FREE ZONE · UMM AL QUWAIN · UAE
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAE): Licenses, Costs & Activities (2026)
- Activity combinations
- 345 42 of 52 clusters
- Median package
- from AED 13,500* market benchmark
- Price range
- AED 5,370 – 13,500* min–max in snapshot
- Setup time
- 3–10 days fastest → slowest filed
About UAQ FTZ
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) accounts for 345 license combinations in the September 2026 snapshot, spread over 42 of the 52 activity clusters tracked on the platform. The strongest cluster here is General Trading with 50 packages, followed by Industrial Equipment & Machinery Trading (40 packages).
Entry packages start at AED 5,370*, the median combination runs from AED 13,500*, and the fullest configurations in the catalog reach AED 13,500*. Filed setup timelines range from 3 to 10 days depending on the activity mix, visa quota and office option.
UAQ FTZ is Umm Al Quwain's free trade zone — the smallest of the northern emirates, known for low entry prices and flexible packages. This guide breaks the zone down by activity: the strongest clusters below, then the visa, establishment-card and bank-account steps that come bundled with Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone licenses — all figures from the same market snapshot.
Fit check
Who is UAQ FTZ best for?
- Traders: general trading, machinery, building materials and vehicles dominate the catalog
- Light industry and contracting businesses seeking flexible packages
- Companies that want a low entry point in the northern emirates
- Distributors working the Al Ittihad Road corridor between Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah
Verdict
Pros & cons
Pros
- Trading depth: General Trading is the largest cluster with 50 packages tracked
- Known for low entry pricing and flexible packages
- Filed timelines of 3 to 10 days, one of the shorter ranges in the snapshot
- A smaller emirate means lower operating overheads than Dubai
Cons
- Umm Al Quwain is the UAE's smallest emirate, with a limited local market
- Fewer media and digital clusters, so creative businesses fit other zones better
- A free-zone licence restricts direct onshore UAE sales
- Client-facing Dubai work still means regular trips up the corridor
Activities
Top activity clusters at UAQ FTZ
| Activity cluster | Packages at UAQ FTZ | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| General Trading | 50 | from AED 13,500* |
| Industrial Equipment & Machinery Trading | 40 | from AED 13,500* |
| Building Materials Trading | 30 | from AED 13,500* |
| Auto Parts & Accessories Trading | 26 | from AED 13,500* |
| Clothing, Footwear & Textiles Trading | 23 | from AED 13,500* |
| Furniture & Home Goods Trading | 20 | from AED 13,500* |
| Cars & Vehicles Trading | 13 | from AED 13,500* |
| Construction & Contracting | 12 | from AED 13,500* |
* Market reference as of September 2026, exact quote on request. Market data, Sep 2026.
Visas & banking
Visa, establishment-card and bank steps at UAQ FTZ
- Scope tagging
- 1% visa / 0% bank share of packages tagging visa / bank steps
- Establishment card
- 68% of the catalog 3,161 packages platform-wide include the step
- Corporate bank account
- 61% of the catalog 2,840 packages platform-wide include the step
- Investor visa
- 44% of the catalog 2,047 packages platform-wide include the step
- Head office address
- One UAQ, Al Shmookh Business Center, Al Ittihad Road, Umm Al Quwain
The typical UAQ FTZ sequence files the license, then the establishment card, then residence visas and the corporate bank account — the same order the platform's catalog records across Umm Al Quwain jurisdictions.
FAQ
UAQ FTZ: questions
How much does an UAQ FTZ license cost in 2026?
In the September 2026 snapshot, 345 combinations are tracked, starting from AED 5,370*. The median package runs from AED 13,500* and the range stretches to AED 13,500*. The spread reflects activity type, visa quota and office option. Every figure on this page is a market reference; the exact quote is confirmed on request.
How long does company setup at UAQ FTZ take?
Filed packages at UAQ FTZ complete in 3 to 10 days in the snapshot. License-only setups sit near the fast end; adding establishment card, residence visas and bank account moves the timeline toward the upper bound because banking KYC runs on the bank's schedule.
Which activities can an UAQ FTZ license cover?
The catalog maps 345 UAQ FTZ combinations onto 42 activity clusters. The strongest are General Trading; Industrial Equipment & Machinery Trading; Building Materials Trading. Each cluster in the table above links to the cross-zone license breakdown for that activity.
Where is UAQ FTZ located and who is it for?
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone is based in Umm Al Quwain — Umm Al Quwain's free trade zone — the smallest of the northern emirates, known for low entry prices and flexible packages. As a free zone jurisdiction it suits founders who need that licensing regime specifically; the free-zone-vs-mainland comparison on this site covers when a free zone beats the mainland and vice versa.
Where is UAQ FTZ located?
The authority is headquartered at One UAQ, Al Shmookh Business Center, Al Ittihad Road, Umm Al Quwain. License applications are submitted to this authority — online or at its customer service desk, depending on the license type.
Which authority issues licenses in UAQ FTZ?
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (Umm Al Quwain emirate) is the issuing authority. Its September 2026 catalog tracks 345 activity combinations, with entry packages from AED 5,370*.
Related breakdowns
Setting up in UAQ FTZ?
We match the license package to your activity and visa plan — priced against the same market snapshot shown above.