When did Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025 take effect?

15 October 2025 per Gibson Dunn and Norton Rose Fulbright. Clyde & Co states 15 November 2025. Several provisions are phased over 12-24 months.

Company Registration in Shams

Government Fee

from 5 760 AED

Processing time

from 7 business days

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Sharjah

Shams (Sharjah Media City) is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2017 in the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE. Despite its name, Shams is not limited to the media industry but offers a wide range of opportunities for companies in sectors such as trade, professional services, IT, education, and e-commerce. The free zone ensures equal opportunities for entrepreneurs at all levels—ranging from individual freelancers and startups to large corporations—by providing tailored solutions for efficient business operations. The free zone boasts modern infrastructure, including coworking spaces and professionally equipped podcast studios, offering entrepreneurs and creative professionals a comfortable environment for work and project execution. Businesses registered in Shams are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE. Shams issues the following types of business licenses: Commercial (wholesale and retail trade) Professional (provision of services) Media With its strategic location and multifunctional infrastructure, Shams has established itself as a versatile business hub that attracts entrepreneurs and investors across various industries, supporting their growth and success in local and international markets.

What you get:

Access to Local and Global Markets
Strategic Location
Remote Company Registration
Full Profit Control
Wide Range of Business Activities
Combining Business Activities
Infrastructure

About Sharjah Media City

Shams (Sharjah Media City) is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2017 in the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE. Despite its name, Shams is not limited to the media industry but offers a wide range of opportunities for companies in sectors such as trade, professional services, IT, education, and e-commerce. The free zone ensures equal opportunities for entrepreneurs at all levels—ranging from individual freelancers and startups to large corporations—by providing tailored solutions for efficient business operations.

The free zone boasts modern infrastructure, including coworking spaces and professionally equipped podcast studios, offering entrepreneurs and creative professionals a comfortable environment for work and project execution. Businesses registered in Shams are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE.

Shams issues the following types of business licenses:

Commercial (wholesale and retail trade)
Professional (provision of services)
Media

With its strategic location and multifunctional infrastructure, Shams has established itself as a versatile business hub that attracts entrepreneurs and investors across various industries, supporting their growth and success in local and international markets.

Recently searched

Printing and service activities related to printing
Sharjah Media City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost13 110 AED
Duration7 bus. days
Go to service
Market Research And Public Opinion Polling
Sharjah Media City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost13 110 AED
Duration7 bus. days
Go to service
Sound recording and music publishing activities
Sharjah Media City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost13 110 AED
Duration7 bus. days
Go to service
Wholesale of household goods
Sharjah Media City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost13 110 AED
Duration7 bus. days
Go to service
Travel agency and tour operator activities
Sharjah Media City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost13 110 AED
Duration7 bus. days
Go to service
Media Training
Sharjah Media City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost13 110 AED
Duration7 bus. days
Go to service

We offer products Shams

Company setup
Services related to the establishment of a new company
Service
Visa Obtaining
Assistance with filling out documents or turnkey visa obtaining services. The services includes various types of resident visas. Tourist and transit visas are not included
Service

Suitable Targets

Local Business

Company registration for conducting business that requires a local presence in the UAE.

International Business

Company registration for conducting business both within specific jurisdictions and outside the UAE, including international wholesale trade and the provision of services at a global level.

Regional Representation

Establishing permanent establishments or subsidiaries to promote interests and coordinate operations in the Middle Eastern market.

Corporate Governance Center

Establishing a management company to coordinate and efficiently oversee the operations of branches and subsidiaries worldwide from a centralized hub in the UAE.

Resident Visa

Company registration for obtaining a UAE residency visa with the right to permanent residence, opening a bank account in UAE banks, and acquiring tax residency.

Popular Business Fields

Information Technology & Communication
01
Media, Marketing & Publishing
02
Professional services
03
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
04
Household & Consumer Goods
05
Hospitality & Tourism
06

Shams Offices and Commercial Premises

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Coworking

Shared DeskA workspace in a coworking with unlimited access during business hours upon prior reservation. Dedicated DeskA dedicated desk in a shared office that can be reserved for an extended period.

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Offices

Private offices with 24/7 access

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Business Spaces

Meeting Rooms Contemporary and fully equipped meeting rooms, designed to be the ideal space for brainstorming and discussions.

