Umm Al Quwain Free Zone – Attractive Hidden Benefits

With its easy-going vibe, aquatic bird-filled lagoon and rich archaeological heritage, the northern emirate of Umm Al Quwain is a far cry from the global metropolis of Dubai. Yet, whilst it might not have the tallest buildings or biggest malls, Umm Al Quwain has emerged as home to one of the most attractive free zones in the UAE. Established in 2014, the Umm Al Quwain (or simply, UAQ) Free Zone has all the features of other UAE free zones, such as 100% ownership, however it’s more functional benefits differ slightly from the more popular free zones in Dubai. One of the most popular reasons people are now choosing UAQ is the ease with which you can set up a business, having the option to apply for a diverse array of licenses, covering everything from travel to technology and manufacturing. Additionally, the UAQ Free Zone does not require business owners to provide any share capital, attest for shareholders or even submit a business plan. There is also significantly less paperwork involved, meaning that the entire process is quick and relatively painless – the incorporation process takes under a week and can be done remotely. This means that you can think of setting up a business on Sunday and actually do so before the following weekend. Depending on which one of the many attractive licenses you opt for, you wouldn’t even have to leave your home country to incorporate your business either. This last feature of the UAQ Free Zone makes it ideal for businesses who want to skip visa processing times and fees and especially for those who don’t need to be physically present in order to trade (e.g. freelancers). However, for those who do want to visit the emirate, UAQ is less than an hour’s drive from Dubai airport and thanks to the fantastic road links and a fully-fledged port, it is easy to trade with the rest of the world. Quick, straightforward and cost-effective, the UAQ Free Zone is steadily becoming the destination of choice for SMEs and individual entrepreneurs.