Free Zone Comparison
AMC vs UAQ FTZ
Both sit below AED 6,000 for a zero-visa license — AMC at AED 4,999, UAQ FTZ at AED 5,500. The AED 501 gap barely registers. What matters: AMC's 1-visa Visionary package costs AED 13,999 all-in, while UAQ FTZ's START delivers the same at AED 12,500. That's AED 1,499 saved — roughly a month of health insurance. On the flip side, AMC lists six banking partners to UAQ FTZ's three, and processes licenses in half the time.
AMC
Ajman
AED 4,999
Year 1 from
CheaperUAQ FTZ
UAQ
AED 5,500
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
UAQ FTZ wins on 1-visa value. AMC wins on setup speed and banking options.
- ● Choose AMC if cost is your priority — AED 501 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose AMC if you need more visas — up to 10
- ● Choose AMC for faster setup — 3 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Banking tells the story here. AMC lists six partners: Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, Wio Bank, ADIB, and First Abu Dhabi Bank. UAQ FTZ has three: NBQ, Emirates Development Bank, and Wio Bank. For freelancers, Wio is the fastest path at either zone. But if RAKBANK or FAB is your preferred bank, AMC gives you a direct introduction UAQ FTZ doesn't. Both rate 'Moderate' on banking difficulty — expect 2–6 weeks regardless.
Setup speed favours AMC. Its 'One Click' licensing system processes licenses in 2–5 working days. UAQ FTZ matches on licensing but stretches to 1–3 weeks for end-to-end visa completion. AMC's packages explicitly bundle establishment card, medical, Emirates ID, and residency. UAQ FTZ's START is similarly all-inclusive at AED 12,500. The scaling difference: AMC supports up to 10 visas; UAQ FTZ caps at 4. If you plan to grow past 4 employees, AMC gives you room UAQ FTZ doesn't.
AMC vs UAQ FTZ at a Glance
| Metric | AMC | UAQ FTZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ajman | UAQ |
| Year 1 From | AED 4,999 🏆 | AED 5,500 |
| Renewal From | AED 4,999 🏆 | AED 5,500 |
| Rating | ★ 4.4/5 | ★ 4.4/5 |
| Max Visas | 10 🏆 | 4 |
| Processing Time | 3 days 🏆 | 10 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2018 | 1987 |
| Companies | 12,000+ | 10,000+ |
Year 1 From
AMC
AED 4,999
UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500
Renewal From
AMC
AED 4,999
UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500
Rating
AMC
4.4/5
UAQ FTZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
AMC
10
UAQ FTZ
4
Processing
AMC
3 days
UAQ FTZ
10 days
Banking
AMC
Moderate
UAQ FTZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
AMC Packages
Ajman · 4 packages
Business Club Package (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 4,999
Year 1
Renewal: AED 4,999/yr
Visionary Package (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 13,999
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,999/yr
Pioneer Package (2 Visas)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 19,999
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,999/yr
Prime Package (5 Visas)
Up to 5 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 39,999
Year 1
Renewal: AED 23,500/yr
UAQ FTZ Packages
UAQ · 4 packages
UAQFTZ LYTE (Zero-Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,500/yr
UAQ START All-Inclusive (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,500/yr
Startup 2-Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 22,724
Year 1
Renewal: AED 13,500/yr
Premium 4-Visa Package
Up to 4 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 48,798
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,500/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AMC | UAQ FTZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Not Required | Not Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose AMC if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want content creators
- ✓ Want digital agencies
- ✓ Want bootstrapped startups
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 501 less)
Choose UAQ FTZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want trading & import/export
Pros & Cons
AMC
Pros
- ✓ Extremely low entry pricing: Business Club (0 visa) is AED 4,999/year on AMC's official packages page
- ✓ Visa packages explicitly include establishment card, residency, medical, Emirates ID, status change, and e-channel registration
- ✓ Published renewal pricing: Visionary AED 8,999; Pioneer AED 10,999; Innovator AED 14,999; Prime AED 18,500
- ✓ Up to 10 shareholders per license and over 1,500+ licensed activities
Cons
- ✗ Add-ons (extra visas, activities, regulated approvals) can materially change totals beyond published package prices
- ✗ Medical and Emirates ID coverage boundaries not priced line-by-line — variance vs. agent quotes possible
- ✗ Banking can be challenging for low-substance setups — banks may request proof of operations and invoices
- ✗ Mainland onshore trading restricted without a mainland route-to-market or dual license
UAQ FTZ
Pros
- ✓ One of the cheapest UAE free zones with zero-visa packages from AED 5,500
- ✓ All-inclusive 1-visa package (UAQ START) at AED 12,500 includes license, visa, medical, Emirates ID, and co-working
- ✓ Official banking partners including NBQ, Emirates Development Bank, and Wio Bank
- ✓ Logistics-friendly location on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) near UAQ Port
Cons
- ✗ Pricing is promo-led and can vary by campaign eligibility and timing
- ✗ Visa quotas beyond 4 are not clearly published; higher quotas require office/warehouse leasing
- ✗ Industrial licenses require a physical office/warehouse, changing the cost structure
- ✗ Free zone license does not allow direct mainland UAE retail/trading without additional structure
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which zone is truly cheaper for Year 1 with one visa?
UAQ FTZ's START package is AED 12,500 all-inclusive. AMC's Visionary package totals AED 13,999 (AED 12,999 + AED 1,000 insurance). UAQ FTZ saves you AED 1,499 in Year 1.
How do renewal costs compare between AMC and UAQ FTZ?
AMC's Visionary renews at AED 9,999 (AED 8,999 + insurance). UAQ FTZ's START renews at AED 12,500. AMC saves AED 2,501 annually from Year 2 onward — a significant long-term advantage.
Can I scale past 4 visas at UAQ FTZ?
UAQ FTZ publicly lists packages up to 4 visas. Higher quotas aren't clearly published and may require office or warehouse leasing. AMC supports up to 10 visas across its package tiers.
Do either zone support general trading activities?
Both support trading. UAQ FTZ also allows dual licensing for combined free zone and mainland operations. AMC covers 1,500+ activities across trading, media, IT, and e-commerce.
Which is cheaper, AMC or UAQ FTZ?
AMC is cheaper by AED 501 in Year 1. AMC starts from AED 4,999 while UAQ FTZ starts from AED 5,500. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between AMC and UAQ FTZ?
AMC is based in Ajman and is best for Freelancers, Content Creators, Digital Agencies. UAQ FTZ is based in UAQ and is best for Startups, Freelancers, E-commerce. AMC starts from AED 4,999 while UAQ FTZ starts from AED 5,500.
Which has easier banking, AMC or UAQ FTZ?
Both AMC and UAQ FTZ are rated "Moderate" for banking difficulty, meaning there is no significant difference in how easily you can open a corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with AMC vs UAQ FTZ?
AMC supports up to 10 visas, while UAQ FTZ supports up to 4 visas. AMC offers more visa capacity.
Is AMC or UAQ FTZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose AMC if you want freelancers focus and lower costs. Choose UAQ FTZ if you need startups support and a UAQ address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.