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Studios

Professional media spaces equipped with state-of-the-art cameras, lighting, sound recording systems, and editing facilities for filming, photography, and creative production Audio Recording StudiosProfessional audio recording with a variety of microphones, including Rode NTR2, Rode Procaster, and Shure SM7B. Editing and Mixing StationAudio editing and mixing station with M-Audio studio monitors and a mixer using a high-end Core i7 Apple iMac that is equipped with the latest versions of Avid Pro Tools and GarageBand. Podcast StudioCutting-edge podcast studio equipped with a wide range of top-notch equipment and amenities, carefully curated to enhance the recording process. Video Mixing And Dubbing StudioVideo mixing and dubbing editing using Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve. Dubbing FacilitiesDubbing facilities with screens available in the editing booth and recording booth for sync. Production and Shooting StudiosStudios for film production and shooting featuring captivating backdrops, diverse infrastructure, and state-of-the-art facilities for both on-camera work and behind-the-scenes processes.

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Ecosystems

Comprehensive business environments that provide companies with industry-specific infrastructure, networking opportunities, regulatory support, and investment facilitation to drive growth and innovation Gaming CommunityA community created to support and develop gamers of all levels. It provides participants with the opportunity to improve their skills and actively engage in the esports scene. Social and competitive tournaments are held regularly. Lifestyle SpacesFrom bustling fitness center to the lively café and restaurant, there are plenty of places to keep fit, grab a bite to eat, and network with other creatives who share like-minded interests

Requirements for Legal Entities Names

May contain the name of a shareholder
Must not violate the country laws or contain words that are obscene, indecent or generally offensive
Must not contain the names of Allah, Buddha or God, or any other religious terminology
Must not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights
Must not be identical or similar to local/global brands or registered trademarks
Must not contain geographical names, such as the names of emirates, cities, countries and other landmarks

Authorized capital requirements

The minimum share capital required for Shams company is AED 100,000. Its contribution is optional.

Tax Regime and Profit Management

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Since January 1, 2018, the UAE has implemented a VAT rate of 5%, which applies to most goods and services and is charged to companies operating within the country, except for those registered in designated zones.
A Designated Zone is a territory within a free zone that is treated as outside the UAE for tax purposes, allowing goods to be exempt from taxation, provided certain criteria are met. The main taxation rules in Designated Zones are as follows:

The Designated Zones are listed in the Cabinet Decision to Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax (VAT).
Goods moved between or within Designated Zones are not subject to tax.
The export and import of goods between a Designated Zone and a foreign company are also not subject to tax.

For local companies and those registered in Non-Designated Zones (free zones not included in the Designated Zones list), the standard tax rules set forth in the Federal Decree-Law on VAT apply.

Companies with an annual turnover exceeding AED 375,000 are required to register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) as VAT taxpayers.
Companies with a turnover between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000 may register on a voluntary basis.
Companies can offset VAT paid on purchases of goods and services (input VAT) against the VAT they collect on sales (output VAT), shifting the tax burden to the final consumer.
Some goods and services may be exempt from VAT or taxed at a 0% rate, such as international transportation, educational, and medical services.

Corporate Tax

As of June 1, 2023, the UAE has introduced a corporate tax at a rate of 9%, levied on the taxable net profit of companies with income exceeding AED 375,000.
A 0% rate is applied to taxable income not exceeding AED 375,000.
Charitable, non-profit organizations and medical institutions are fully exempt from corporate tax.

Excise Tax

Since October 1, 2017, the UAE has introduced an excise tax aimed at reducing the consumption of harmful products and funding healthcare initiatives. The tax applies to alcohol, tobacco products, and beverages containing added sugar, including energy drinks and carbonated beverages.Excise tax rates vary depending on the product category:

50% on carbonated drinks (excluding mineral water)
100% on tobacco products
100% on energy drinks
100% on electronic smoking devices and liquids used for them
50% on products containing added sugar or sweeteners.

Companies dealing with excise goods must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), submit monthly declarations, and maintain records. Excise tax is paid upon the import, production, or release of goods for consumption in the UAE.

Customs Duties

Custom duties in the UAE are applied to most imported goods at a standard rate of 5% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF). Exceptions include certain categories of goods, such as medicines and food products, which may be exempt from duties or subject to a reduced rate.
Goods imported into UAE free zones are generally not subject to customs duties as long as they remain within these zones. However, when such goods are transferred to the UAE mainland, standard duties apply.

Personal Income Tax

In the UAE, personal income is not subject to taxation.
UAE citizens and residents are exempt from paying taxes on their personal income, including salaries, interest, dividends, inheritances, gifts, luxury goods, and capital gains.

Local Taxes and Fees

Individual emirates may impose specific local taxes and fees in line with their economic and social needs. These taxes and fees are aimed at supporting public services and implementing infrastructure projects.