Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone
The UAE's most budget-friendly free zone — trading and services from as little as AED 4,000/year.
Emirate
Umm Al Quwain
Est.
1988
Cost/Year
AED 4,000 – 10,000 / year
Setup Time
2–5 working days
Visas
Visa allocation available
Office
Virtual office and flexi-desk available
About UAQFTZ
UAQ Free Trade Zone (UAQFTZ), established in 1988 in Umm Al Quwain — the UAE's smallest and least populated emirate — offers the lowest-cost free zone business setup in the country. While its remote location and limited infrastructure make it less suited for businesses requiring physical UAE presence or premium credentials, it is a legitimate, government-backed free zone that provides a cost-effective option for international businesses wanting a UAE entity for banking or contractual purposes.
Ideal for
International businesses seeking a low-cost UAE entity for invoicing or contractual purposes, solo entrepreneurs with minimal overhead requirements, and businesses where UAE address prestige is not critical.
Pros & Considerations
Advantages
- Lowest-cost UAE free zone — from AED 4,000/year
- Legitimate UAE entity for international contracts and banking
- 100% foreign ownership, zero tax
- Fast and simple setup process
Watch out for
- UAQ is very remote — 90 minutes from Dubai
- Least prestigious UAE address
- Banking significantly more difficult than Dubai-registered entities
- Very limited local business ecosystem
- Not recommended for companies with UAE client-facing operations
Licence Types
Popular Business Activities
Permitted activities vary — we confirm your specific activity before registration.
Setup Process
Activity & Package Selection
Simple package selection — commercial, service, or trading.
Document Upload
Passport copy and basic details.
Payment
Fees paid. Lowest cost in the UAE.
Licence Issuance
Licence issued within 2–5 days.
Banking
Digital bank account setup — traditional banking requires additional effort.
Cost Breakdown
| Licence fee (annual) | AED 4,000 – 10,000 / year |
| Registration / one-time fees | AED 2,000–5,000 (one-time) |
| Visa cost (per person) | AED 3,500–5,500 |
| Emirates ID (per person) | AED 370 |
| Medical test (per person) | AED 300–600 |
| goCorp service feeIncluded | Advisory — get a quote |
| Bank account setup | Advisory — get a quote |
Lowest cost of any UAE free zone. Package is basic but legitimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Started
Set up in UAQFTZ today
Free consultation, full quote, and end-to-end formation support. Typical timeline: 2–5 working days.
Get a free quote Talk to an expertQuick Specs
Emirate
Umm Al Quwain
Founded
1988
Setup Timeline
2–5 working days
Annual Cost
AED 4,000 – 10,000 / year
Visa Allocation
Visa allocation available. UAQ's isolation makes UAE residency less practical unless based in northern UAE.
Office Requirement
Virtual office and flexi-desk available. Physical offices in UAQ are inexpensive.
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