Key takeaways
- UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup means registering an FZE, FZC or branch with the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority (UAQ FTZ), the only free zone in Umm Al Quwain, which began in 1987 as the Ahmed Bin Rashid Port and Free Zone.
- It combines cheap desk licences with real industrial space: offices from 9 m², warehouses from 100 m², industrial land from 2,500 m² at rents “from as low as AED 18” per m² a year, and labour accommodation from AED 400 per person a month.
- It issues a genuine Freelance Permit. UAQ FTZ’s current offer is AED 1,818 a month with a residence visa, medical, Emirates ID and insurance; its company package with an investor visa is AED 2,266 a month. The number of monthly payments is not published.
- Capital rules conflict. The zone’s site says minimum capital is AED 300,000 but “no proof of start-up capital required”; its 2014 Company Regulations say capital must be “fully issued and paid up upon incorporation”.
- Visas are ICP visas with two-year validity, and residence file numbers start with 5, the Umm Al Quwain code.
- Both UAQ FTZ sites are VAT designated zones: the zone at Ahmed Bin Rashid Port and the zone on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road are on the FTA list under Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2017.
- Mainland sales go through an agent or distributor, in UAQ FTZ’s own words; Dubai’s mainland permit does not apply.
UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup is the process of registering a Free Zone Establishment (FZE), Free Zone Company (FZC) or branch with the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority, choosing a licence (commercial, general trading, service, industrial or freelance) and a facility, and then obtaining the establishment card and residence visas. UAQ FTZ describes itself as “an organization directly under the Government of Umm Al Quwain” and states on every page that it “is one of the designated free zones in the UAE as per Cabinet Decision No. (54) of the year 2023”. It sits on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), about 45 km from Dubai, beside the Ahmed Bin Rashid Port now run by Hutchison Ports. It is known for low-cost licences and freelance permits, and for industrial land, warehouses and labour housing that few desk-licence zones offer.
This guide sets out what UAQ FTZ publishes, where its own documents disagree, and what to confirm before you pay. Every figure comes from uaqftz.gov.ae, its downloadable regulations and forms, its official promotion pages, or federal sources, checked on 26 September 2026. If you want one team to compare UAQ with other zones and run the file, see our free zone company setup support.
UAQ Free Trade Zone at a glance
| Point | UAQ Free Trade Zone position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority, under the Government of Umm Al Quwain; Chairman Sheikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Mu’alla; General Manager Johnson M. George | uaqftz.gov.ae, Leadership |
| Legal basis | Designated free zone “as per Cabinet Decision No. (54) of the year 2023” (UAQ FTZ’s wording); UAQ Free Trade Zone Company Regulations No. 1/14 (2014); UAQ FTZ Rules and Regulations and AML Regulations | uaqftz.gov.ae, site banner and Downloads |
| Location | Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), Umm Al Quwain, and the Ahmed Bin Rashid Port area; about 45 km from Dubai | uaqftz.gov.ae, Free Trade Zone and Umm Al Quwain pages |
| Established | 1987, as Ahmed Bin Rashid Port and Free Zone (the Leadership page says “since our inception in 1986”) | uaqftz.gov.ae |
| Best for | Freelancers, e-commerce and consultancy start-ups, general traders, light manufacturers, logistics and warehousing | Our assessment from UAQ FTZ’s offer |
| Legal forms | FZE (one shareholder), FZC (2 to 50 shareholders), branch of an existing company; all with limited liability | Licenses and Entity page; Company Regulations 3.6 |
| Licence types | Commercial, general trading, service/consultancy, industrial, Freelance Permit; “more than 1500 business activities” | Licensing Services; Licenses and Entity |
| Official setup time | “Business owner in just two days” (Benefits); licence “issued in 1 working day” (official promotion page) | uaqftz.gov.ae; promotion.uaqftz.com |
| Visa allocation basis | By facility and package; offices from 9 m² list “6+ visas available”; package visas included | Leasing Services; promotion pages |
| Office options | Co-working, serviced and independent offices, warehouses from 100 m², land plots from 2,500 m², labour accommodation | Leasing Services |
| VAT designated zone | Yes: “Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone in Ahmed Bin Rashid Port” and “Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road”, both from 1 January 2018 | FTA list of designated zones (version of 21 September 2021) |
| Mainland trading route | “To do business in the local UAE market, it has to be through an agent or distributor” | Licenses and Entity page |
| Website | uaqftz.gov.ae (also uaqftz.com) | UAQ FTZ |
What UAQ Free Trade Zone is known for
The Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone is the emirate’s only free zone and one of the oldest in the country. It started as the free zone of Ahmed Bin Rashid Port. In 2017 the government awarded the port operation to Hutchison Ports, and the port now trades as Hutchison Ports UAQ, a four-berth facility with an 845-metre quay, a 23-hectare yard and 118,000 m² reserved for light industry, according to UAQ FTZ’s port page. UAQ Free Trade Zone says businesses in the zone get “special concessions” at the port.
