Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Company Setup with DubaiSetupNow
Launching Your Business in Dubai is Simplified with Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Want an affordable, flexible, and stress-free way to establish your business in the UAE? Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) is one of the most small-business friendly free zones in the Emirates. UAQ FTZ is known for 100% foreign ownership, 0% tax income, quick company registration, and some incredible low-cost license packages! UAQ FTZ is also ideally located between Dubai and Sharjah, just off major highways and close to seaports and airports making it an ideal location to establish a new company, SME, digital business or international trading business! Whether you are a freelancer, consultant, trading company, or business launching a tech-based business, UAQ FTZ offers an abundance of license types, office solutions, and visa opportunities to support your operational requirements. There are simplified procedures, very little documentation, and full-service comments and support for your residency visa, banking needs, and local compliance matters. With the help of DubaiSetupNow, we make the entire setup journey fast, legal, and hassle-free!
From first inquiry to operational launch, we are your one-stop setup partner.
Business-friendly environment
Why Choose Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ)?
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) is one of the most cost-effective and business-friendly free zones in the UAE. It is popular with most entrepreneurs, as it boasts very streamlined processes, over 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and many other business-friendly initiatives, and provides an accessible and low-cost opportunity for start-ups, SMEs, and aspiring international entrepreneurs alike. UAQ FTZ provides many structures for alternatives to starting a business.
We have many options for starting a consultancy, a trading business, a digital agency, and there are literally no barriers to starting your business under the same structure many world-class companies are using. UAQ FTZ has great global connectivity and is very well positioned because we have great direct access to major highways and seaports, while being in close proximity to world-class cities such Dubai and Sharjah, all with low operation costs.
Company Formation Services at UAQ FTZ
At Dubaisetupnow, we offer comprehensive company formation services specific to the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone. Our purpose is to make the setup process fast, compliant, and painless, regardless of the size or nature of your business.
We help you tackle every significant step, including:
- Initial consultation and selection of business activity to confirm with UAQ FTZ permittable categories
- Company name approval and licence applications processed quickly through our direct management with the Free Zone authority
- Document preparation and submission, including passport copies, plans of business, and other requirement docx
- Immigration card and establishment registration set to start using company legally
- Visa allocation and stamping of business owners and staff
- Post-registration compliances, VAT advisory, and assistance with bank account opening
Whether you’re a freelancer or a team of 10+, we help you register your UAQ company quickly, legally, and affordably.
Licensing Options in UAQ Free Zone
UAQ FTZ offers a variety of licenses across different sectors including:
- Commercial License – for general trading, retail, and import/export businesses,
- Industrial License – for manufacturing, production, and storage businesses
- Consultancy License – for business consultants, marketing consultants, legal consultants, etc.
- Service License – for a wide variety of B2B and B2C services,
- Freelance Permit – for individuals and remote professionals,
- Dual License option – for combining Free Zone benefits and access to the Mainland.
Facilities & Infrastructure in UAQ FTZ
UAQ Free Zone provides scalable infrastructure to meet the requirements of every size business:
- Office Space for Rent – Flexible rental agreements with plug-and-play set up
- Executive Offices – Prestige office space for productive team and investor meetings
- Co-Working Spaces – Affordable shared workspace for freelancers and startups
- Warehouses – Units purposely built to help with logistics, storage, and production
- Industrial Land for lease – Land opportunities for longer leases for larger facilities
- Logistics Hub – Great infrastructure provision for import/export or freight forwarding companies
Tax & Ownership Benefits in UAQ Free Zone
- 100% foreign ownership – No need for a local Emirati partner
- 0% personal and corporate tax – Full profit retention
- Repatriation of capital and profits – Move money freely
- No currency restrictions – Ideal for global transactions
- VAT registration assistance – Stay fully compliant with UAE tax laws
These benefits make UAQ FTZ a preferred destination for entrepreneurs seeking cost-efficient operations with global reach.
