We offer you Umm Al Quwain free zone company registration service. You can also register a branch of an existing company in this zone.
The founder can register a company without a personal visit to the UAE. However, it is possible if you have already visited the Emirates before (even as a tourist). You need to provide a passport scan with the UAE entry stamp for confirmation.
Umm Al Quwain free zone company will be a UAE resident. This means that you will be able to obtain UAE residence visas and a tax residency certificate.
Benefits of the company registration in Umm Al Quwain free trade zone
Umm Al Quwain free zone was established in 1987. Its original name was Ahmed Bin Rashid Port and Free Zone. In 2014, the Ruler of Umm Al Quwain changed it to Umm Al Quwain (UAQ FTZ).
Where is UAQ free trade zone located?
The free zone is located in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain, UAE. The distance from it to the Dubai business center is only 45 km. However, it is possible to drive it without traffic jams only in the early morning or after 10 pm. To avoid traffic jams, you can also use a helicopter. Although so far, we have not seen such principled people, except royal family members.
Main benefits of Umm Al Quwain free zone company
The zone allows foreign investors to own 100% of company shares. Thus, you will be able to manage the company and receive all the profits fully.
Umm Al Quwain free zone company is a UAE resident. This makes it possible to obtain residence visas for company employees and members of their families. Thus, the company will be able to hire foreign employees and obtain visas for them to come and live in the Emirates.
The number of available visas directly depends on the license type and the size of the leased premises.
Since a free zone company is a UAE tax resident, its owner will also be able to obtain a UAE tax residency certificate. But if you are interested in UAE tax residence by investment into real estate, click here.
Another important advantage is the absence of corporate and personal income taxes. The company owner is also not limited to capital repatriation and profit transfers.
We offer to open a bank account in one of the UAE banks along with the company registration. Working with such a bank account, the entrepreneur will not face currency restrictions, which is very important for doing international business.
The company will be able to export and import goods from other countries to the free zone territory without customs duties.
One free zone company can have up to 50 owners.
There is no need to pay and confirm the authorized capital.
To open a company, its manager and director are not required to have UAE residence visas.
Free zone administration assists entrepreneurs in doing business in Umm Al Quwain
Free zone administration makes a lot of efforts to simplify and speed up companies’ registration process as much as possible. In addition, it provides clients with professional support at all stages of registration and work.
The administration considers investors as its partners and seeks to establish individual interactions with them.
UAQ FTZ main achievement is the possibility of quick company registration with a minimum set of documents and fewer procedures, but without compromising compliance standards.
Entrepreneurs, especially industrial and manufacturing companies, will be able to save much on registration and support services. Here, warehouse and office space rental cost is significantly lower than in other UAE zones.
Umm Al Quwain free trade zone is the most favorable for small and medium businesses. Its infrastructure is also suitable for companies operating in high-tech business areas.
Currently, technology companies hold the lead in the number of registrations in this free zone. These are, for example, IT companies, back offices, and research and development centers. However, there are quite a few free offices here, and without an office, a company can get only up to three visas.
So far, there is only one building in this zone. However, UAQ FTZ authorities are planning to create shopping centers, a hospital, a school, a hotel, an exhibition, and a conference center in the future.
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Benefits of UAQ free trade zone location for doing business
This free zone location benefits open up a wide range of opportunities for its clients. Umm Al Quwain free zone gives companies close access to more than two billion potential buyers from many countries. These are China, India, Saudi Arabia, and other markets.
The Emirate of Umm Al Quwain has Ahmed Bin Rashid Port, located 15 kilometers away from the free zone administration. This port provides special privileges for free zone companies. Also, companies can use the port of Jebel Ali in Dubai or other ports and airports in the UAE. The distance to Jebel Ali is approximately 90 km, to Dubai International Airport – 45 km, and to Sharjah International Airport – 30 km.
Offices, warehouses, land plots for rent in Umm Al Quwain free trade zone
Umm Al Quwain free zone offers office spaces, warehouses, and land plots for rent. Moreover, you can build your own object on the land plot according to the zone administration.
Office spaces for rent range from desk options to large offices. When renting a real office space, the company has to ensure at least one employee presence in the office eight hours a day, five days a week.
The area of warehouses for rent starts from 100 square meters. The administration will provide you with office space, a storage room and a washroom, along with the warehouse. Such warehouses are suitable for storing products or for the light industry. All warehouses have electricity and water supply.
