UAQ Free Trade Zone
Umm Al Quwain Free Zone company formation, made simple.
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone sits on the UAE west coast by the port of Ahmed Bin Rashid, around 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport. It is one of the cheapest places to set up in the UAE, with no NOC required, flexible licenses and 100% ownership. Choose your license type below, or let an advisor map it to your activity.
- 100% foreign ownership
- No NOC required
- Some of the lowest UAE costs
- Often set up remotely
Why UAQ Free Zone
A complete UAE company, at a lower cost.
Umm Al Quwain is the second smallest and least populated emirate, set between Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah, with a heritage in fishing, date cultivation and its port. Its Free Trade Zone is built for SMEs and micro-businesses, pairing the usual Free Zone benefits with some of the lowest costs in the country, and no NOC to get started.
100% ownership
Own your UAQ Free Zone company outright, with no local partner.
Very low cost
UAQ Free Trade Zone has some of the cheapest packages in the UAE.
Tax advantages
Favourable Free Zone tax treatment, with qualifying income reliefs.
No NOC needed
Set up even while on another company's visa, with no no-objection letter.
Flexible licenses
Commercial, service, industrial and freelance options on one zone.
Fast, often remote
Many licenses are issued in days, and most without flying in.
What you can set up
Licenses for every kind of business.
UAQ Free Trade Zone covers everything from trading and industry to consultancy and solo freelancers, on flexible, low-cost licenses. We match the right one to your activity.
Commercial license
Trade, import, export and distribute goods across activities.
Service and consultancy
Advisory, professional and management services of all kinds.
Industrial license
Light manufacturing, assembly, processing and packaging.
Freelancer permit
A single-professional license with a residence visa.
Micro business
A low-cost starter license for small and new ventures.
E-commerce
Sell online with a dedicated E-commerce license.
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone, beside the port of Ahmed Bin Rashid, is one of the most affordable in the UAE, with no NOC required and a setup that is usually completed remotely in three to five business days. Not sure which license fits? An advisor will match it to your activity.
What it costs
The cost of a UAQ Free Zone company.
There is no single price, but UAQ is consistently one of the cheapest emirates to set up in. The total depends on your license type, your visas and your office option. These are the parts that make up the figure, and a quote based on your exact needs is more accurate than a single advertised price.
License and registration
The core fee to register the company and issue your trade license.
Visas and immigration
Establishment card and each residence visa you and your team need.
Office or flexi-desk
A flexi-desk is the cheapest option, an office or warehouse costs more.
Activity and add-ons
Some activities, approvals and extras like attestation add to the total.
How we help
From license selection to an operating company.
- 01
Receive a Consultation
Share your activity, visa needs and budget in a quick call.
- 02
We Choose thelicense
We match your activity to the right UAQ license type.
- 03
We form the company
We handle the license, paperwork and approvals end to end.
- 04
Visas and bank
We arrange your residence visas and a corporate bank intro.
Why FZM
A UAE team with deep UAQ experience.
We work with the UAQ authority and every other UAE zone, so our advice is built around your business, not the commission of a single zone. After 15 years and 1,500+ companies formed, we know where UAQ genuinely fits.
- In days
- Typical setup
- 1,500+
- Companies formed
- 15+
- Years in the UAE
- UAQ FTZ
- Free trade zone
Keep exploring
More on setting up in the UAE.
Good to know
UAQ Free Zone questions, answered.
- How much does it cost to set up in Umm Al Quwain Free Zone?
- UAQ Free Trade Zone is one of the cheapest Free Zones in the UAE. The total depends on your license type, how many visas you need and whether you take a flexi-desk or a full office. The main costs are the license and registration, visas and immigration, and your office option. We confirm a fixed, all-in quote before you commit.
- Why choose Umm Al Quwain Free Zone?
- UAQ Free Trade Zone is known for low-cost packages, a wide range of permitted activities and a quick, flexible setup. A standout point is that it does not require an NOC, so you can form a company even while sponsored on another visa. For budget-conscious Entrepreneurs and freelancers, it is one of the most accessible routes into the UAE.
- Do I need an NOC to set up in UAQ Free Zone?
- No. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone does not require a no-objection certificate from a current employer or sponsor to register a company. That makes it a popular choice for people who already hold a UAE visa and want to start a business on the side, without disturbing their existing status.
- What license types does UAQ Free Trade Zone offer?
- UAQ FTZ issues commercial licenses for trading, service and consultancy licenses for professional work, industrial licenses for light manufacturing, freelancer permits for solo professionals, micro-business licenses for small starters and E-commerce licenses for online selling. We match the right license to your activity so you are neither over nor under-licensed.
- Does UAQ Free Zone give 100% ownership?
- Yes. UAQ Free Trade Zone lets you own your company 100% with no local sponsor, and you can repatriate all of your capital and profits with no currency restrictions.
- Can I set up a UAQ Free Zone company remotely?
- In most cases, yes. UAQ FTZ is known for quick, largely online setups. You can form the company and get your license without flying in, then complete your visa medical and Emirates ID once you arrive in the UAE.
- How many visas can I get with a UAQ Free Zone license?
- It depends on your package. UAQ Free Trade Zone offers tiered options, from a single visa on a small package to several on a larger office. We map your visa needs to the right package up front so you are not under-provisioned.
- Can a UAQ Free Zone company trade in the local UAE market?
- Free Zone companies trade freely internationally and within their zone. To sell directly to the local UAE market you usually appoint a distributor or open a Mainland branch. We explain the cleanest route for your activity.
- Is there a minimum share capital in UAQ Free Zone?
- UAQ Free Trade Zone sets a minimum share capital for the company, but you are not required to deposit it in a bank account at the registration stage. We confirm the figure and the structure that suits your activity before you begin.
- What facilities does UAQ Free Trade Zone offer?
- Sitting on the west coast by the port of Ahmed Bin Rashid, with quay frontage and industrial land, UAQ Free Trade Zone provides flexi-desks, offices, warehouses and land for trade and light industry. A flexi-desk keeps costs low for service and freelance work, while warehouses and land support trading and manufacturing. We match the facility to your activity and visa needs.
Maha BadrHighly recommended. A professional team, prompt on every detailed query and seamless on every requirement, trade license, corporate tax, bank account, residence ID, medical.
Largo HomeSimply impeccable. They didn't just meet deadlines, they anticipated them, with quick and effective solutions even in complex situations.
Maciej KolodziejczykVery efficient. Company formation, employment contract, residency visa, and all the prerequisites handled. Friendly and professional throughout.
Ready to incorporate
One advisor.From company formation to corporate banking.
A 30-minute consultation is all it takes to receive a tailored proposal, a transparent quotation, and a written roadmap delivered the same day. You will deal directly with an experienced advisor throughout the process.
- Response instantly
- Five languages spoken
- Independent. Not a license reseller.