Your Questions, Answered
Got a question about setting up your business with Shams Free Zone? You’ll find clear, up-to-date answers right here, from licensing and payments to visas and banking. If you don’t see your query below, feel free to reach out via live chat, contact form, or call us on 800 SHAMS (74267).
Please note that regulations are subject to change in accordance with UAE government directives.
Yes. Shams Free Zone accepts all major credit cards.
Yes. You may choose to pay through Tabby’s Buy Now, Pay Later service or opt for monthly instalments via our partner banks.
Your company will be officially registered under Shams Free Zone, located in Sharjah, UAE.
Yes. Shams Free Zone is the only UAE free zone that allows you to register your business as an LLC without the “FZ” designation, offering a more mainland-like presence.
Yes. A P.O. Box can be provided for an additional annual fee. Please contact our concierge team for more details.
You can include up to five business activities under a single license, even across different sectors.
Yes. Business activities may be updated following the initial incorporation process.
Shams Free Zone offers a broad range of approved activities, including consultancy, media, trading, e-commerce, and more.
Yes. The entire setup process is conducted online — from application and payment to license issuance.
Yes. If your SHAMS-licensed business carries out advertising or marketing activities—especially on digital platforms, social media, or paid campaigns—you may be required to apply for an Advertiser Permit.
"A DUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System) is a unique international business identification number issued by Dun & Bradstreet. It is often required by banks, financial institutions, government entities, and international partners to verify a company’s identity and credibility."
"License cancellation requires clearing all linked visas, E-channel, immigraion card settling outstanding fees, and submitting a cancellation request through SHAMS. Once approvals are completed, the license is officially cancelled."
"Our registered client have an option to make certain changes at the time of their license renewal. On our customer portal, registered client can apply for renewal with amendment and choose most suitable amendment for their business (package, business activities, Company name, visa allocations, Facility or stakeholder amendment) Please note certain amendments like company name, stakeholder amendment etc. may require Immigration card amendment seperately."
Yes, even with an active license, a company can be flagged or restricted due to regulatory, compliance, or administrative reasons. You can usually check through the relevant authority’s portal or receive notifications from them if any restrictions apply.
No. Shams Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership.
Yes. You may register a business using your existing visa, and no NOC is required from your current sponsor.
No. You do not need to be a UAE resident to establish a company in Shams Free Zone.
Yes. You may apply for dependent visas for your spouse, children, or parents.
You may apply for up to 20 visas per license, depending on your business activity and office space allocation.
Employee or Investor/Partner visa can be applied through Shams Freezone if the company is registered with Shams Freezone. In order to apply Visa a company should have a valid e-channel, immigration card and available visa allocation.
"Log-in to Shams Freezone customer portal using registered email id and OTP. From dashboard select Employee management - Visa - Visa new.
Note : in order to apply Visa a company should have a valid e-channel, immigration card and available visa allocation.
As for Visa application process applicant gets entry permit → Entry/change of status (if applied as inside U.A.E)→ Medical test and Health insurrance → Residency visa and lastly emirates Id.
If the Applicant is outside the UAE and they are from India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya and Tunisia there will Visa Detail issued to do the Pre-medical at the UAE embassy in their home country."
"The visa must be cancelled through SHAMS Freezone customer portal with valid reason of cancellation. For last Investor/Partner visa cancellation mandatory downgrade of visa allocation and Immigration card cancellation after all necessary clearance is required. Deposit of AED 2100 is required (Last Remaining Shareholder) and refunded upon providing required documents. "
"Visa cancellation is initiated my employer through SHAMS Freezone portal with visa cancellation form signed by both employee and employer confirming clearance of any dues. The employee must be inside the UAE during the visa cancellation process. If the employee is outside the UAE, they must have been outside for at least 6 months since their exit date before cancellation can proceed. "
A re-entry permit is required if a visa holder stays outside the UAE beyond the allowed period specified by immigration authorities and only applicable if the is the visa is still valid for more that 45 days.