Today most UAQ FTZ clients are not port users. Its promotion pages claim “11,000+ businesses registered”, and its marketing leads with low-cost licences, a Freelance Permit with a visa, and fully remote setup with online identity checks. At the same time it still leases industrial land, warehouses and labour accommodation along the E311, which makes it one of the few zones where a freelancer and a factory sit under the same authority.
What makes UAQ FTZ different from rival zones
- A true freelance product. UAQ Free Trade Zone issues a Freelance Permit, which it says lets an individual operate “in one’s birth name as opposed to a brand name or company”.
- Monthly payment packages. Its current headline offers are priced per month, which is unusual for a free zone.
- Industrial land near Dubai. Plots from 2,500 m² on leases of up to 25 years, 45 km from Dubai on the E311.
- Two designated zone sites for VAT, at the port and on the highway.
- A published company rulebook (Company Regulations No. 1/14) and detailed checklists for amendments and cancellation, which many package zones do not publish.
To compare UAQ with the rest of the country, see our free zones in UAE guide. UAQ has no separate emirate guide because UAQ FTZ is the only free zone in Umm Al Quwain.
You will see UAQ FTZ, UAQFTZ, Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone and Umm Al Quwain Free Zone used for the same authority. The FTA’s VAT list names two separate locations. They are one licensing authority.
UAQ Free Trade Zone legal forms and shareholders
| Legal form | Owners | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Zone Establishment (FZE) | One shareholder, individual or corporate | Limited liability |
| Free Zone Company (FZC) | 2 to 50 shareholders | Limited liability; Company Regulations 3.6 caps shareholders at 50 |
| Branch | An existing UAE or foreign company | The parent is liable for the branch |
UAQ FTZ’s Licenses and Entity page says “all entities formed in the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone will be with limited liability”, and “every entity should have a natural person as manager, director and secretary”. The Company Regulations allow one person to be both director and secretary. UAQ FTZ’s amendment checklists add age limits: a manager must be at least 21, and shareholders, directors and secretaries at least 18.
Capital: two sources, two answers
The Licenses and Entity page says “the company’s minimum capital should be AED 300,000 ($82,000 USD), with a share value of AED 1000”, and lists “no proof of start-up capital required” as an advantage. The Company Regulations No. 1/14 (section 3.7) say share capital must be “at least AED 300,000” and “fully issued and paid up upon incorporation”. The amendment checklist asks for a bank statement or bank letter only when capital is AED 2 million or more. UAQ FTZ’s website indicates you do not have to prove the capital at setup, but under the regulations it is still a declared, paid-up amount in your company’s constitution. Ask UAQ Free Trade Zone which capital figure your package uses, because banks and auditors will read it.
Offshore
UAQ FTZ does not advertise an offshore company. Its entities are onshore free zone companies with a facility.
UAQ Free Trade Zone licence types and activities
| Licence | What it covers | Activity rule |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Import, export, storage and distribution of the goods named on the licence | 10 similar activities or 3 different categories |
| General trading | A wider range of goods “permitted within the UAE” | Under the commercial category |
| Service / consultancy | Professional, consulting and other services | Two activities |
| Industrial | Manufacturing and production; “a physical office or warehouse is mandatory” | Tied to facility |
| Freelance Permit | An individual working in their own name, for technology, media, film, creative, talent and some administrative roles | Two related activities |
UAQ FTZ says clients can choose from “more than 1500 business activities”. A company can also hold a second licence type in the same entity, which UAQ Free Trade Zone calls dual licensing: for example, a trading company adds a consultancy licence without forming a new company. The dual licence expires on the same date as the primary licence.
UAQ freelance permit explained
The UAQ freelance permit is the zone’s official name for its freelancer product; its promotion page says “the official UAQFTZ product is a Freelance Permit”. It includes two related freelance activities, and examples on the page include graphic designer, web developer, social media specialist, photographer, content provider, video editor, makeup artist, tutor, fitness trainer, chef, translator and PR specialist. It is not suited, in UAQ FTZ’s own words, to “businesses needing multiple employees immediately”, “trading companies”, “industrial or warehouse operations” or “companies needing multiple unrelated activities”.
