UAQ Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ)
UAQ Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) is the SME-friendly free zone in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, positioned off the E11 corridor with quick access to Dubai, Sharjah and RAK. Total license cost depends on activity, visa quota and facility (desk, office, warehouse), but UAQ FTZ is known for competitive fees and fast processing for clean files. Existing Umm Al Quwain trade licenses can be checked online through the relevant authority portal by license number or trade name.
Starting from: AED 5,750 - 18,000 for year one
Why choose UAQ Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ)?
- Low-friction setup with predictable packages for solo founders and small teams.
- Cost-effective base for import-export, online retail and B2B services.
- Scalable facilities and visa quotas as the team grows.
How much does a UAQ Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) licence cost?
A licence here typically runs AED 5,750 - 18,000 for year one. The licence is normally issued in 3 - 7 working days once documents are ready, and entry package tiers carry 0 - 7 visas. The low end is a single-activity licence with no staff visas; the high end reflects extra activities, a dedicated office or a higher visa quota.
Consistently among the cheapest per-visa costs in the country.
Estimate. Indicative market range for planning, not confirmed with the authority. Check current figures before you apply.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence (year one) | AED 5,750 - 18,000 | Varies with activity count and facility |
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off per company, required before any visa |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee |
| Annual licence renewal | 85 - 100% of year-one fee | Excludes one-off formation items |
Indicative ranges for planning, not a quote. Zone packages and government fees change — confirm current figures with the authority before you apply.
How many visas do you get?
Quota follows the facility you take, not the licence itself.
| What you lease | Typical visa quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licence only (zero-visa) | 0 | Trade licence with no residency for anyone |
| Flexi desk / smart desk | 1 - 6 | Set by the package tier you buy, not by the activity |
| Dedicated office (15 - 25 sqm) | 4 - 8 | First step up when a flexi desk runs out of quota |
| Larger office or warehouse | about 1 per 9 sqm | Subject to the zone approving the allocation |
Full detail, including how to increase your allocation: free zone visa quota explained.
Licence types available
- Commercial (Trading)
- Professional / Services
- Industrial / Light Manufacturing
- Logistics & Warehousing
- E-commerce add-on (where applicable)
How to set up, step by step
- Confirm activity and visa needs; reserve company name
- Submit application + KYC; settle initial authority fees
- License issued with corporate documents
- Lease desk/office/warehouse; sign facility agreement
- Open bank account; apply for establishment card and visas
Documents you need
- Passport copy & recent photo (shareholders/managers)
- UAE entry stamp/visa page (if applicable)
- UAE residents: NOC from current sponsor (if required)
- KYC forms; short business profile or plan for certain activities
Popular activities
- General trading & import-export
- Online store / e-commerce fulfillment
- Consultancy and professional services
- Light assembly and packaging
- 3PL, storage and distribution
Related guides
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Last updated: October 2026
General information, not advice. Fees, packages and visa quotas are set by the free zone authority and change without notice — confirm current terms before applying.