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Umm Al Quwain Free Zone Company Formation
11,000+
businesses
150+
Nationalities
1987
Established
Business Overview
Everything You Need to Know About UAQ Free Zone
What Is Umm Al Quwain Free Zone?
- A government-operated free trade zone in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, established in 1987 as Ahmed Bin Rashid Port and Free Zone.
- Approximately 30 minutes by road from Dubai International Airport, according to UAQFTZ. Journey times vary with traffic.
- A business licensing authority serving more than 11,000 businesses and a community of over 150 nationalities.
- A general-purpose free zone with licences for trading, services, consultancy, freelance and industrial activities.
Who Is It For?
- Startups, SMEs and entrepreneurs establishing a UAE company
- Trading and import-export businesses
- E-commerce companies carrying out approved commercial activities
- Consultants and eligible independent professionals
- Manufacturers and businesses that need warehouses or industrial land
- International investors who want a UAE company with remote registration
- Businesses that require specialised financial regulation, a specific industrial approval or unrestricted mainland operations should confirm that UAQFTZ meets those requirements before registering.
Minimum Capital Requirement
- UAQFTZ’s published company formation information specifies a minimum stated capital of AED 300,000, with a share value of AED 1,000. The authority also states that proof of startup capital is not required. Confirm how these requirements apply to your company structure before you apply.
Banking Facilities Available
- UAQFTZ supports corporate bank account applications. Approval rests with the bank and depends on its due diligence, your business activity, ownership structure, source of funds and supporting documents. A free zone licence does not guarantee account approval.
Types of Business Activities Allowed
- More than 1,500 activities across commercial, service, consultancy, freelance and industrial sectors
- Multiple approved activities under certain licence categories
- A dual-licence option that lets an eligible company hold commercial and service/consultancy licences within the same entity
- E-commerce businesses should confirm the correct commercial activity and licence requirements for their products and sales model.
Key Advantages
- 100% foreign ownership for eligible company structures
- Repatriation of capital and profits, subject to applicable regulations
- Remote company formation for eligible applicants
- A range of approved business activities and company structures
- Co-working spaces, offices, warehouses and industrial land
- Potential access to the UAE’s 0% Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income, subject to the relevant legal conditions
Number of Visas Allowed
- Visa eligibility depends on your package, facility and immigration requirements. UAQFTZ offers packages for applicants who do not need a UAE residence visa, as well as visa-enabled options. Confirm the visa allocation and any additional charges before you choose a package.
Eligibility
- Individual and corporate shareholders, subject to the authority’s requirements
- Eligible foreign investors seeking full ownership of their free zone company
- Applicants forming a new company or registering an eligible branch of an existing company
- Certain activities may require additional approvals or documents
Processing Time
- UAQFTZ offers an expedited formation process for eligible applications. Timelines are not fixed. Processing time depends on the business activity, the completeness of your documents and any additional approvals required.
Required Documents
- Passport copies of shareholders and authorised signatories
- Passport-size photographs, where required
- Completed application forms
- Proposed company name and business activity details
- Corporate registration documents for corporate shareholders
- Board resolution or authorisation documents, where applicable
- Additional documents or approvals for specific activities
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Why Choose Umm Al Quwain Free Zone?
Strategic Location
UAQFTZ is in the northern UAE with access to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), which links Umm Al Quwain to Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates. This road network supports trading, distribution and regional operations.
100% Foreign Ownership
Eligible company structures allow foreign investors to own 100% of their business with no UAE national shareholder. The structure and activity must meet the authority’s registration requirements.
Business Setup Packages
UAQFTZ advertises the UAQ LYTE package at AED 5,500 for eligible applicants who do not need a UAE residence visa. The UAQ START package is advertised at AED 12,500 for eligible applicants who want a visa-enabled setup. Confirm current prices and inclusions before you apply.
Flexible Business Activities
With more than 1,500 activities, UAQFTZ supports trading, consultancy, services, freelance work and industrial operations. Certain licences allow multiple activities, subject to the authority’s conditions.
Office and Industrial Facilities
Choose from co-working spaces, executive offices, warehouses and industrial land. The right facility depends on your activity, staffing, storage needs and the applicable visa rules.
Established Government Authority
UAQFTZ traces its origins to 1987 and operates as a government business licensing authority in Umm Al Quwain. Its services cover company registration, licensing and business facilities.
Available Licence Types
Licence Types Offered by UAQFTZ
Commercial Licence
Covers approved trading activities, including importing, exporting, distributing and selling permitted goods. Your products and operations must fall within the licensed activities.
General Trading Licence
Suited to businesses that trade across several permitted product categories. Confirm the scope of activities, any product restrictions and the approvals required.
Industrial Licence
Covers approved manufacturing, processing, assembly and production. Depending on the operation, you may need a warehouse, industrial facility or land allocation.
Service / Consultancy Licence
Covers approved professional services, including eligible management, IT and marketing consultancy and other service activities.
Freelance Permit
For eligible individuals providing approved independent services. Confirm the permitted activities and conditions before you apply.
What About E-commerce?
E-commerce is an available business activity, but it is not a separate standard licence category. The appropriate commercial licence and approved activity depend on your products and sales model.
How It Works
How to Set Up a Business in Umm Al Quwain Free Zone
Choose Your Business Activity
Select your activities from UAQFTZ’s approved list of more than 1,500. Confirm whether several activities can be combined under one licence.
Select Your Licence and Legal Structure
Choose a Commercial, General Trading, Service, Industrial or Freelance option. Your legal structure may be an FZE, an FZC or an eligible branch, depending on your ownership arrangement.
Choose Your Package and Facility
Compare packages by visa needs, workspace requirements and budget, and confirm what each package includes before you proceed.
Submit the Required Documents
Provide the application form, passport copies and any corporate or activity-specific documents the authority requests.
Complete the Registration Process
UAQFTZ reviews your application and issues the licence once documents, payments and approvals are complete. Processing time varies by application.
Arrange Visas and Banking, If Required
Complete the immigration procedures if you need UAE residency. You can also apply for a corporate bank account, subject to the bank’s approval.
Infrastructure
Office and Infrastructure Options
Co-working Space
LSuited to eligible entrepreneurs, consultants and startups that do not need a private office. Your package and facility agreement determine the arrangements available. Confirm visa allocations before you select a co-working package.
0 visas
Office Space
UAQFTZ offers executive offices and other arrangements for businesses that need a dedicated physical base, including ready-to-occupy offices and spaces that can be adapted to operational needs, subject to availability.
1 visa
Warehousing
Warehouses are available for eligible storage, distribution and light manufacturing. Confirm unit specifications, permitted uses, lease terms and access arrangements before you sign.
2 visas
Industrial Land
Industrial land is available for eligible businesses that need space for manufacturing, warehousing or showrooms. The authority advertises plots from 2,500 sq. m and renewable lease terms of up to 25 years. Availability, pricing and permitted uses are subject to the applicable agreement.
4 visas
Compliance
Annual Renewal and Compliance
Have Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions About UAQ Free Zone
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