Activities that need approval
UAQ FTZ does not publish a searchable activity list with approval requirements. Expect external approvals for regulated areas such as media (the National Media Authority, which replaced the National Media Council after a decree-law announced on 18 December 2025), education, health, food and financial services, and an environmental clearance certificate for some industrial activities, which UAQ FTZ lists among its PRO services. Industrial licences also need a civil defence certificate at renewal, and warehouse and land tenants must show insurance.
UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup process, step by step
UAQ FTZ’s own “3 easy steps” are licence, facility and submit. Its promotion pages describe four: you submit details, UAQ Free Trade Zone confirms the activity, the licence is issued, then residency follows. Put together with the federal steps, the order is:
| Step | What happens | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose licence and activities | Commercial, service, industrial or freelance; confirm activity classification with UAQ FTZ | Not published |
| 2. Choose facility | Co-working desk, office, warehouse or land; this sets your visa capacity | Not published |
| 3. Submit application and documents | Application form, passports, proof of address, three proposed names, UBO and specimen signature form | Not published |
| 4. Compliance review and pre-approval | Licensing and compliance review; immigration pre-approval for restricted nationalities; digital identity verification by video call where used | Not published |
| 5. Licence issued | Licence, lease agreement and company documents by email; licence carries a QR code | “1 working day” (promotion page); “just two days” (Benefits page) |
| 6. Establishment card and E-Channel | Company registered with immigration | Not published |
| 7. Visas | Entry permit or status change, medical, Emirates ID, residence stamping through ICP | Not published by UAQ FTZ |
| 8. Bank, tax, UBO | Bank account, corporate tax registration, UBO kept current | Corporate tax under FTA Decision No. 3 of 2024; UBO changes within 15 days |
The u.ae federal portal says free zone approvals generally take “within 14 working days”. UAQ FTZ’s one-to-two-day promise applies to the licence once documents and approvals are in place, and its own FAQ adds that “residency steps may require additional processing time”.
Remote setup and digital verification
UAQ Free Trade Zone says “no physical presence is required at the Free Zone office for company formation”. Its checklists describe a “Digital Verification Process” run by the compliance team and registrar “via Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, or Botim”, used for share transfers and cancellations without attending in person. You still need to be in the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics if you take a residence visa.
UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup documents
Each individual shareholder and the manager
- Colour scan of the passport photo page, valid for at least six months with at least three consecutive blank pages.
- Scan of an existing UAE visa or recent UAE entry stamp, if applicable.
- Recent proof of address issued within 90 days: a utility or mobile bill, personal bank statement or official tax filing, in English or Arabic (or with a certified translation).
- Mobile number and email address.
- Three proposed company names in order of preference.
- Shareholding structure, if there is more than one shareholder.
- Passport-size photograph to UAQ FTZ’s specification.
- Specimen signature form and UBO undertaking.
Corporate shareholder (subsidiary)
- Certificate of incorporation and board resolution, attested by the UAE embassy in the home country and by MOFA in the UAE.
- Good standing certificate.
- Chart showing ownership “until the ultimate individual beneficial owners”.
- Passport copies of the manager, director and UBO; visa or entry stamp and photo of the manager; proof of address of the manager, director and secretary.
Our document attestation service handles embassy and MOFA attestation. For later changes, UAQ FTZ’s amendment checklist says resolutions from other free zone companies are attested by their authority, UAE and GCC mainland resolutions are notarised, and those from outside the GCC are attested by the UAE embassy.
UBO
Every UAQ FTZ company files a UBO declaration under Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023 and keeps it current, with penalties under Cabinet Decision No. 132 of 2023. UAQ FTZ’s checklists ask for “a clear corporate structure chart showing all corporate layers leading to the final UBO(s)” and for individuals owning or controlling 25% or more. Our UBO register guide explains the rules.
UAQ Free Trade Zone cost: packages and published prices
UAQ FTZ publishes package headlines rather than a fee schedule, and its offers have changed several times. Here is what its official pages show, current offers first.
