IFZA vs SHAMS
International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) (Dubai) or Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) (Sharjah)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose IFZA for…
- More activities on one licence (up to 7)
- A smoother banking track record
- Private office options
- A Dubai address on your licence
- Popular with consultants
- Popular with traders
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is a Dubai free zone based at the IFZA Business Park in Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis. It suits consultants, small traders and online businesses that want a Dubai licence at a mid-market price. A no-visa package typically starts from around AED 12,900 a year, with one- and two-visa tiers costing a few thousand more. Once your documents are ready, the licence itself is often issued within a week.
Choose SHAMS for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 7,364 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Faster setup (around 2 vs 3 working days)
- Virtual office options
- Popular with freelancers and content creators
- Popular with media and marketing agencies
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) is a Sharjah government free zone that grew from media licensing into one of the UAE's most popular low-cost company setups. It suits freelancers, content creators, small agencies, consultants and online sellers who want a real UAE company without paying for an office. Licences are advertised from about AED 5,750, and a package with one residence visa typically lands around AED 14,000 to 15,000 before personal visa costs. Licences are often issued within a few working days, fully online.
IFZA vs SHAMS side by side
| IFZA | SHAMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Sharjah |
| Packages from | AED 13,287 | AED 5,923 |
| Renewal from | AED 13,287 | AED 5,923 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~3 working days | ~2 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 7 | Up to 5 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office | Virtual office, Flexi-desk, Shared office |
| Activity areas | Trading, Consultancy, E-commerce, Tech & IT, Media, Holding / SPV | Media, Freelance, E-commerce, Consultancy, Trading, Tech & IT |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | No |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2017 | 2017 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
IFZA in brief
IFZA started in 2017 and grew quickly because it made Dubai licensing feel like buying a product off a shelf. Instead of asking you to rent an office first and then calculate visa rights, it sells packages labelled by the number of residence visas they carry. You pick a tier, choose your activities and apply online, mostly through registered agents.
Strengths
- Dubai licence without Dubai premium-zone prices
- Clear package pricing tied to the number of visas
- Trading and service activities can usually sit on one licence
- No need to rent a real office until the team grows
Watch out for
- Not the cheapest UAE option once visa costs are added
- Fees are mostly sold through agents, so quotes can differ
- Silicon Oasis is outside central Dubai and has no metro
SHAMS in brief
Sharjah Media City, known by its Arabic acronym SHAMS, was created by an Emiri decree in 2017 to give Sharjah a home for publishers, broadcasters and digital media. Within a few years it became better known for something else: an inexpensive, almost entirely online way for individuals and small teams to own a UAE company.
Strengths
- Among the lowest entry and renewal prices for a UAE free zone company
- Zero-visa option for founders who already hold residence or live abroad
- Mostly online process with e-signatures and fast licence issuance
- Broad activity list covering media, consulting, IT, education, e-commerce and trading
Watch out for
- Sharjah address, which some clients and tenders see as less prestigious than Dubai or Abu Dhabi
- Small, new SHAMS companies can find bank onboarding slow
- Larger visa quotas require paid workspace, raising the cost
IFZA vs SHAMS: common questions
Which is cheaper, IFZA or SHAMS?
On our current packages, SHAMS starts lower at around AED 5,923, against AED 13,287 for IFZA. Compare renewal too: IFZA renews from about AED 13,287 and SHAMS from about AED 5,923. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, IFZA or SHAMS?
IFZA allows up to 6 visas, depending on the office you lease. Both zones allow a similar maximum, so the office type decides your real quota.
Which is faster to set up, IFZA or SHAMS?
SHAMS is typically quicker at around 2 working days for the licence once documents are complete. Visas take one to three more weeks in either zone.
Is a IFZA licence valid for business in Sharjah?
A free zone licence lets you operate inside the free zone and trade internationally. To sell directly to customers on the UAE mainland you usually need a distributor, a mainland branch or the right activity approvals, whichever zone you choose.
Can I move my company from IFZA to SHAMS later?
Moving between free zones is possible but it is not a simple transfer. You normally register the new company or a branch in the other zone and then close or keep the old one, which means extra fees and visa paperwork. It is cheaper to pick the right zone at the start.
IFZA or SHAMS? Ask an advisor
Tell us about your business. An advisor will recommend the best free zone and send you a full cost breakdown — usually within one working hour.
- Honest advice across all free zones
- Full cost breakdown — no hidden fees
- Licence, visa, bank account and tax in one place