Establish a Company in Umm Al Quwain

The Umm Al Quwain Free Zone is the newest free zone in the United Arab Emirates and started operating last year. The Umm Al Quwain Free Zone is located close to the Dubai Airport and even closer to Sharjah in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain. Foreign investors wanting to open a company in Umm Al Quwain will be interested in finding out they will benefit from the same legal status and facilities as in any other UAE free zone. Foreign businessmen can fully own a company in the Umm Al Quwain Free Zone. A company registered in Umm Al Quwain may use the Dubai seaports and airports, if it is registered with the Dubai customs.

Business licenses in Umm Al Quwain

The Umm Al Quwain Free Zone Authority provides three types of business licenses for companies, but also for single professionals. Also, it is possible to establish a company in Umm Al Quwain through the services of company formation experts in Dubai. Foreign businessmen setting up a company in Umm Al Quwain may apply for one of the following business licenses:

  • A trading activities or commercial license
  • A general trading activities license which is popular among foreign investors
  • A consultancy or premium consultancy license

Foreign individuals wanting to set up a sole trader or carry out freelance activities may apply for a micro business license, respectively for a freelancer permit.

Large companies wanting to expand their business in Umm Al Quwain may apply for an industrial license.

Setting up a company in Umm Al Quwain

Enterprisers may very easily open a free zone company in Umm Al Quwain because it does not require appointing a resident director or applying for a residence visa. Foreign companies may also establish branches or subsidiaries in Umm Al Quwain provided that they subscribe a minimum share capital of 300,000 AED (approximately 82,000 USD). The company registration procedure is quite simple if the following documents are submitted:

  • The owner’s passport copy
  • Proof of residency of the owner
  • Three chosen business names
  • The Company’s memorandum and articles of association
  • Registration fee
  • The company must also open a corporate bank account with a Dubai bank and, once the documents are processed, a certificate of incorporation will be issued.

For details about company registration fees, please contact our specialists in Dubai.