| Offer (official page) | Price | What UAQ Free Trade Zone lists | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAQ Start, monthly (promotion.uaqftz.com) | AED 2,266 per month | Business licence, up to 10 activities, UAE investor visa, Emirates ID, medical test, basic medical insurance, co-working space, documentation, bank account opening assistance | Current; number of months not stated |
| UAQ Freelance, monthly (promotion.uaqftz.com) | AED 1,818 per month | Freelancer permit, 2 related activities, registration fee, residence visa, medical test, Emirates ID, medical insurance, co-working access, lease agreement | Current; number of months not stated |
| “The True All Inclusive Package” / UAQ START (uaqftz.gov.ae promotions, 18 April 2023) | AED 12,500 | FZE, FZC or branch; commercial and consultancy licence; residence visa; co-working with lease; medical; Emirates ID; insurance; E-Channel; establishment card | Older post; page title and web address show different figures (AED 4,949 and 13,900) |
| UAQ Lyte Package (uaqftz.gov.ae promotions, 28 December 2023) | AED 5,500 | Contents not stated | Older post; web address mentions “2 visa package for AED 13500” |
| Freelance package (uaqftz.gov.ae promotions, 29 October 2024) | “Starting at AED 9999 per month” | Freelance licence, residence visa, medical, Emirates ID; no security deposit | Older post; the “per month” figure is inconsistent with the later AED 1,818 monthly offer |
What this means for you: the monthly offers are the current ones, but UAQ FTZ does not publish how many instalments you pay or the total. Its FAQ says “our team will explain the payment terms clearly before you proceed”. Before paying, ask for the number of months, the total, what happens if you cancel mid-term, and the renewal price. Treat the older package posts as history.
Charges UAQ FTZ mentions but does not price
- Pre-approval fee and establishment card amendment fee for changes of shareholder, manager or name.
- Late fees if a licence is not renewed or deregistered by expiry, plus “third party fines”.
- E-Channel deposit, refundable on cancellation through the E-Channel refund form.
- Newspaper publication for 15 days on name changes and cancellation.
- Family visas, extra visas, amendments and substitutions outside the package.
UAQ Free Trade Zone office options and how they affect visas
| Facility | What UAQ Free Trade Zone publishes | Visa note |
|---|---|---|
| Co-working / shared desk | Included in packages with a lease agreement | Package visas (1 in current packages) |
| Offices | Independent, serviced and shell-and-core units “from 9 Sq. m onwards” | “6+ Visas Available” |
| Warehouses | Pre-built from 100 m², eaves from 7.2 m, attached office, 15 to 36 kW power (upgradable), fire systems | Not stated; larger facilities normally support more visas |
| Land plots | From 2,500 m², leases up to 25 years (renewable), rent “from as low as AED 18” per m² a year, dedicated industry zones | Not stated |
| Labour accommodation | G+3 building, 6 beds per room, utilities included, from AED 400 per person a month; meals option | Housing for your visa holders |
Source: uaqftz.gov.ae, Leasing Services, and promotion.uaqftz.com, industrial land page, checked 26 September 2026. A 2,500 m² plot at AED 18 per m² would be AED 45,000 a year in land rent before construction, licence and utilities; UAQ FTZ says rent depends on plot size, so treat AED 18 as the floor.
At renewal UAQ FTZ asks warehouse and land tenants for an insurance copy and industrial licence holders for a civil defence certificate, and on leaving it requires the facility to be restored “to its original condition”.
UAQ Free Trade Zone visa and residency
A UAQ Free Trade Zone company can sponsor investors, partners and employees for UAE residence, and UAQ FTZ’s support page says “all visas have a two-year validity period”. Umm Al Quwain residence visas are issued by the federal ICP, not by Dubai’s GDRFA, and the residence file number starts with 5. UAQ FTZ acts as a “one-stop-shop” for immigration, labour and customs formalities for its companies.
The order of events
- Establishment card and E-Channel registration, which register the company with immigration. See our establishment card guide.
- Entry permit for someone outside the UAE, or a change of status for someone inside.
- Medical fitness test; see our medical fitness test service.
- Emirates ID biometrics and residence stamping through ICP; our Emirates ID typing service covers the application.
- Health insurance, which UAQ FTZ lists as mandatory and includes in its current packages.
UAQ Free Trade Zone visa services and special cases
- UAQ FTZ’s visa services form covers labour lists, visa extension or replacement, NOCs for visa renewal over 60 years of age, entry and exit reports, absconding letters and PRO cards.
- Immigration pre-approval is needed for shareholders of restricted nationalities and for new managers of branches and corporate shareholders.
- If an outgoing shareholder or manager holds a visa sponsored through UAQ Free Trade Zone, it must be cancelled before the change completes.
- On company cancellation, visas are cancelled after the 15-day newspaper advertisement period.
Family, freelance and Golden Visa routes
UAQ FTZ says it helps clients sponsor “spouse, kids, parents and maids” with medical, Emirates ID and stamping. The freelance package FAQ is careful: family sponsorship is “not included in the monthly package” and depends on “UAE immigration rules, salary requirements, documentation, and approval”. UAQ FTZ also offers Golden Visa assistance; owners with significant investment can review the routes on our Golden Visa service page, and our UAE visa types guide covers the categories. When a visa ends, the ICP grace periods apply (30 days for most categories), followed by an overstay fine of AED 50 a day.