The area of land plots for rent starts from 2,500 square meters. The rental term is 25 years with the possibility of renewal. The plots are provided with electricity and water supply too.
Also, it is possible to rent accommodation for employees in this free zone.
Features of Umm Al Quwain free zone company registration
All companies and branches in this free zone operate according to its administrative rules.
What company types are available in Umm Al Quwain free zone?
Umm Al Quwain free zone rules provide three company types available for registration:
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE) is a company with one owner. This can be an individual or a legal entity.
- Free Zone Company (FZC) is a company with two or more owners (up to 50). They also can be individuals or legal entities.
- Branch of an existing company. It can be a branch of both a foreign company and a UAE company.
Business licenses available for Umm Al Quwain free zone company
A company must obtain a license to conduct any activity. Moreover, it needs a separate license for each activity type. One free zone company can have several licenses at the same time (for example, commercial and trading licenses).
The main license types in Umm Al Quwain free trade zone are:
- Commercial license has two subtypes:
- Commercial license for certain product types. Such a license permits the import, export, distribution, and storage of the products listed in it. It can contain ten similar product types or three different product types.
- General trading license. Such a license authorizes trading in all goods allowed in Umm Al Quwain free zone.
- Consulting license. This license type is suitable for a company that plans to provide professional and expert consulting services. Under this license, it will be possible to conduct two similar types of activities.
- Freelance license. This permit allows the entrepreneur to work as a freelancer. Moreover, you will be able to conduct business on your own behalf and not on behalf of a company or brand. This license will suit artists and those who plan to work in technology, content production, and media fields. To obtain such a license, you have to provide letters of recommendation from your clients and a portfolio of your works.
- Service license. This license is suitable for certified professionals. With its help, they will be able to provide certain types of services on the free zone territory (for example, courier services, logistics services, travel and excursion services, and car rental).
License rules in UAQ free trade zone
All licenses are valid only on Umm Al Quwain free zone territory. Therefore, the company will not be able to operate outside the zone using these licenses.
Only an agent or distributor with a license from the relevant UAE authorities can provide services and sell goods within the UAE (outside the free zone).
The company can only carry out the activities specified in the license. The free zone rules strictly prohibit any other activity and provide penalties for violations.
The company can change its activity type to another one. However, it is prohibited to start a new activity until the free zone administration approves a new activity type and issues a new license.
Licenses are valid for at least 12 months from the date of issue. To renew your license, you have to apply for it and sign a new office lease agreement.
It is possible to get a license in just 1-2 business days.
Opening a bank account for a company in Umm Al Quwain free trade zone
Umm Al Quwain free zone companies can open a bank account in the UAE (in any other emirate) or abroad.
Office requirements for Umm Al Quwain free zone companies
Each free zone company must have an office within the zone. Only a freelance license does not require renting an office.
To reduce costs, you can rent not an office but a Flexi-desk in a business center inside the zone.
Conducting business in Umm Al Quwain free zone
Umm Al Quwain free zone companies can conduct business within the zone, in the UAE domestic market, and internationally.
Business in the UAE domestic market
Umm Al Quwain zone companies can sell goods in the Emirates domestic market using local trader services. In addition, service companies can provide services to other UAE companies in the free zone territory.
Business inside Umm Al Quwain free zone
When transporting goods into or out of the free zone, it is necessary to provide documentation that meets its administration requirements.
You can import any foreign goods, regardless of their origin into the free zone, without any taxes and customs duties. Also, you can export any goods outside the GCC countries or to other UAE free zones without any taxes and customs duties.
All goods exported from the free zone to the UAE interior are considered foreign goods. Moreover, this rule applies to local raw materials or products for which you have already paid taxes before their import into the free zone. Such goods are subject to customs duties.
All goods exported from the free zone to the GCC countries are subject to customs duties too.
International business
Umm Al Quwain free zone companies are eligible to participate in international trade. They can manufacture their own goods and store them in a warehouse for re-export. There are no customs duties for such operations.
Umm Al Quwain companies can use the ports and airports of Dubai to ship goods. However, to obtain an import code, it will be necessary to register the company at Dubai Customs. In this case, you get the benefits of Dubai ports service without extra costs. For example, registration and operation costs of Umm Al Quwain free zone company will be 2-3 times lower than they would be in Jebel Ali free zone.
