future of the media industry in the region.

Benefits of Company Setup in SHAMS

• Allow allocation of up to 6 visas on shared desk facility
• They don’t require initial deposits
• Get investor visas with no age limitations
• Get the ability to appoint corporate directors
• The companies will have limited liability
• Get 100% repatriation of profits and capital
• Get complete foreign ownership
• Free from corporate or personal tax
• Strategically located, 5 minutes from Sharjah Airport and 25 minutes from Dubai airport.

• 100% foreign ownership: SHAMS allows for 100% foreign ownership, meaning that entrepreneurs and businesses can retain full control over their business without the need for a local sponsor or partner.

• Tax-free environment: SHAMS is located in a tax-free environment, which means that businesses do not have to pay corporate or personal income tax.

• Wide range of business activities: SHAMS offers a wide range of business activities that are tailored to the needs of the media and creative industries, including advertising, media production, publishing, and more.

• Strategic location: Sharjah is strategically located between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, making it an ideal location for businesses that want to access both of these important business hubs. SHAMS is located near Sharjah International Airport, providing easy access to international markets.

• World-class facilities: SHAMS offers world-class facilities that are designed to meet the needs of businesses in the media and creative industries, including fully furnished offices, production studios, co-working spaces, and more.

• Easy company setup process: The company setup process in SHAMS is straightforward and streamlined, with dedicated support from the SHAMS team to help businesses through every step of the process.

• Supportive business ecosystem: SHAMS provides a supportive business ecosystem that includes business support services, networking events, and access to a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and businesses.

• Access to talent: SHAMS is located in Sharjah, which is known for its talented workforce in the media and creative industries. This provides businesses with access to a pool of skilled and experienced professionals.

Facilities in Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)

 Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) offers a range of facilities for entrepreneurs and businesses in the media and creative industries. Some of the key facilities in SHAMS include:

• Offices: SHAMS offers fully furnished and serviced offices that are equipped with high-speed internet, telephones, and meeting rooms. The offices are designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to large enterprises.

• Co-working spaces: SHAMS also offers co-working spaces that provide entrepreneurs and freelancers with a collaborative and creative environment to work in. The co-working spaces are equipped with high-speed internet, printing and scanning services, and meeting rooms.

• Warehouses: For businesses that require storage space, SHAMS offers warehouses that are equipped with state-of-the-art security systems and climate control technology.

• Production facilities: SHAMS provides production facilities for businesses in the media and creative industries, including film and TV production studios, sound stages, and editing suites.

• Virtual offices: For businesses that do not require a physical presence in SHAMS, virtual offices are available. Virtual offices provide businesses with a prestigious address and a range of services, including mail handling and telephone answering services.

• Business support services: SHAMS offers a range of business support services, including legal and accounting services, marketing and branding services, and visa and immigration services.

Overall, SHAMS provides a range of facilities and services that are designed to meet the needs of businesses in the media and creative industries. With its world-class facilities and commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and creativity, SHAMS is well-positioned to help businesses thrive in the UAE.

Structuring of Business Operations in the Freezones

Business operations in a Free Zone can be structured in either one of the following ways:

• SHAMS LLC (with one or up to 50 shareholders)
• Part or branch of a foreign company
• Part of a locally incorporated company

Features of Company Setup in SHAMS

• Sharjah media city can be incorporated with one or a maximum 50 shareholders
• The shareholder can be either individual or a corporate entity
• The capital requirement for SHAMS LLC is around AED 100,000. The capital contributed for SHAMS LLC can be used to run its operations. An initial deposit of capital amount is optional.
• Sharjah media city LLC need not file its audited annual accounts to the free zone authority.
• The companies in SHAMS LLC are regulated by the rules and regulations of the free zone authority.

Features of Branch Office 

• A branch is usually an extension of the parent company
• They don’t require any minimum capital
• The audited financials are not required to be submitted to the FZ authority.
• The branch office has no special implementation rules and regulations in the free zone.
• The branch requires only a single manager

Sharjah media city free zone aims to build an innovative business hub for the media industry. It supports a wide range of businesses that wish to embark on their entrepreneurial journey in the UAE. Get a creative workspace in Sharjah media city to foster your business requirements!