Ajman FZ vs UAQ FTZ
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) (Ajman) or Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) (Umm Al Quwain)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose Ajman FZ for…
- A similar overall offer; the decision comes down to location and activity fit
- Popular with budget traders
- Popular with e-commerce sellers
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ), founded in 1988 beside Ajman Port, is one of the UAE's longest-running free zones and a popular low-cost choice. It suits budget traders, e-commerce sellers, service companies and small manufacturers who want offices, warehouses or factory units for less than Dubai. Licence-only packages are commonly quoted from about AED 5,500, while a first year with one visa usually lands around AED 20,000 to 26,000. Simple licences can be ready within a few working days.
Choose UAQ FTZ for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 103 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- More activities on one licence (up to 7)
- Popular with lowest-cost founders
- Popular with e-commerce and trading
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) is one of the UAE's oldest free zones and today one of its lowest-priced, licensing small traders, e-commerce sellers, consultants and freelancers. A no-visa licence is published from about AED 5,500 a year and a one-visa package from about AED 12,500, with monthly instalment plans offered. Licences are often issued within a few working days, and the zone sits between Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah on the coast road.
Ajman FZ vs UAQ FTZ side by side
| Ajman FZ | UAQ FTZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ajman | Umm Al Quwain |
| Packages from | AED 5,768 | AED 5,665 |
| Renewal from | AED 5,768 | AED 5,665 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~3 working days | ~3 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 5 | Up to 7 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office, Warehouse | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office, Warehouse |
| Activity areas | Trading, E-commerce, Consultancy, Industrial, Freelance, Logistics | Trading, E-commerce, Consultancy, Freelance, Media, Industrial |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | No |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 1988 | 2014 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
Ajman FZ in brief
Ajman Free Zone is often described only as cheap, which undersells it. Opened in 1988, it is among the oldest free zones in the country and sits on the waterfront next to Ajman Port, with a long history of trading houses, small factories and storage businesses. Its campus mixes office towers, warehouse rows and light-industrial units.
Strengths
- Long track record since 1988 and a large trading community.
- Low licence-only entry prices and often modest renewals.
- Warehouses and light-industrial units in the same zone as offices.
- Close to Ajman Port and major highways.
Watch out for
- No full public price list, so quotes vary widely.
- Ajman address may matter to some clients.
- Banks may ask more questions of small trading companies.
UAQ FTZ in brief
Umm Al Quwain is the smallest emirate by population, and its free zone grew from its port. An Emiri decree in 1987 created a free zone inside Ahmed Bin Rashid Port, and operations started the following year. A dedicated free trade zone authority was later set up under a 2014 emirate law, which is why some directories show 2014 as the founding date.
Strengths
- Some of the lowest published licence prices in the UAE
- Instalment plans reduce the cash needed at the start
- Several activities can sit on one licence
- Quick digital setup, often in a few days
Watch out for
- Lower prestige than Dubai or Abu Dhabi zones
- Low-cost licences face tougher bank checks
- Promotional prices may rise at renewal
Ajman FZ vs UAQ FTZ: common questions
Which is cheaper, Ajman FZ or UAQ FTZ?
On our current packages, UAQ FTZ starts lower at around AED 5,665, against AED 5,768 for Ajman FZ. Compare renewal too: Ajman FZ renews from about AED 5,768 and UAQ FTZ from about AED 5,665. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, Ajman FZ or UAQ FTZ?
Ajman FZ allows up to 6 visas, depending on the office you lease. Both zones allow a similar maximum, so the office type decides your real quota.
Which is faster to set up, Ajman FZ or UAQ FTZ?
Ajman FZ is typically quicker at around 3 working days for the licence once documents are complete. Visas take one to three more weeks in either zone.
Is a Ajman FZ licence valid for business in Umm Al Quwain?
A free zone licence lets you operate inside the free zone and trade internationally. To sell directly to customers on the UAE mainland you usually need a distributor, a mainland branch or the right activity approvals, whichever zone you choose.
Can I move my company from Ajman FZ to UAQ FTZ later?
Moving between free zones is possible but it is not a simple transfer. You normally register the new company or a branch in the other zone and then close or keep the old one, which means extra fees and visa paperwork. It is cheaper to pick the right zone at the start.
Ajman FZ or UAQ FTZ? Ask an advisor
Tell us about your business. An advisor will recommend the best free zone and send you a full cost breakdown — usually within one working hour.
- Honest advice across all free zones
- Full cost breakdown — no hidden fees
- Licence, visa, bank account and tax in one place