If you will live and work in Dubai, note that a UAQ visa is valid everywhere in the UAE, but some Dubai landlords, employers and banks ask about the issuing emirate. Our free zone visa service and the guide on free zone vs mainland visas explain the options.
Opening a bank account for a UAQ Free Trade Zone company
UAQ Free Trade Zone lists three banking partners on its site: the National Bank of Umm Al Quwain (NBQ), which has a branch in the free zone; Emirates Development Bank, for SME financing; and Wio Bank for digital business banking, plus payment gateways. Partnership does not guarantee an account. Banks will ask for the licence, constitutional documents, passports and visas, proof of address, a business plan or contracts, and source of funds. Freelancers and non-residents should expect the most questions. Read our corporate bank account guide before you apply.
UAQ Free Trade Zone tax: corporate tax, VAT and customs
Corporate tax
UAQ FTZ’s own promotion page puts it correctly: “qualifying income and corporate tax treatment depend on UAE corporate tax rules and company activity”. Every UAQ FTZ company registers with the FTA. The rate is 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000; a Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income if it keeps adequate substance, prepares audited financial statements and stays within the de minimis limit (the lower of 5% of revenue or AED 5 million), under Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023. Qualifying activities are listed in Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025, which replaced Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023. Manufacturing, processing, logistics and distribution from a designated zone are on the list, and both UAQ FTZ sites are designated zones. Freelancers and consultants selling services to the UAE mainland will usually pay the normal rate, and Qualifying Free Zone Persons cannot use Small Business Relief. See our corporate tax registration guide.
Audit
UAQ FTZ’s renewal checklist does not list audited accounts. Its Company Regulations No. 1/14 still require annual financial statements (section 3.27) and provide for an auditor licensed in the zone (section 3.28). If you want the 0% rate, audited statements are a federal condition in any case.
VAT and designated zone status
The FTA list of designated zones under Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2017 includes “Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone in Ahmed Bin Rashid Port” and “Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road”, both from 1 January 2018. We relied on the FTA’s September 2021 list because the current FTA page could not be fetched; check the live list. Designated zone rules mainly affect goods; services are taxed at 5% as normal, and VAT registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies.
Customs
UAQ Free Trade Zone advertises “100% import and export tax exemption within the Free Zone and outside GCC countries”. Its port page says the port complex is classified as part of the free zone, with exemption from duties on goods “transiting, stored in bond, or manufactured within the Zone”. Goods entering the UAE market pay customs duty in the normal way.
Selling to the UAE mainland from a UAQ Free Trade Zone company
UAQ FTZ is direct about this: “In general, a free zone license allows the client to conduct business either within the free zone or outside the UAE. To do business in the local UAE market, it has to be through an agent or distributor. There are no restrictions on participating in any exhibitions in UAE.” Dubai’s Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 and its Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit apply only to Dubai free zones. We found no published Umm Al Quwain rule that lets a UAQ Free Trade Zone company trade onshore on its free zone licence. Your options are:
- Sell through a mainland distributor or agent.
- Obtain a separate mainland licence; UAQ FTZ lists “Mainland License” among its paid PRO services, and the licence would come from the relevant emirate’s economic department.
- Serve clients outside the UAE, the core model for most freelancers and consultants.
If most of your customers are in Dubai, compare a Dubai mainland company using our mainland company formation guide.
Keeping a UAQ Free Trade Zone company compliant
| Obligation | What UAQ FTZ asks for |
|---|---|
| Licence renewal | Renewal form; shareholder passports; for corporate owners a valid licence or good standing certificate and shareholder letter; UBO declaration and UBO passports; renewed lease; fees |
| Sector items | Civil defence certificate for industrial licences; insurance copy for warehouses and land |
| Renewal time | Renewed licence and lease “issued within one business day” after approval, with a QR code showing validity |
| Late renewal | “Late fees will be imposed” and “third party fines will also be incurred” (amounts not published) |
| Licence term | Minimum one year; multi-year licences available |
| Amendments | Activities, shareholders, manager, directors, secretary, name, capital and financial year, each with resolutions, UBO documents and fees; name changes need a 15-day newspaper notice |
| AML and UBO | UAQ Free Trade Zone AML Regulations; Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025; Cabinet Decisions 109 and 132 of 2023 |
| Deregistration | Deregistration form, resolution, visa cancellations, E-Channel refund form, 15-day newspaper notice, facility restored; in person or by digital verification |
UAQ FTZ still publishes Economic Substance Regulations templates. Cabinet Resolution No. 98 of 2024 removed ESR filings for financial years starting after 31 December 2022, so ask UAQ FTZ whether anything is needed for older years only.
