Company Setup
Umm Al Quwain Free Zone (UAQ FTZ) Setup 2026: Cost and Steps
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone licences start from about AED 5,500 a year. Licence types, visa costs, office options, documents and steps for UAQ FTZ in 2026.
The Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) is one of the lowest-cost free zones in the UAE. It sits about 45 minutes north of Dubai and suits traders, service businesses, e-commerce and light industry, and most of the setup can be done remotely.
This guide covers typical 2026 prices, licence types, visa costs, documents and steps.
The short answer: A UAQ FTZ licence starts from about AED 5,500 a year (typical partner pricing). Industrial licences cost more. Each investor visa adds about AED 3,500 to 5,500. UAQ FTZ promotes all-inclusive monthly plans on its own site, so ask exactly what a plan includes before comparing it with an annual price. Prices were checked on 2 November 2026 and change often, so always get a written quote before you pay.
UAQ FTZ at a glance
| Emirate | Umm Al Quwain |
| Starting price | About AED 5,500 a year |
| Licence types | Commercial (trading), service, e-commerce, industrial |
| Visas | About AED 3,500 to 5,500 each; flexi-desk supports about 1 to 2 |
| Set up remotely | Mostly; you visit only for Emirates ID biometrics |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership |
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone setup cost in 2026: starting prices and packages
| Licence | Typical price (AED a year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trading | 5,500 to 9,000 | |
| Service | 5,500 to 8,500 | |
| E-commerce | 5,500 to 8,000 | |
| Industrial | 8,000 to 18,000 | Needs suitable premises |
| Dedicated office | 10,000 to 25,000 | For larger visa quotas |
Source and date: Typical 2026 partner pricing, checked 2 November 2026. UAQ FTZ advertises an all-inclusive plan from AED 2,266 a month on its own site without listing what it includes; ask for the breakdown.
Costs to budget for on top of the licence
A low headline price rarely covers everything. Before you compare quotes, check whether each one includes these:
- Investor or employee visa: about AED 3,500 to 5,500 each.
- Flexi-desk: some quotes include it, others add about AED 2,000 to 5,000.
- Establishment card, medical, Emirates ID and insurance for each visa holder.
- Corporate tax: a free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions; other income is taxed at 9%. All companies must register for corporate tax, so take tax advice before you choose a structure.
Licence types and activities
UAQ FTZ issues commercial (trading), industrial and service licences, with e-commerce activities available. Partners report that several activities can sit on one licence at no extra fee; confirm this for your activity mix.
How to set up a company in UAQ FTZ: step by step
- 1Pick activitiesChoose trading, service, e-commerce or industrial activities.
- 2Reserve a nameSubmit name options.
- 3Submit documents onlinePassports and supporting papers.
- 4Initial approval and paymentThen the licence is issued.
- 5Office and visasFlexi-desk or office, establishment card, then visas.
- 6Bank accountUsually the longest step.
Typical timeline: Licence in about three to seven working days; visas two to four weeks more; bank account three to eight weeks.
Documents you need
Individual shareholders usually need:
- Passport copy for every shareholder and manager (at least six months' validity)
- Passport-size photo
- Proof of residential address
- Two or three trade name options and your chosen activities
- Employer NOC if you are employed in the UAE
Corporate shareholders (a company owning the new company) usually need its certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, a board resolution approving the setup, a certificate of good standing and, often, a power of attorney for the person signing. Documents issued outside the UAE must be attested (notarised, legalised and stamped by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and translated into Arabic or English where needed before the free zone will accept them.
Where DocuGulf helps
DocuGulf does not sell free zone licences. We handle the documents that delay most setups, so your application goes in complete the first time:
- Attestation of overseas corporate documents, board resolutions and degree certificates, from AED 230 per document.
- Certified true copies of passports and company papers for banks and free zones, AED 300 per set.
- Legal translation by MOJ-certified translators.
- Power of attorney drafting and notarisation if someone signs on your behalf.
- Trademark filing to protect your new brand name in the UAE.
Who UAQ FTZ suits
- Small traders and e-commerce sellers watching costs
- Service businesses that need one or two visas
- Founders who want to set up mostly remotely
How UAQ FTZ compares with other UAE free zones
Starting prices for the free zones we cover, checked 2 November 2026. Each name links to its own guide.
| Free zone | Emirate | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | From AED 12,500 | Remote founders who want a Dubai address fast |
| IFZA | Dubai | From about AED 12,900 | Cost-conscious SMEs that want a Dubai free zone |
| DMCC | Dubai | From AED 35,484 | Trading and commodity firms that want a premium Dubai address |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Abu Dhabi | From AED 7,000 | Tech, cleantech and startups that want an Abu Dhabi base |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | From about AED 6,000 | Industrial, logistics and cost-conscious SMEs |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | From AED 5,750 | E-commerce, consultants and solo founders |
| SRTIP | Sharjah | From about AED 5,510 | Tech startups, R&D and innovators |
| SHAMS | Sharjah | From about AED 5,750 | Freelancers, creators and media agencies |
| Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (this guide) | Umm Al Quwain | From about AED 5,500 | Low-cost traders and remote founders |
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | From about AED 5,565 | Traders and SMEs that need several visas cheaply |
| Fujairah Creative City | Fujairah | From AED 3,999 | Media, creative and freelance businesses on a tight budget |
Key takeaways: Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone starts from about AED 5,500 (licence with flexi-desk, typical partner price). Add visas, the establishment card, medicals, Emirates ID, insurance and workspace to compare quotes fairly, and get any overseas shareholder documents attested early, because that is the step that most often holds up a setup.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a UAQ Free Zone licence cost?
From about AED 5,500 a year for trading, service or e-commerce licences, based on typical 2026 partner pricing. Industrial licences cost about AED 8,000 to 18,000.
How much is a visa in UAQ FTZ?
About AED 3,500 to 5,500 per investor or employee visa, plus insurance.
Can I set up in UAQ FTZ remotely?
Mostly. You need to be in the UAE for Emirates ID biometrics if you take a visa.
How long does UAQ FTZ setup take?
About three to seven working days for the licence, and two to four weeks more for visas.
A note on scope: DocuGulf is a documentation facilitation service. All regulated work is performed by licensed notaries, lawyers, translators and approved typing centres, and we do not provide legal, tax or company formation advice. Free zone prices on this page are published or typical partner prices as of 2 November 2026; the free zone and its licensed partners set the final price. Reach us at info@docugulf.com or +971 58 569 3628.
Setting up in UAQ FTZ? Get your documents ready first.
Tell us who the shareholders are and where their documents were issued. We'll confirm what needs attesting, translating or certifying, with the price and timeline, before you pay anything.
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