RAKEZ vs SHAMS
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) (Ras Al Khaimah) 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 RAKEZ for…
- More activities on one licence (up to 6)
- A smoother banking track record
- Private office and warehouse options
- Popular with budget startups
- Popular with manufacturers and industrial companies
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is the government authority that licenses free zone and non-free zone companies across several business and industrial areas in Ras Al Khaimah. It suits cost-conscious founders, small traders and consultants, and also manufacturers who need land or warehouses. A no-visa licence starts from around AED 6,000 a year, and a one-visa setup typically lands around AED 12,000 to 15,000 in fees before medical and ID costs. A licence is usually issued within a few working days once documents are complete.
Choose SHAMS for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 257 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Faster setup (around 2 vs 5 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.
RAKEZ vs SHAMS side by side
| RAKEZ | SHAMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ras Al Khaimah | Sharjah |
| Packages from | AED 6,180 | AED 5,923 |
| Renewal from | AED 6,180 | AED 5,923 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~5 working days | ~2 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 6 | Up to 5 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office, Warehouse | Virtual office, Flexi-desk, Shared office |
| Activity areas | Trading, Industrial, Consultancy, E-commerce, Freelance, Media | 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.
RAKEZ in brief
Ras Al Khaimah set up RAKEZ in 2017 to bring two older bodies under one roof: the RAK Free Trade Zone, which had been licensing small companies since around 2000, and the RAK Investment Authority, which handled industrial land. The result is one regulator that can give a solo consultant a desk and a steel fabricator a 20,000 square metre plot, using the same application system.
Strengths
- One authority covers everything from a solo freelancer desk to industrial land with staff housing
- Entry and one-visa packages are among the lower-cost options in the UAE
- A non-free zone entity is available for selling inside Ras Al Khaimah
- Ready warehouses, open yards and self-storage at Al Hamra Industrial Zone
Watch out for
- Your licence address is in Ras Al Khaimah, a long commute if your team and clients are in Dubai
- Desk packages carry very few visas, so growth often means paying for a bigger facility
- No grace period on renewal and daily late penalties from the expiry date
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
RAKEZ vs SHAMS: common questions
Which is cheaper, RAKEZ or SHAMS?
On our current packages, SHAMS starts lower at around AED 5,923, against AED 6,180 for RAKEZ. Compare renewal too: RAKEZ renews from about AED 6,180 and SHAMS from about AED 5,923. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, RAKEZ or SHAMS?
RAKEZ 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, RAKEZ 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 RAKEZ 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 RAKEZ 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.
RAKEZ 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