Free Zone Comparison
IFZA vs SHAMS
IFZA at AED 12,900 gives you a Dubai address. SHAMS at AED 5,750 saves you AED 7,150 — more than half. If "Dubai" on your license matters to clients, pay the premium. If it doesn't, SHAMS delivers a solid media and services license for far less.
IFZA
Dubai
AED 12,900
Year 1 from
SHAMS
Sharjah
AED 5,750
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
- ● Choose SHAMS if cost is your priority — AED 7,150 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose SHAMS if you need more visas — up to 20
- ● Choose SHAMS for faster setup — 5 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
SHAMS at AED 5,750 saves AED 7,150 against IFZA's AED 12,900 — more than half the cost of a zero-visa license. That gap represents the premium for putting 'Dubai' on your trade license instead of 'Sharjah.' For international clients who check your business address, that word carries weight. For freelancers selling services remotely, it's an expensive label.
Operationally, SHAMS delivers more for less. It processes visas in 4-5 working days versus IFZA's 21 days. SHAMS skips the audit requirement entirely, while IFZA mandates tiered financial statements from September 2025. SHAMS supports up to 20 visas versus IFZA's 15. The trade-off: SHAMS covers 120+ media-focused activities, while IFZA handles 800+ including general trading and e-commerce. If your business falls outside media and consulting, IFZA is your only option. Banking is 'Moderate' at both, though IFZA's Dubai address smooths the process at some banks that treat Sharjah licenses with extra scrutiny.
IFZA vs SHAMS at a Glance
| Metric | IFZA | SHAMS |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Sharjah |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,900 | AED 5,750 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,900 | AED 5,750 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 4.0/5 | ★ 4.1/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 15 | 20 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 21 days | 5 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2018 | 2017 |
| Companies | 5,000+ | 13,500+ |
Year 1 From
IFZA
AED 12,900
SHAMS
AED 5,750
Renewal From
IFZA
AED 12,900
SHAMS
AED 5,750
Rating
IFZA
4.0/5
SHAMS
4.1/5
Max Visas
IFZA
15
SHAMS
20
Processing
IFZA
21 days
SHAMS
5 days
Banking
IFZA
Moderate
SHAMS
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
IFZA Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
Zero Visa Package
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,900
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,900/yr
1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 28,790
Year 1
Renewal: AED 24,400/yr
2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 36,380
Year 1
Renewal: AED 27,400/yr
3 Visa Package
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 43,970
Year 1
Renewal: AED 29,400/yr
SHAMS Packages
Sharjah · 5 packages
Media License (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,750
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,750/yr
Standard License (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 6,875
Year 1
Renewal: AED 6,875/yr
Flexi-Desk + 1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 19,620
Year 1
Renewal: AED 15,520/yr
Flexi-Desk + 2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 26,015
Year 1
Renewal: AED 21,915/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | IFZA | SHAMS |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Not Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose IFZA if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consulting
- ✓ Want digital nomads
Choose SHAMS if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want media & creative
- ✓ Want consultants
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want bootstrapped startups
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 7,150 less)
Pros & Cons
IFZA
Pros
- ✓ Lowest all-in Dubai free zone option — Year 1 with 1 visa achievable under AED 25,000 through agents
- ✓ No physical office requirement — virtual/flexi desk options available
- ✓ Fast license issuance: 2–5 business days
- ✓ Up to 7 business activities per license (first 3 included free, extras AED 1,000 each)
Cons
- ✗ B2B-only model — must work through intermediary agents, direct pricing significantly inflated
- ✗ Relatively young (Dubai presence since 2020) with weaker brand recognition than DMCC
- ✗ Only ~5,000 companies — smaller networking ecosystem
- ✗ Limited crypto licensing (no exchange/custody activities)
SHAMS
Pros
- ✓ Low entry pricing — business licenses from AED 5,750 (0-visa)
- ✓ Fully digital setup: entire process is online (application, payment, license issuance)
- ✓ Up to five business activities under one license, even across sectors
- ✓ Visa scalability: up to 20 visas per license depending on package and facility
Cons
- ✗ Pricing fragmentation: multiple starting points (AED 5,750 vs AED 6,875) and agent bundles differ — expect quote variance
- ✗ Visa process costs inconsistently quoted across sources — confirm latest fee schedule during onboarding
- ✗ Banking friction remains real: partner introductions help, but KYC can extend timelines to weeks
- ✗ Activity count (120+) is smaller than mega free zones with thousands of activities
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IFZA or SHAMS?
SHAMS is cheaper by AED 7,150 in Year 1. SHAMS starts from AED 5,750 while IFZA starts from AED 12,900. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between IFZA and SHAMS?
IFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Startups, E-commerce. SHAMS is based in Sharjah and is best for Freelancers, Media & Creative, Consultants. IFZA starts from AED 12,900 while SHAMS starts from AED 5,750.
Which has easier banking, IFZA or SHAMS?
Both IFZA and SHAMS are rated "Moderate" for banking difficulty, meaning there is no significant difference in how easily you can open a corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with IFZA vs SHAMS?
IFZA supports up to 15 visas, while SHAMS supports up to 20 visas. SHAMS offers more visa capacity.
Is IFZA or SHAMS better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose IFZA if you want freelancers focus and a Dubai address. Choose SHAMS if you need freelancers support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.