Start a UAE company with a licence and investor visa in one package, or lease warehouses and land for a larger operation. PROXPAT prepares the UAQ FTZ application and the visa steps.
Page last updated: . Requirements, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authority and can change.
UAQ Free Trade Zone Company Formation
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) is a free zone in Umm Al Quwain, about 30 minutes from Dubai according to the zone. It says more than 11,000 businesses from more than 150 nationalities have set up there, choosing from over 1,500 business options.
UAQ FTZ is best known for its all-inclusive UAQ Start package, which bundles a licence with an investor visa, and for offering offices, warehouses and industrial land. The facts below come from UAQ FTZ's own website and package pages.
PROXPAT helps you choose between the package and a tailored setup, confirm activity classification, and complete the medical, Emirates ID and visa steps that need you in person.
UAQ FTZ at a Glance
| Topic | What UAQ FTZ publishes |
|---|---|
| Location | Umm Al Quwain, about 30 minutes from Dubai |
| Community | More than 11,000 businesses from more than 150 nationalities |
| Business options | More than 1,500 |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership, with no local sponsor required |
| Licence types | Commercial, industrial, and service or consultancy |
| Facilities | Office space, warehouses (including pay-per-day options) and industrial land leases of up to 25 years |
Licence Types
| Licence | What UAQ FTZ says it covers |
|---|---|
| Commercial licence | Purchase and sale of goods in the UAE or outside |
| Industrial licence | Manufacturing, processing and production activities |
| Service or consultancy licence | Expert or professional advisory services |
UAQ FTZ also markets a freelance permit with a visa.
The UAQ Start Package
| Topic | What UAQ FTZ publishes |
|---|---|
| Price | AED 12,500, presented as all-inclusive |
| Licence | Business licence with up to 10 business activities |
| Visa and residency | One UAE investor visa, Emirates ID, mandatory medical fitness test and basic medical insurance |
| Workspace | Co-working space with a lease agreement |
| Banking | Bank account opening assistance |
| Licence issuance | One working day once documents and payment are complete |
| Shareholders | Up to 5, or 50 where applicable |
| Renewal | Renewal at the same package cost for standard renewals |
| Conditions | Subject to activity classification, documents and UAQ FTZ approval; physical presence needed for the medical test, biometrics and visa stamping |
Package changes, additional visas, activity amendments and new services may be charged separately. Visa and Emirates ID timelines are set by UAE authorities.
Monthly and Starter Pricing
| Offer | Published price |
|---|---|
| All-inclusive package | AED 2,266 per month |
| Freelance permit with visa | AED 1,818 per month |
| Consultancy setup | From AED 5,500 |
Monthly figures are a way of presenting the cost, so confirm the payment terms, contract length and what is included before comparing them with annual packages elsewhere.
Warehouses and Industrial Land
- Office spaces for companies that need more than a co-working desk.
- Warehouses, including pay-per-day arrangements for flexible storage.
- Industrial land on leases of up to 25 years.
Industrial activities may need approvals beyond the licence. See government approvals.
UAQ Start Compared With Other Entry Packages
| Zone and package | Price | Visa included? | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAQ FTZ, UAQ Start | AED 12,500 | Yes, one investor visa with Emirates ID and medical | This page |
| RAKEZ, Lite | AED 12,000 | Yes, one residence visa | RAKEZ guide |
| Meydan Free Zone, base setup | From AED 12,500 | No visa allocation | Meydan guide |
| Hamriyah Free Zone, basic licence | AED 11,000 | Depends on facility | Hamriyah guide |
| SPC Free Zone, pay-as-you-go | AED 6,875 | No | SPC guide |
Compare what each price includes, not just the headline. Our business setup cost calculator estimates the full first year.
Before You Commit
- Confirm your activities are classified as eligible for the package.
- Check that the co-working space fits your visa plans for the next year.
- Plan a trip for the medical test, biometrics and visa stamping.
- Budget for extra visas or amendments, which may cost more than the package.
- Remember that standard renewals stay at the package cost, but changes may not.
How PROXPAT Helps
Package or tailored setup comparison
Activity classification check
Shareholder and application documents
UAQ FTZ application and licence
Medical, Emirates ID and visa scheduling
Bank account file preparation
Additional visas and amendments
Renewals
Frequently Asked Questions
Start lean in the northern emirates.
Explore connected PROXPAT services that support the same client journey.
The licence is the start of the government work, not the end of it
Once the trade licence is issued, the sequence that actually lets you operate begins: the establishment card, the MOHRE and immigration files, your employee quota, then employee visas and work permits. After that it repeats every year — renewals, cancellations when people leave, and licence renewal and amendments.
Companies that would rather not build that function in-house put it on a monthly PRO retainer from AED 700, or use it per transaction. Government fees stay separate and itemised either way.
The first six months after incorporation
- Establishment card issued through immigration
- MOHRE file opened and e-signature completed
- Employee quota checked before hiring
- Offer letters, work permits and entry permits
- Medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping
- Corporate tax and VAT registration where they apply
More in Setup by Emirate
- Dubai Mainland
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Ras Al Khaimah (RAKEZ)
- Umm Al Quwain (UAQ FTZ)
Set Up Your Company in UAQ Free Trade Zone
PROXPAT checks your activities against the package, prepares the UAQ FTZ application and schedules the medical, Emirates ID and visa steps.