UAQ Free Trade Zone pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Genuine Freelance Permit with a visa, AED 1,818 a month | Monthly packages do not state the number of instalments or total |
| Industrial land from AED 18 per m² a year, warehouses and labour housing 45 km from Dubai | No published fee schedule for extras, amendments or late renewal |
| Two VAT designated zone sites and a port with free zone concessions | Capital rule differs between the website and the Company Regulations |
| Remote setup with video-call identity checks; licence in one or two days once approved | Older package posts with conflicting prices are still online |
| Published company regulations and detailed amendment checklists | Mainland sales only through an agent, distributor or separate licence |
| Partner banks including a bank branch inside the zone | UAQ-issued visas and address can raise questions with some Dubai counterparties |
Who UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup suits
- Freelancers who want a permit in their own name with a residence visa.
- E-commerce, consultancy and general trading start-ups that want a low entry price.
- Light manufacturers, assemblers and logistics firms that need land or a warehouse close to Dubai and Sharjah.
- Businesses using Hutchison Ports UAQ for import and export.
Who should look beyond the UAQ free zone
- Creators and media businesses comparing low-cost media zones: see Creative City Fujairah and SHAMS.
- Northern Emirates industrial projects comparing land and warehouse offers: compare Ajman Free Zone, Hamriyah Free Zone and RAKEZ.
- Oil, bunkering and east-coast shipping: the Fujairah Free Zone is built for that.
- Businesses that need a Dubai address or direct Dubai mainland trading: consider a Dubai zone or a mainland licence.
UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup in practice: five cases
These cases are built from the situations we see most often. Names and identifying details are left out, and the figures are the published ones.
Case 1: a graphic designer leaving employment
A designer whose employer was cancelling her visa wanted to keep living in the UAE and work for her own clients. The UAQ freelance permit at AED 1,818 a month includes two related activities and a residence visa. We asked UAQ Free Trade Zone in writing for the number of instalments and the renewal price before she signed, and timed the new visa within her grace period. Lesson: know the total, not just the monthly figure.
Case 2: an e-commerce start-up with a Dubai warehouse partner
A two-founder online store chose an FZC with a general trading licence and co-working desk. Stock sat with a third-party logistics provider in Dubai and sales to UAE consumers went through the platform’s local seller arrangements. UAQ FTZ’s rule that local sales go “through an agent or distributor” shaped the model. Lesson: decide the mainland sales route before you pick the zone.
Case 3: a light manufacturer needing land
A packaging manufacturer needed about 5,000 m². UAQ FTZ’s land starts at 2,500 m² with rents from AED 18 per m² a year and leases up to 25 years, with labour accommodation nearby at AED 400 a person a month. We budgeted the land at the floor rate as a minimum, added construction, the industrial licence, environmental clearance and civil defence certification, and asked for the power allocation in writing. Lesson: the land rent is the smallest line in an industrial budget.
Case 4: a foreign parent adding a subsidiary
An Indian trading group formed a UAQ FTZ subsidiary. Its certificate of incorporation and board resolution needed UAE embassy attestation in India and MOFA attestation in the UAE, plus a good standing certificate and an ownership chart down to the individual owners. Immigration pre-approval was needed for the manager. Lesson: corporate owners should start attestation before choosing a package.
Case 5: closing a company from abroad
An owner who had left the UAE wanted to close his FZE. UAQ FTZ allowed digital verification by video call instead of attending, but still required a shareholder resolution, visa cancellation, a 15-day newspaper notice, the E-Channel refund form and return of the facility. Deregistering before the licence expired avoided late fees. Lesson: cancel before expiry, not after.