"Visa allocation upgrade can be done through the portal under company management-company formation- Visa allocation amendment. For Visa allocation above 10 need to provide (Business plan and bank statments for review and confirmation)."
Emirates ID is usually issued within 7–10 working days after completing biometrics and residence visa approval, subject to government processing timelines.
"During Visa Cancellation, the immigration will issue an exit permit for applicants who overstayed. post clearance of dues if any.
Also if can be issued if the applicant is medically unfit."
Applicant cannot leave UAE withhout clearing fines, if it is not cleared through Shams Freezone, Immigration will stop at the airport for the fine clearance.
No, leaving the UAE doesn’t automatically cancel their visa. The sponsor must cancel it, or it may get invalid if dependantg visa holder stays more than 6months outside UAE.
Yes. Once your company is registered, we will provide you with a list of recommended banking partners across local, digital, and international institutions.
We offer business phone answering services. Please contact concierge@shams.ae for more information.
Yes. Upon license issuance, you may apply directly with UAE Customs to obtain an Import/Export Code.
No. Your Import/Export Code will be valid across all UAE ports.
Yes. Businesses that meet the mandatory registration threshold must register for VAT in accordance with UAE Federal Law. Shams Free Zone offers support with the registration process, making it easier for you to stay compliant. Note that a 5% VAT is applicable to certain products and services offered by the free zone.
No. However, you may apply directly to the relevant Chamber of Commerce should your business require it.
Ultimate Beneficial Ownership refers to the individual(s) who ultimately own or control a company. In compliance with UAE Cabinet Resolution No. (109) of 2023, all legal persons licensed in the UAE must disclose accurate and up-to-date UBO information.
Yes. All companies registered with Shams Free Zone are required to submit and maintain UBO data in accordance with UAE federal law. This includes disclosing ownership structure, shareholder details, and any individuals in control of the business.
Failure to comply with UBO regulations may result in administrative penalties as per Cabinet Resolution No. (132) of 2023. It is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure timely and accurate submission.
goAML is an online platform developed by the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for the reporting of suspicious transactions. It is a mandatory compliance tool for designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs).
If your business activity falls under the DNFBP category — such as real estate brokerage, accounting, consultancy, or company formation services — you are legally required to register and report through the goAML platform.
Yes. Businesses that fail to register or report as required may be subject to penalties issued by the Ministry of Economy and the UAE FIU.
The registration is completed in two stages:
a. Pre-registration on the SACM protection system.
b. Final registration on the goAML portal.
Clients log in using their registered email and OTP. Pending tasks appear on the dashboard under “Actions Required.”
"Photo Specification
• Passport size photo
• Clear and good quality with high resolution
• Most recent photos (taken within 3 to 6 months)
• No jewelry or any type of accessories
• No white/ light-colored shirts
• No glasses
• No teeth showing
• Must have a white background
• Face looking directly at the camera. Face and Body should not be tilted in any direction.
• No revealing neckline/clothing.
• Selfies are strictly discouraged.
Uniform lighting (no shadows or reflections) with appropriate brightness and contrast to show natural skin tone."
E-Channel is a mandatory government system required to process visas and immigration services.
Point of Contact detail change, Shareholder/Manager/Director contact detail changes and Employee Email is change.
Released documents will be accessible under request tracking, clicking on your completed apllication You will be able to View, download and print them.
Any medical center in the UAE affiliated with EHS or MOHAP.
Returned applications reset the processing timeline or go on hold until corrected and returned to Shams Freezone. Applications submitted after 11:00 AM are counted from the next working day.
Immigration authorities consider visa decisions confidential. Immigration does not disclose specific reasons for rejections. Shams Freezone can only guide on general procedures or next steps.
"If the company had immigration visas: No, you must wait 1 year after cancellation.
If it was a 0-visa company under SHAMS: Yes, after 6 months from cancellation.
If it was a 0-visa company under another authority: Yes, reopening is allowed."
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