SHAMS Free Zone is one of the most startup-friendly jurisdictions in the UAE, offering fast, paperless company setup at competitive pricing. Here’s your 2025 technical breakdown of how to register your business in SHAMS—step by step.
Required Documents for SHAMS Company Formation (2025)
- Individual shareholders: passport copy, onboarding & KYC forms, UBO declaration, brief business plan
- Corporate shareholders or branches: Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum & Articles of Association, Certificate of Good Standing, Board Resolution (all notarised and attested)
Tip: Consistency across all documents is crucial to avoid delays.
SHAMS Business Setup Timeline (Estimates)
- Licence issuance: 1–3 working days
- Visas (if needed): 2–3 weeks for establishment card, entry permit, medical tests, Emirates ID
- Bank account opening: 2–6 weeks depending on activity and shareholder profile
SHAMS Free Zone Costs Breakdown 2025
- Zero-visa licence: AED 5,750
- One visa: AED 12,000+
- Additional visas: AED 3,000–5,000 each
- Annual renewals, visa renewals, and bank minimum balances: AED 25,000–50,000
Restricted or Regulated Business Activities in SHAMS
Some activities require approvals or additional compliance:
- Financial services, banking, insurance: restricted
- Advertising/publishing: Advertiser Permit needed
- Legal, education, healthcare consultancy: ministry approvals
- Auditing or corporate services: AML compliance required
Office Options & Visa Capacity in SHAMS
- Most businesses start with a flexi-desk included
- Supports multiple visas (up to 10 in some cases)
- Scaling may require a dedicated office within SHAMS
At Safari Star, we guide founders through SHAMS setup step by step to avoid delays and unexpected costs.
Watch the full video guide → https://youtu.be/i5pwCgNd-NA?si=hXMkN4SmvEGphOY4
FAQ
Q1: Can I get a licence in SHAMS without a visa?
Yes, starting from AED 5,750/year for a zero-visa package.
Q2: How long does SHAMS company formation take?
You can get your licence within 1–3 working days if all documents are ready.
Q3: Do I need an office to get visas?
No for 1–3 visas (Flexi-desk), but yes if you want to scale beyond that.