UAQ Free Trade Zone myths: what circulates online that is not true
| What circulates | The position |
|---|---|
| “UAQ licence with visa for AED 2,266” | AED 2,266 is a monthly price; UAQ FTZ does not publish the number of months |
| “No capital needed” | Minimum capital is AED 300,000; the site says no proof is required, but the 2014 regulations require it to be paid up |
| “A freelance permit is the same as a company” | It is issued to an individual, trading in their own name, with two related activities; not for trading or multiple employees |
| “Free zone means tax-free” | Every company registers for corporate tax; 0% applies only to qualifying income |
| “You can sell anywhere in the UAE” | Local sales go through an agent or distributor, or a separate mainland licence |
| “UAQ Free Trade Zone is part of Ajman or Sharjah free zones” | It is Umm Al Quwain’s own free zone under its own government |
How to verify every UAQ Free Trade Zone figure in this guide
| Figure or rule | Where to check it |
|---|---|
| Legal forms, capital, licence and activity rules | uaqftz.gov.ae, Licenses and Entity |
| Capital paid up, shareholders, officers, accounts | UAQ FTZ Company Regulations No. 1/14 (Downloads) |
| Monthly package prices and inclusions | promotion.uaqftz.com (UAQ Start and UAQ Freelance pages) |
| Offices, warehouses, land, accommodation | uaqftz.gov.ae, Leasing Services |
| Documents for new company, renewal, amendments | uaqftz.gov.ae, Downloads (checklists) |
| Port facilities | uaqftz.gov.ae, UAQ Port Freezone |
| Designated zone status | FTA list of designated zones |
| Qualifying activities | Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 |
| Licence validity | QR code on the licence; UAQ FTZ licence verification tool |
UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup: how MIRDXB PRO helps
We are an independent PRO and business-setup consultancy in Al Barsha 1, Dubai, and an Amer and Tasheel partner. We are not UAQ Free Trade Zone and are not listed by it as a partner or agent. What we provide is company formation support that checks UAQ FTZ’s offer against your full plan and then runs the file.
What we do for a UAQ FTZ company
- Confirm licence type, activities and whether a freelance permit or company fits better.
- Get the package terms in writing: number of instalments, total, cancellation and renewal price.
- Prepare application, proof of address, UBO and specimen signature documents, and attest corporate documents.
- Coordinate the establishment card, visas, medical, Emirates ID and insurance, and prepare the bank file.
- Diarise renewals so you avoid late fees and third-party fines.
How our UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup support works
- Message us on WhatsApp with your activity, owners and visa needs.
- We send a written plan with UAQ FTZ’s published prices, the items it does not publish, a timeline and our fee.
- You approve and we prepare the file while you gather documents.
- We follow it through to licence, visa and bank documents.
What our UAQ FTZ support costs
UAQ Free Trade Zone and government fees are passed on at cost. Our fee depends on the structure, attestation and visas, and is quoted in writing before we start; see our fees page.
Why founders use us for a UAQ free zone licence
- We publish our sources and point out where UAQ FTZ’s own pages conflict.
- We tell you when a different zone or the mainland fits better.
- One team covers licence, visas, medicals, Emirates ID, attestation and ongoing PRO work from our Al Barsha 1 office (Monday to Thursday and Saturday 09:00 to 18:00, Friday 09:00 to 12:00).
If you are also weighing business setup in Dubai on the mainland or in a Dubai free zone, we can compare those routes in the same written plan.
What we will and will not do
- We will show you UAQ FTZ’s published prices and get the payment terms in writing; we will not invent figures.
- We will prepare and submit applications; we will not promise approval, a visa or a bank account.
- We will flag activities that need another regulator; we will not treat a free zone licence as that approval.
- We will refer tax questions to a registered tax agent.
Related guides
- Free zones in UAE: the complete guide
- Ajman Free Zone company setup
- Hamriyah Free Zone company setup
- RAKEZ company setup
- Creative City Fujairah company setup
- Work permit types in the UAE
- Corporate tax registration in the UAE
- Corporate bank account in the UAE
UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup: frequently asked questions
How much does UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup cost in 2026?
UAQ FTZ’s current official offer is AED 2,266 a month for a licence with up to 10 activities, an investor visa, Emirates ID, medical, basic insurance and co-working space. It does not publish the number of monthly payments or the total. An older all-inclusive one-visa package was AED 12,500. Ask for the full payment schedule in writing.
What is the UAQ freelance permit and what does it cost?
It is UAQ FTZ’s permit for an individual to work in their own name, with two related activities in fields such as design, web development, content, photography, tutoring and fitness. The current package is AED 1,818 a month with a residence visa, medical test, Emirates ID, medical insurance and co-working access. The number of instalments is not published.
What is the minimum capital for a UAQ FTZ company?
AED 300,000, with shares of AED 1,000, according to UAQ FTZ’s Licenses and Entity page, which also says no proof of start-up capital is required. The 2014 Company Regulations say capital must be fully paid up on incorporation. A bank statement is asked for only when capital changes involve AED 2 million or more.
How many shareholders can a UAQ Free Trade Zone company have?
An FZE has one shareholder and an FZC has from two up to 50. Each company needs a natural person as manager, director and secretary; the director and secretary can be the same person. UAQ FTZ’s checklists set a minimum age of 21 for managers and 18 for shareholders, directors and secretaries.
