Compare ADGM - Abu Dhabi Global Market and SHAMS - Sharjah Media City for Software Development & IT Consulting setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
ADGM - Abu Dhabi Global Market vs SHAMS - Sharjah Media City for Software Development & IT Consulting: ADGM - Abu Dhabi Global Market starts at AED 6,611 (93% bank approval) and SHAMS - Sharjah Media City at AED 5,760 (86%). On Year-1 cost, SHAMS - Sharjah Media City is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 5,505 | 3-7 days | Moderate | Common law jurisdiction, fintech, SPVs, Abu Dhabi government backing | |
| AED 5,750 | 1-3 days | Moderate | Media and creative industries, fast setup, affordable Sharjah option |
Common law jurisdiction, fintech, SPVs, Abu Dhabi government backing
Software development licenses in UAE free zones typically do not require physical office space initially, with flexi-desk arrangements accepted as the registered address. Most free zones allow 100% foreign ownership and offer instant license issuance when applying under this activity.
Software development qualifies as a qualifying free zone activity under the UAE Corporate Tax Law. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income generated from the activity. Standard 5% VAT applies to domestic supplies of software services.
Tech companies may face questions about IP ownership and revenue sources during KYC. Banks prefer to see a clear business model with identifiable clients and recurring revenue streams rather than speculative project-based income.
ADGM's software development licence is supported by the Hub71 ecosystem, which provides tech startups with subsidised office space, mentorship from global tech companies, and up to AED 500,000 in incentive programmes — making it one of the most generous tech startup support frameworks in the MENA region.
H1 2025: 11,100+ active registered entities
2025: Expanded virtual asset regulatory framework
2025: January fee restructure — LTD reduced
Company setup in ADGM - Abu Dhabi Global Market starts from AED 6,611 per year.
ADGM - Abu Dhabi Global Market processes company registrations in 3-7 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 93%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including ADGM - Abu Dhabi Global Market allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
ADGM - Abu Dhabi Global Market does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
SHAMS - Sharjah Media City wins on 3 of 4 dimensions. We recommend SHAMS - Sharjah Media City for cost-conscious founders and ADGM - Abu Dhabi Global Market if common law jurisdiction, fintech, spvs, abu dhabi government backing.
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