Company Registration in UAQ Free Zone, Umm Al Quwain, with licence and visa support

What is the UAQ Free Zone?

The Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) was established in 1987 and is one of the UAE’s longer-standing free zones. It licenses companies in Umm Al Quwain, an emirate north of Sharjah and Ajman, and offers 100% foreign ownership.

The zone offers commercial, service and industrial licences, with workspace that ranges from a flexi desk to warehouses and land.

Who should choose UAQ?

UAQ suits businesses that want a UAE licence at a sensible cost. It works well for traders, small manufacturers, consultants, e-commerce sellers and holding structures that do not need a prime Dubai address.

• Startups with tight budgets
• Import and export traders needing storage
• Light industry and fabrication
• Online and service businesses working with overseas clients

UAQ licence types and business activities

UAQ FTZ issues commercial, service and industrial licences. Commercial licences cover trading, service licences cover professional and consulting work, and industrial licences cover manufacturing and processing. Several related activities can often be combined on one licence, subject to the zone’s rules.

Regulated activities need approval from an outside body before the licence is issued, so we check approvals at the start.

Workspace: flexi desk, office, warehouse and land

A flexi desk gives you a registered address and desk access with little commitment. Offices, warehouses and land are available when your business needs them. Choose the lightest option that satisfies the licence and visa rules.

Ownership and legal structure for a UAQ company

UAQ FTZ companies are free zone companies, either single owner or multi-shareholder. Foreign individuals and companies can hold 100% of the shares. Corporate shareholders provide attested constitutional documents and a list of directors.

UAQ licence cost and setup fees: what to plan for

UAQ is known for affordable packages, but your real cost depends on the licence, activities, workspace, visas and approvals. Vendor price lists differ and change, so we confirm the current figures with the zone and give you a written quote with each charge shown separately.

Corporate tax, QFZP and VAT for a UAQ company

A UAQ company must register for UAE corporate tax. A qualifying free zone person can pay 0% on qualifying income if it meets conditions such as adequate substance, and 9% applies to other income above AED 375,000.

VAT is 5%. Registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies and voluntary from AED 187,500.

Selling to UAE customers from UAQ

A free zone licence covers operations inside the zone and international trade. To serve UAE customers directly you usually need a distributor, a mainland partner or specific permission. If most customers are in the UAE, compare a mainland licence first. If most customers are in Dubai, read our guide to company registration in Dubai, or compare the IFZA Free Zone and RAK Free Zone.

UAQ visa and corporate bank account

A UAQ company can sponsor an investor visa and staff visas, depending on the package and workspace. Bank accounts follow compliance checks that differ by bank. We prepare your documents and introduce suitable banks.

Common mistakes to avoid

A planning call avoids most of these.

• Choosing a low-cost package with too few visas
• Expecting to sell directly to UAE customers from a free zone
• Skipping corporate tax registration
• Missing renewal dates

Last reviewed 26 October 2026 by the BizSetups Consulting team. Sources: UAQ Free Trade Zone, UAE Federal Tax Authority, UAE Government portal. Fees, timelines and rules change, so confirm the current position before you commit.