You apply through Shams' online platform with identification documents, an onboarding form, a beneficial owner form and a business plan. Shams issues service, trade and light-industrial licences, and lets you combine up to five activities on one licence.
Shareholders do not need to be in the UAE to incorporate. NXTSTAR picks the activity mix with you and manages visas after the licence.
Last reviewed: by the NXTSTAR team.
Rules are set by the authority and can change. Confirm the current position before you apply.
Who Shams suits
Shams suits media and creative businesses, freelancers, consultants and small online traders who want a low-overhead company formed remotely.
It does not suit heavy industry or businesses that need a Dubai-registered address.
Company structures
- A new free zone company, with 100% foreign ownership.
- A branch of an existing company.
- A freelance package for individuals.
Licences and activities
- Service licence, for producing and distributing services.
- Trade licence, for buying, selling, importing and exporting goods, with related services.
- Light-industrial licence, for producing and manufacturing goods.
Documents
- Identification documents for each shareholder
- Completed onboarding form
- Ultimate beneficial owner form
- Business plan
- For a branch: the parent's certificate of incorporation, articles and good standing certificate
The process, step by step
- Identify the nature of the business and choose activities under media, trade or services.
- Select a licence package.
- Submit the application online.
- Receive the licence and apply for visas.
What is particular to Shams
Shams says a licence can carry up to 50 visas, allocated according to the business's needs and structure. It also advertises licences issued in under 60 minutes for standard online applications.
What NXTSTAR does, and what we do not
- We help you choose the structure, licence and activities.
- We prepare and submit the application.
- We handle the visa and bank account steps afterwards.
- We do not decide approvals. The authority does, and banks decide on accounts.
- We are an independent consultancy and are not part of Shams.
Common questions
Do I have to visit Sharjah to form a Shams company?
No. Shams states that shareholders are not required to be physically present in the UAE to incorporate.
How many activities can a Shams licence have?
Up to five business activities on one licence.
Is Shams suitable for content creators?
Shams has media activities and a freelance package. A creator who advertises still needs the UAE Media Council's Advertiser Permit.
How much does Shams setup cost?
We do not publish prices. Ask us for a written quote that separates authority fees from our service fee.
Sources
The rules on this page come from the authority's own published material, checked on 7 October 2026.
Talk to NXTSTAR about Shams
Tell us what you want to do and we will tell you which route fits, what it involves and what we would need from you.