DET: 6201001 Low Risk
Software Development & IT Services
Flexi-Desk eligible
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ)
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) is a strategic, investor-friendly economic hub offering low setup costs, straightforward regulations, and quick remote company formation.
✓ 2–4 day license turnaround✓ Digital Bank 98% Approval✓ No Annual Audit
1. Key Freezone Specifications
- Licensing Authority
- Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) (UAQFTZ)
- Emirate
- UMM_AL_QUWAIN
- License Issuance Timeline
- 2–4 working days
- Residence Visa Timeline
- 5–12 working days
- Virtual Desk / Flexi-Desk
- Available (no lease required)
- Office Threshold
- Required only for 4+ visas
- Warehouses & Industrial Units
- Available on-site
- Paid-Up Share Capital
- Not required on bank deposit (0 AED)
- Annual Audit Requirement
- Exempt / Not required
- Physical Presence Required
- 100% remote company incorporation. 1-day UAE visit required only for Emirates ID biometrics.
2. Cost Breakdown & Tariffs
No Hidden Fees| Cost Item | Purpose | Official Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Company Trade License | Corporate registration & 1-year Flexi desk lease | 5,500 AED |
| Establishment Card (Immigration Card) | Company immigration file registration with GDRFA/ICP for visas | 1,800 AED |
| Residence Visa (Entry Permit + Visa Stamping) | UAE 2-year residence visa government quota & approval | ~3,300 AED / visa |
| VIP Medical & Emirates ID | VIP Medical fitness test + Emirates ID card issuance (2 yrs) | ~1,200 AED / person |
Turnkey Package Estimates:
0 Visas
5,500 AED
Pure license for tax residency or remote contracts
1 Investor Visa
11,800 AED
License + Est. Card + 1 Visa + VIP Medical & EID
2 Residence Visas
16,300 AED
For 2 partners or founder + key employee
3. Banking Assessment & Onboarding
Digital Banking (Digital Bank) Standard
Tier 2: Standard digital compliance review
- • Timeline: opened in 3–7 working days
- • Multi-currency accounts (AED, USD, EUR, GBP) with zero minimum balance
- • Automated KYC verification via official freezone API
Traditional Tier-1 UAE Banks Medium Rating
Emirates NBD, Mashreq, FAB, ADCB
- • Opening timeline: from 1 weeks
- • Requires personal banker meeting and proof of residential address
- • Typical average balance requirement: 25,000–50,000 AED
4. Pros & Considerations
✓ Key Advantages
- • Cost-effective business setup with minimal bureaucracy
- • No requirement to submit an annual audit report
- • Fast company formation process with 100% remote processing
- • Suitable for micro-businesses, freelancers, and global trade intermediaries
! Important Considerations
- • Traditional bank onboarding requires solid invoicing and proof of clients
- • Smaller local market presence compared to Dubai or Abu Dhabi
5. Compatible Activities
Top business activities approved for licensing under Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ)
DET: 7020005 Low Risk
Management Consultancy
Flexi-Desk eligible
DET: 4791001 Low Risk
E-Commerce & Online Retail
Flexi-Desk eligible
DET: 4690001 Medium Risk
General Trading
Flexi-Desk eligible
DET: 6920001 Low Risk
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Flexi-Desk eligible
Looking for another activity? Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) supports over 2,000 commercial and professional activities from the official DET classification. Contact us via WhatsApp for a tailored activity code confirmation.
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