SHAMS vs Ajman FZ
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) (Sharjah) or Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) (Ajman)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose SHAMS for…
- 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.
Choose Ajman FZ for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 155 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Private office and warehouse options
- Popular with budget traders
- Popular with e-commerce sellers
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ), founded in 1988 beside Ajman Port, is one of the UAE's longest-running free zones and a popular low-cost choice. It suits budget traders, e-commerce sellers, service companies and small manufacturers who want offices, warehouses or factory units for less than Dubai. Licence-only packages are commonly quoted from about AED 5,500, while a first year with one visa usually lands around AED 20,000 to 26,000. Simple licences can be ready within a few working days.
SHAMS vs Ajman FZ side by side
| SHAMS | Ajman FZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | Ajman |
| Packages from | AED 5,923 | AED 5,768 |
| Renewal from | AED 5,923 | AED 5,768 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~2 working days | ~3 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 5 | Up to 5 |
| Office options | Virtual office, Flexi-desk, Shared office | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office, Warehouse |
| Activity areas | Media, Freelance, E-commerce, Consultancy, Trading, Tech & IT | Trading, E-commerce, Consultancy, Industrial, Freelance, Logistics |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | No |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2017 | 1988 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
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
Ajman FZ in brief
Ajman Free Zone is often described only as cheap, which undersells it. Opened in 1988, it is among the oldest free zones in the country and sits on the waterfront next to Ajman Port, with a long history of trading houses, small factories and storage businesses. Its campus mixes office towers, warehouse rows and light-industrial units.
Strengths
- Long track record since 1988 and a large trading community.
- Low licence-only entry prices and often modest renewals.
- Warehouses and light-industrial units in the same zone as offices.
- Close to Ajman Port and major highways.
Watch out for
- No full public price list, so quotes vary widely.
- Ajman address may matter to some clients.
- Banks may ask more questions of small trading companies.
SHAMS vs Ajman FZ: common questions
Which is cheaper, SHAMS or Ajman FZ?
On our current packages, Ajman FZ starts lower at around AED 5,768, against AED 5,923 for SHAMS. Compare renewal too: SHAMS renews from about AED 5,923 and Ajman FZ from about AED 5,768. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, SHAMS or Ajman FZ?
SHAMS 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, SHAMS or Ajman FZ?
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 SHAMS licence valid for business in Ajman?
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 SHAMS to Ajman FZ 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.
SHAMS or Ajman FZ? 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