Free Zone Comparison
SHAMS vs UAQ FTZ
At AED 5,500 versus AED 5,750, the price difference is negligible. The real question: do you need a media and freelancer license (SHAMS) or a general trading license (UAQ FTZ)? Your activity type decides this one, not your budget.
SHAMS
Sharjah
AED 5,750
Year 1 from
UAQ FTZ
UAQ
AED 5,500
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
- ● Choose UAQ FTZ if cost is your priority — AED 250 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose SHAMS if you need more visas — up to 20
- ● Choose UAQ FTZ for overall quality — rated 4.4/5
- ● 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 and UAQ FTZ at AED 5,500 are separated by just AED 250 — a difference that won't affect any business decision. The real question is what you need the license for. SHAMS covers 120+ media, creative, and services activities. UAQ FTZ offers general trading, e-commerce, and consulting activities. If you're a content creator, SHAMS is purpose-built. If you're a general trader, UAQ is the fit.
SHAMS processes visas in 4-5 working days versus UAQ's 10 — a meaningful speed advantage. SHAMS has 13,500 active clients versus UAQ's 10,000. Neither zone requires annual audits — a shared advantage that saves thousands in compliance costs. SHAMS partners with four banks (Wio, Mashreq Neo, Mashreq NeoBiz, RAKBANK); UAQ has three (NBQ, Emirates Development Bank, Wio). UAQ FTZ supports dual licensing for combined free zone and mainland operations; SHAMS does not. For media freelancers, SHAMS is the obvious pick. For traders who want mainland access, UAQ's dual licensing tips the balance.
SHAMS vs UAQ FTZ at a Glance
| Metric | SHAMS | UAQ FTZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | UAQ |
| Year 1 From | AED 5,750 | AED 5,500 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 5,750 | AED 5,500 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 4.1/5 | ★ 4.4/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 20 🏆 | 4 |
| Processing Time | 5 days 🏆 | 10 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2017 | 1987 |
| Companies | 13,500+ | 10,000+ |
Year 1 From
SHAMS
AED 5,750
UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500
Renewal From
SHAMS
AED 5,750
UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500
Rating
SHAMS
4.1/5
UAQ FTZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
SHAMS
20
UAQ FTZ
4
Processing
SHAMS
5 days
UAQ FTZ
10 days
Banking
SHAMS
Moderate
UAQ FTZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
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
UAQ FTZ Packages
UAQ · 4 packages
UAQFTZ LYTE (Zero-Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,500/yr
UAQ START All-Inclusive (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,500/yr
Startup 2-Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 22,724
Year 1
Renewal: AED 13,500/yr
Premium 4-Visa Package
Up to 4 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 48,798
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,500/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SHAMS | UAQ FTZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Not Required | Not Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose SHAMS if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want media & creative
- ✓ Want consultants
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want bootstrapped startups
Choose UAQ FTZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want trading & import/export
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 250 less)
Pros & Cons
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
UAQ FTZ
Pros
- ✓ One of the cheapest UAE free zones with zero-visa packages from AED 5,500
- ✓ All-inclusive 1-visa package (UAQ START) at AED 12,500 includes license, visa, medical, Emirates ID, and co-working
- ✓ Official banking partners including NBQ, Emirates Development Bank, and Wio Bank
- ✓ Logistics-friendly location on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) near UAQ Port
Cons
- ✗ Pricing is promo-led and can vary by campaign eligibility and timing
- ✗ Visa quotas beyond 4 are not clearly published; higher quotas require office/warehouse leasing
- ✗ Industrial licenses require a physical office/warehouse, changing the cost structure
- ✗ Free zone license does not allow direct mainland UAE retail/trading without additional structure
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, SHAMS or UAQ FTZ?
UAQ FTZ is cheaper by AED 250 in Year 1. UAQ FTZ starts from AED 5,500 while SHAMS starts from AED 5,750. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between SHAMS and UAQ FTZ?
SHAMS is based in Sharjah and is best for Freelancers, Media & Creative, Consultants. UAQ FTZ is based in UAQ and is best for Startups, Freelancers, E-commerce. SHAMS starts from AED 5,750 while UAQ FTZ starts from AED 5,500.
Which has easier banking, SHAMS or UAQ FTZ?
Both SHAMS and UAQ FTZ 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 SHAMS vs UAQ FTZ?
SHAMS supports up to 20 visas, while UAQ FTZ supports up to 4 visas. SHAMS offers more visa capacity.
Is SHAMS or UAQ FTZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose SHAMS if you want freelancers focus and a Sharjah address. Choose UAQ FTZ if you need startups support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.