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UAQ Free Trade Zone is Umm Al Quwain’s free zone, about 45 minutes from Dubai, and it competes on price with the cheapest zones in the country. What it advertises today is an all-inclusive setup at AED 2,266 per month and a freelance permit with visa at AED 1,818 per month – monthly framings, not annual price lists. This page sets out what the zone publishes, what it does not, and how it compares. Checked on uaqftz.gov.ae on 8 August 2026; note the zone moved to a .gov.ae domain, and its old uaqftz.com address redirects there.
| Advertised package | Price |
|---|---|
| All Inclusive | AED 2,266 / month |
| Freelance Permit + Visa | AED 1,818 / month |
Source: UAQ Free Trade Zone, checked 8 August 2026. The zone frames both offers monthly. Twelve months of the all-inclusive framing is about AED 27,000; whether the contract is billed monthly or annually, and what exactly “all inclusive” includes, is a quotation question – get it in writing.
Licence types and activity rules
| Licence | Activity rule |
|---|---|
| Commercial | up to 10 similar or 3 different activity categories |
| Consultancy / service | up to 2 activities |
| Freelance permit | up to 2 activities |
| Industrial | manufacturing and processing |
The catalogue holds over 1,500 activities, and dual licensing is available within the same entity. Source: UAQ FTZ, licences and entities, checked 8 August 2026. Ten similar activities on one commercial licence is generous – SPC allows five mixed, Meydan three groups.
Entity types and capital
| Fact | What UAQ FTZ states |
|---|---|
| FZE | single shareholder |
| FZC | 2 to 50 shareholders |
| Branch | of an existing company |
| Minimum share capital | AED 300,000, AED 1,000 per share |
| Proof of capital | not required – the zone states no proof of start-up capital is needed |
| Licence validity | one year minimum, multi-year options |
The AED 300,000 is declared capital, not money you deposit and freeze: the zone itself says no proof is required. Do not let the number scare you off the comparison shortlist.
What UAQ FTZ does not publish
| Item | Status as of 8 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Per-licence annual prices | not on the public pages – quoted on request |
| Visa allocation and visa fees | not published |
| Renewal cost | not published |
| Office and flexi-desk upgrade prices | not published |
| What the all-inclusive package itemises | not broken down publicly |
The pattern is the same as at most cheap zones: an advertised entry number and a quotation for everything else. Compare UAQ against the other budget options in the cheapest free zones guide before asking for quotes, and ask every zone the same three questions: total first-year cost with your visa count, renewal cost, and what happens to the price in year three.
Consultant coverage in this directory
From the Emirae directory, measured 8 August 2026.
| Measure | Count |
|---|---|
| Active consultants in the directory | 70 |
| Declare UAQ FTZ specifically | none yet – the zone is not among the declared specialisations |
| Cover the emirate of Umm Al Quwain | 13 |
| Handle company formation | 43 |
Stated plainly rather than hidden: no consultant in this directory currently lists UAQ FTZ as a declared zone, which mirrors how founders use it – direct with the zone, or through generalist formation firms. Thirteen firms cover the emirate and 43 handle company formation; several of those quote UAQ setups on request.
UAQ quotes by the month, which reads cheaper than it works out over twelve. The annualised comparison against every other zone is in UAE free zone company setup cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a UAQ free zone licence cost?
UAQ FTZ advertises an all-inclusive setup at AED 2,266 per month and a freelance permit with visa at AED 1,818 per month (uaqftz.gov.ae, checked 8 August 2026). Per-licence annual prices are quoted on request.
How many activities can one UAQ licence hold?
A commercial licence covers up to 10 similar or 3 different activity categories; consultancy, service and freelance permits cover up to 2 activities. The catalogue exceeds 1,500 activities.
What entity types does UAQ FTZ register?
FZE with a single shareholder, FZC with 2 to 50 shareholders, and branches of existing companies.
Do I need to deposit AED 300,000 capital?
AED 300,000 is the stated minimum share capital, but the zone says no proof of start-up capital is required – it is declared, not deposited.
Does UAQ Free Zone offer visas?
Yes – the advertised freelance package includes a visa, and company packages carry visa options. Per-visa fees are not published; they come with the quotation.
What does renewal cost at UAQ FTZ?
Not published as of 8 August 2026. Ask for the renewal figure in writing before paying the first year.
How far is UAQ Free Zone from Dubai?
Umm Al Quwain is roughly 45 to 60 minutes from Dubai by road. Companies serve Dubai clients from UAQ, but a Dubai address needs a Dubai licence.
Is uaqftz.com the official website?
It redirects to uaqftz.gov.ae, which is the official domain now.
Want UAQ quoted against SPC and Ajman for your case? Describe your case and compare offers from consultants.
Official references used for context in this article.
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