Process of the company registration in Umm Al Quwain zone
Before registering a company, you must select an activity type for which you plan to obtain a license. Our experts will help you determine an activity type correctly (this is important since a mistake will lead to additional costs for purchasing a new license).
Next, you need to decide how many residence visas you need. The minimum is one or two visas. To obtain more visas, it is necessary to have a large office size in the free zone.
The minimum company authorized capital is AED 300,000 (USD 81,750). You have to indicate the capital size in the constituent documents. But it is not required to pay or demonstrate this capital in any way during registration or later.
Umm Al Quwain free zone company registration cost
- Company registration and maintenance costs consist of three parts:
- One-time payment for name reservation and registration.
- Office, warehouse, or land plot rental cost.
- Annual license fee (depends on the license type).
Service cost
| Service | Price |
| Our assistance fee for Umm Al Quwain free zone company registration | From USD 2,200 (AED 8,000) |
| Additional fee for a branch or subsidiary registration | USD 822 (AED 3,000) |
| Our assistance fee for company annual renewal | USD 1,100 (AED 4,000) |
| Our assistance fee for constituent documents amending | USD 1,370 (AED 5,000) |
| Our assistance fee for company closure | USD 2,740 (AED 10,000) |
| Company registration fee | USD 545 (AED 2,000) |
| License for one trading activity type | USD 682 (AED 2,500) |
| General trading license | USD 2,590 (AED 9,500) |
| Freelance license | USD 682 (AED 2,500) |
| Consulting license | USD 682 (AED 2,500) |
| Address for freelance license for 1 year | USD 2,460 (AED 9,000) |
| Minimum office (flexi-desk) for 1 year | USD 4,360 (AED 16,000) |
| Land plot lease for 1 square meter per year | From USD 5 (AED 18) |
Documents required for UAQ FTZ company registration
Documents required for FZE and FZC registration:
- Application.
- Passport color copies of company owners and managers (including the page with the UAE entry stamp).
- Sample signatures of company owners and managers.
- Other identity documents copies (internal passport, ID, etc.) of company owners and managers.
- Company owners and managers address confirmation (this could be utility bills, bank statements, driver’s licenses, etc.).
- Articles and Memorandum of Association. The free zone provides samples for them.
- 2 color photos on a white background of each company owner and manager.
If the company has a corporate owner, then the following documents are required:
- Passport color copy of the parent company manager.
- Parent company manager’s address confirmation (this could be utility bills, bank statements, driver’s licenses, etc.).
- Ultimate beneficial owners’ declaration.
- Parent company Articles and Memorandum of Association (legalized).
- Parent company Certificate of incorporation (legalized).
- Parent company Board Decision and power of attorney (legalized).
The UAE embassy or consulate in the parent company’s country of incorporation and then the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs have to legalize and attest the corporate documents.
Documents required for a branch registration:
- Application.
- Passport color copy of the company manager.
- Ultimate beneficial owners’ declaration.
- Manager’s address confirmation (this could be utility bills, bank statements, driver’s licenses, etc.).
- Manager’s passport size color photo.
- Parent company Articles and Memorandum of Association (legalized).
- Parent company Certificate of incorporation (legalized).
- Parent company Board Decision and power of attorney (legalized).
- Parent company licenses (legalized).
The UAE embassy or consulate in the parent company’s country of incorporation and then the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs have to legalize and attest the corporate documents.
Company registration procedure in Umm Al Quwain free trade zone
- First, you need to prepare all the required documents.
- Recent utility bill or bank statement showing your residential address will suit for address confirmation.
- Our specialists will inform you whether chosen activity type is allowed for licensing and whether any additional permission is required.
- You have to provide three different business name options and basic information about the director, manager, and owners.
- You select an office space for rent within the free zone.
- The Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association preparing.
- After applying, free zone authorities will approve one business name, and you will receive pre-approval.
- After that, you will need to pay the procedure’s full cost.
How to start Umm Al Quwain free zone company registration process?
To start the registration process, please contact our experts at info@offshore-pro.info, and you will receive professional assistance on company formation.
Then you will need to pay the fee for our assistance in Umm Al Quwain zone company registration.
You can do it by bank card, bank transaction, via WebMoney or Western Union systems, or using cryptocurrencies.
The cost of this service starts from 8000 USD.
This amount does not include rental cost, government fees, and any additional services cost.
Immediately after payment, we begin to collect the documents necessary for the company registration.
The average time for a company formation is five business days.
