Masdar City vs SHAMS: which should you choose?
Clean tech and sustainability, with pricing that undercuts Dubai. The cheapest credible route to a UAE licence — and the one most freelancers actually need.
| Criterion | Masdar City | SHAMS |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | AED 16,500 | AED 5,760 |
| Typical cost | AED 32,000 | AED 8,500 |
| Setup (days) | 5–15 | 1–4 |
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Sharjah |
| Remote setup | Yes | Yes |
| Our rating | 8/10 | 8.4/10 |
Our verdict
On our criteria, SHAMS wins for the most common profile. The cheapest credible route to a UAE licence — and the one most freelancers actually need.
That said, Masdar City remains the right call if: clean energy and cleantech, sustainability consulting. Headline price should not decide this alone — visa quota and banking reception usually matter more.
Let's talk about your actual case
A twenty-minute call. We will also tell you if the UAE is the wrong answer for you — it often is.