SHAMS vs IFZA
Head-to-head comparison of Sharjah Media City (Sharjah) and International Free Zone Authority (Dubai). Costs, visa caps, banking, and who each zone is built for.
💰 Cheaper Option
SHAMS
AED 5,750 starting
👥 More Visas
IFZA
Up to 50 visas
| Feature | SHAMS | IFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Sharjah Media City | International Free Zone Authority |
| Emirate | Sharjah | Dubai |
| Established | 2017 | 2018 |
| Starting Cost | AED 5,750 | AED 12,900 |
| Flexi-Desk Cost | AED 2,500 | AED 3,000 |
| Max Visas | 6+ | 50+ |
| Banking Support | Moderate - may require additional documentation | Good - supported by major UAE banks |
| License Types | Media, Service, Commercial | Commercial, Professional, Consulting, Holding |
SHAMS is built for
- ▸Media
- ▸Freelancers
- ▸Content creators
- ▸Small businesses
IFZA is built for
- ▸Services
- ▸Consulting
- ▸Holding companies
- ▸General trading
Full SHAMS Guide →
Full IFZA Guide →