How fast can I get a UAQ Free Trade Zone licence?
UAQ Free Trade Zone says the licence can be issued in one working day and that you could be a business owner “in just two days”, once documents and approvals are complete. Pre-approvals, restricted nationality checks and visas take longer. Renewals are issued within one business day after approval.
Can I set up in UAQ FTZ without visiting the UAE?
Yes. UAQ FTZ says no physical presence is required for company formation and uses digital identity verification by video call for some procedures. You must be in the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics if you take a residence visa.
Who issues visas for UAQ Free Trade Zone companies?
Umm Al Quwain residence visas are issued through the federal ICP, not Dubai’s GDRFA, and the file number starts with 5. UAQ Free Trade Zone handles the application and says all its visas are valid for two years. Health insurance is mandatory.
Is the UAQ Free Trade Zone a VAT designated zone?
Yes. The FTA list of designated zones includes the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone at Ahmed Bin Rashid Port and the zone on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, both from 1 January 2018. The rules mainly affect goods; services are taxed at 5% as normal. Check the current FTA list.
Can a UAQ FTZ company sell to customers in Dubai?
UAQ FTZ says business in the local UAE market must go through an agent or distributor, though companies may exhibit anywhere in the UAE. Dubai’s mainland permit under Resolution No. 11 of 2025 applies only to Dubai free zones. For direct onshore sales you need a separate mainland licence.
Can I lease land or a warehouse in UAQ Free Trade Zone?
Yes. Land plots start at 2,500 m² on leases of up to 25 years, with rent from AED 18 per m² a year depending on size. Pre-built warehouses start at 100 m² with an office and 15 to 36 kW power. Labour accommodation starts at AED 400 per person a month.
Do UAQ Free Trade Zone companies need audited accounts?
The renewal checklist does not list an audit, but the Company Regulations require annual financial statements and provide for an auditor. If you want the 0% corporate tax rate as a Qualifying Free Zone Person, audited financial statements are required under federal rules.
How do I close a UAQ Free Trade Zone company?
Submit the deregistration form, a shareholder or corporate resolution, visa cancellations and the E-Channel refund form, publish a newspaper notice for 15 days, return the facility in its original condition and pay the fees. Digital verification can replace attending in person. Late fees apply if the licence expires first.
Can MIRDXB PRO set up my UAQ Free Trade Zone company?
Yes. We confirm the licence and activities, get the package terms in writing, prepare and attest documents, and coordinate the establishment card, visas, medical, Emirates ID and bank file. UAQ Free Trade Zone and government fees are passed on at cost. We are an independent consultancy, not UAQ FTZ. See our business setup service.
How much does MIRDXB PRO charge for UAQ FTZ setup support?
Our fee depends on the structure, attestation and number of visas, so we do not publish one price. Send your details on WhatsApp and we will reply with UAQ FTZ’s published prices, the items to confirm, a timeline and our fee, all in writing before we start.
Keeping a UAQ Free Trade Zone company’s licence, establishment card, visas and filings in order after setup is what our PRO services in Dubai team handles.
- UAQ Free Trade Zone: About (history, location, Cabinet Decision No. 54 of 2023 statement)
- UAQ FTZ: Licenses and Entity
- UAQ FTZ: Licensing Services
- UAQ Free Trade Zone: Leasing Services
- UAQ FTZ: Business Support Services (visas, banking)
- UAQ FTZ: Benefits
- UAQ Free Trade Zone: UAQ Port Freezone
- UAQ FTZ: Downloads (regulations and checklists)
- UAQ FTZ Company Regulations No. 1/14 (2014, PDF)
- UAQ Free Trade Zone: UAQ Start monthly package
- UAQ FTZ: UAQ Freelance Permit monthly package
- UAQ FTZ: Banking Partners
- FTA: List of Designated Zones, version of 21 September 2021 (Internet Archive)
- Ministry of Finance: Corporate tax FAQ
- u.ae: Starting a business in a free zone
Checked against UAQ FTZ’s website, downloadable regulations and checklists, official promotion pages, the FTA designated zones list, the Ministry of Finance and u.ae on 26 September 2026. UAQ Free Trade Zone publishes no full fee schedule and does not state the length of its monthly plans; your UAQ FTZ contract and invoice are final.
Please note. This guide is general information, verified 26 September 2026, and is not legal or tax advice. MIRDXB PRO is an independent consultancy and is not affiliated with the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority or the Government of Umm Al Quwain. UAQ FTZ sets its own packages and fees and may change them. Where official sources are silent or disagree, we say so. The cases are built from common situations and are illustrative, not records of named clients.