Visa & Immigration Services
DubaiSetupNow helps you manage every aspect of visa requirements in UAQ FTZ:
- Investor and partner visas
- Employment visas for staff
- Family sponsorship support
- Emirates ID, medical testing, and visa stamping
- End-to-end PRO services
- Renewal and compliance tracking
Whether you’re launching solo or expanding your team, we handle all immigration formalities.
Post-Licensing & Support Services
With DubaiSetupNow, you don’t just get a license — you get long-term support:
- Company branding and profile creation
- Website and digital tools setup
- VAT registration and bookkeeping
- Legal document support and drafting
- Corporate bank account assistance
- License renewal and compliance monitoring
Approved Business Activities in UAQ FTZ
The Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone is an attractive option for business owners across all industries because a variety of business activities are approved. And whether you plan to start a physical goods business, an online consultancy, or a tech start-up, UAQ FTZ can provide the legal framework and flexibility you need to achieve your vision. Popular and in-demand business activities include:
General Trading, Import-Export
Manufacturing and Light Industrial
Management Consultancy, Marketing Consultancy
Creative Media, Production
General Trading, Import-Export
Manufacturing and Light Industrial
Management Consultancy, Marketing Consultancy
Creative Media, Production
At Dubaisetupnow, we’ll help you identify the most suitable activity, in light of your professional goals, visa requirements, and future growth plans — while keeping you compliant with UAQ FTZ regulations.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
The usual time to register a company in Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone is 3-5 working days, assuming the documentation is not missing and submitted correctly. Dubai Setup Now will help ensure your paperwork is pre-checked, errors are not made, and follow up approvals to expedite the process.
Yes, you will. UAQ FTZ has a range of visa packages according to the type of license and workspace you choose. You can apply for investor visas, employee visas, and family sponsorship visas. Dubai Setup Now will take you from beginning to end in applying for and stamping the visa(s) - immigration card to Emirates ID.
UAQ Free Zone is likely one of the best value and most friendly zones for freelancers and self-employed individuals. UAQ has a dedicated freelancer permit, with very little documentation and widely affordable annual fees. This is for freelancers of all stripes, from media professionals to consultants, designer, developers and all other types of service providers.
A full-time physical office is not required. UAQ FTZ offers flexi-desk, shared workspace, and virtual packages in addition to other types of office licenses that require full time performance of specific work. All of the office packages offer access to a legal business address without requiring a long-term financial commitment to a high office rent, and will also qualify for visa quotas.
Yes. UAQ FTZ will satisfy virtually any type of commercial trading licenses, including: general trading, and trading of specific products. It does not matter if you are trading in electronics, textile, food items, or industrial materials, you will be able to import, export and distribute the product legally, and moreover, you will have complete customs support as well as reports and accounting services.
Companies registered in UAQ FTZ benefit from 0% personal and corporate income tax, 100% foreign ownership, and complete repatriation of profits and capital. As if that is not good enough, UAQ FTZ companies are also exempt from import/export duties within the Free Zone, which is perfect for trading and global e-commerce activities.
Yes, and it is usually one of the first things our clients do after approval of their license. Once we receive your license we will:
- Assist you to prepare the correct documentation
- Arrange your bank meeting
- Guide you through KYC and AML processes
When we assist you in setting up your UAE corporate bank account, the process is smooth and stress free.
Generally, no. For most small to mid-sized businesses in UAQ FTZ, audit is not a requirement. This will save your business on the operating cost and compliance, as well. For select sectors like finance or larger corporate structures, Dubai Setup Now can assist with audit ready bookkeeping services, as required.
Yes. There are many businesses in UAQ FTZ that solely serve clients around the world, or operate with a full online presence. You are allowed to run a global e-commerce store, or an online consultancy internationally or even a holding company for offshore activity, all legally registered in UAQ FTZ.
Ready to Launch Your Business in UAQ Free Zone?
Low-cost setup, full ownership, and quick approvals — all in one place.With Dubai Setup Now, you get end-to-end support: license, visas, office, and banking — done for you.Start remotely and operate legally in one of the UAE’s most flexible free zones.
Let our experts guide your business launch —
Contact us today to get started.
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