SHAMS Costs & Review 2026

SHAMS offers business licenses from AED 5,750 for a 0-visa entry package, with standard packages from AED 6,875. Visa-allocation packages cost more and vary by desk type.

Up to five business activities under one license, even across different sectors. SHAMS offers 120+ available activities total.

Up to 20 visas per license, but practical quota depends on your package and facility. Shared desk setups are commonly capped at around 6 visas.

Visa fees are around AED 3,360 (2-year) plus medical (AED 450) and Emirates ID (AED 390). Company-level items include Immigration Card (~AED 1,575 for 3 years) and e-channel registration (~AED 2,525).

Yes. Health insurance is mandatory for all residents. Since January 2025, Sharjah requires a basic package at AED 320/year minimum for targeted groups.

Yes. Dependent visas are available for family members. UAE family visa fees are typically AED 3,500-5,000 per person depending on status change and emirate.

The SHAMS 1-visa freelance package costs AED 19,620 total in Year 1. This includes AED 11,000 for the license and flexi desk, AED 4,100 for establishment card (immigration card + e-channel registration), AED 4,200 for visa processing (AED 3,360 visa fee, AED 450 medical, AED 390 Emirates ID), and AED 320 for mandatory health insurance. Renewal from Year 2 drops to AED 15,520 as one-time establishment fees are excluded.

SHAMS renewal costs are lower than Year 1 because one-time establishment fees (AED 4,100) are excluded. A 0-visa media license renews at AED 5,750/year. The standard 0-visa package renews at AED 6,875/year. The 1-visa flexi desk renews at AED 15,520/year, the 2-visa package at AED 21,915/year, and the 3-visa shared desk at AED 27,555/year.

A SHAMS trade license starts from AED 5,750/year for a 0-visa media license or AED 6,875/year for a standard license. Both include a flexi desk. With 1 visa, the total Year 1 cost is AED 19,620. With 2 visas it is AED 26,015, and with 3 visas on a shared desk it is AED 31,655. Up to five business activities can be included on one license at no extra charge.

SHAMS company setup costs range from AED 5,750 to AED 31,655 in Year 1 depending on visa requirements. A 0-visa entry license costs AED 5,750. The 1-visa package costs AED 19,620, the 2-visa package AED 26,015, and the 3-visa shared desk package AED 31,655. All packages include workspace — no separate office deposit is required.

Each SHAMS visa costs AED 4,200 for processing (AED 3,360 visa fee, AED 450 medical, AED 390 Emirates ID) plus AED 320/year for mandatory health insurance. A one-time company-level establishment card of AED 4,100 is also required (covers immigration card at AED 1,575 for 3 years and e-channel registration at AED 2,525). Visas are valid for 2 years with renewal at AED 4,200 per person.

Yes, SHAMS is significantly cheaper than IFZA for entry-level packages. A SHAMS 0-visa license starts at AED 5,750/year compared to IFZA's cheapest package at AED 12,900/year. With 1 visa, SHAMS costs AED 19,620 in Year 1 versus approximately AED 24,000+ at IFZA. SHAMS also has no deposit requirements, while IFZA requires a refundable deposit. The trade-off is that IFZA offers a Dubai address and wider activity scope.