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SHAMS vs SPC Free Zone
The published figures of both, from their own pages, on one screen. Same date, same basis.
| SHAMSChecked 2 Oct 2026 | SPC Free ZoneChecked 2 Oct 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Licence only | 5,750 AEDMedia package, 0 visas · Official | 4,999 AEDE-Publishing licence, 'starting from' · Official |
| Year 1, Licence + 1 visa | 7,350 AEDMedia package, 1 visa allocation · Official | Not published |
| Year 1, Licence + 2 visas | 8,950 AEDMedia package, 2 visa allocations · Official | Not published |
| Each year | 5,750 AED | Not published |
| Other fees listed | 9 items | 9 items |
| Remote setup | Yes | Yes |
| Setup time | Pre-approval 3-5 working days, licence 1-2 working days (price list). | Licence in as little as 24 hours on eligible packages; visa in 5-10 working days. |
| Features | Media | Services, Trading, E-commerce, Media |
Sharjah Media City
Sharjah free zone for media and creative businesses in Al Messaned, established in 2017.
- Prices are from the 2025 price list; no 2026 list was found.
- E-channel conflict: the official list shows AED 2,280. Agency pages show 2,525, 2,735, or about 7,150 including a refundable AED 5,000 deposit. The official 2,280 is recorded; none of the agency figures were confirmed.
- The visa allocation in the package is a quota. The 1-visa and 2-visa prices cover the allocation only; visa, card, e-channel, medical and Emirates ID are extra.
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone
Sharjah free zone established in 2017 as a subsidiary of the Sharjah Book Authority, built around publishing and now licensing 2,000+ activities.
- No 1-visa or 2-visa package price is published; visas are priced fee by fee. The blog says a solo founder with one investor visa should budget roughly AED 14,000-15,000 in year one; that is an estimate, not a package price.
- SPC and SHAMS publish the same 5,750 and 6,875 entry prices.
- Blog dated 18 September 2026.
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