Free Zone Comparison
HFZA vs UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500 versus AED 12,000 for a zero-visa license — UAQ FTZ undercuts HFZA by AED 6,500, enough to cover a full visa. On the flip side, HFZA scales to 50 visas with industrial land, warehouses, and direct port access that UAQ FTZ simply doesn't offer. If you're importing containers, HFZA's infrastructure wins. If you're a lean e-commerce trader, UAQ FTZ delivers at half the entry price.
HFZA
Sharjah
AED 12,000
Year 1 from
UAQ FTZ
UAQ
AED 5,500
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
Go HFZA for industrial scale and port access. Go UAQ FTZ for lean trading under AED 13,000.
- ● Choose UAQ FTZ if cost is your priority — AED 6,500 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose HFZA if you need more visas — up to 50
- ● Choose UAQ FTZ for overall quality — rated 4.4/5
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
The cost gap is real but deceptive at scale. UAQ FTZ's LYTE package starts at AED 5,500 (0 visa) and the START all-inclusive 1-visa hits AED 12,500. HFZA's entry is AED 12,000 (0 visa) and AED 15,785 with 1 visa — plus AED 150,000 in share capital UAQ FTZ doesn't demand. HFZA mandates annual audited accounts; UAQ FTZ does not. For a solo consultant, these ongoing costs tilt the math toward UAQ FTZ. But HFZA's investor visa runs AED 9,125 versus UAQ FTZ's AED 3,537 — important if you're the company owner.
Ecosystem is where HFZA justifies its pricing. It hosts 6,500+ businesses anchored around specialised parks: Food Park, Oil & Gas Zone, Global Logistics Park, and Maritime Industry. HFZA ranked second globally in the 2024 Global Free Zone of the Year awards. UAQ FTZ counts 10,000+ registrations but lacks the industrial clustering — no dedicated manufacturing parks or port-adjacent warehousing. If you need a 2,500 sqm industrial plot or energy-sector adjacency, HFZA is the only realistic option.
HFZA vs UAQ FTZ at a Glance
| Metric | HFZA | UAQ FTZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | UAQ |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,000 | AED 5,500 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,000 | AED 5,500 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 4.0/5 | ★ 4.4/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 50 🏆 | 4 |
| Processing Time | 10 days | 10 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 1995 | 1987 |
| Companies | 6,500+ | 10,000+ |
Year 1 From
HFZA
AED 12,000
UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500
Renewal From
HFZA
AED 12,000
UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500
Rating
HFZA
4.0/5
UAQ FTZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
HFZA
50
UAQ FTZ
4
Processing
HFZA
10 days
UAQ FTZ
10 days
Banking
HFZA
Moderate
UAQ FTZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
HFZA Packages
Sharjah · 4 packages
Business Center Package 1 (Zero-Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,000/yr
Business Center Package 1 (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 15,785
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,000/yr
4-Visa Office Package (2 Visas Processed)
Up to 2 visas · Private Office
AED 23,870
Year 1
Renewal: AED 16,300/yr
General Trading 7-Visa Package
Up to 7 visas · Private Office
AED 58,995
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,500/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 | HFZA | UAQ FTZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Not Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose HFZA if you...
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want industrial & heavy industry
- ✓ Want logistics
- ✓ Want warehousing
- ✓ Want import/export trading
Choose UAQ FTZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want trading & import/export
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 6,500 less)
Pros & Cons
HFZA
Pros
- ✓ Entry package from AED 11,000/year with 1-visa provision — competitive for industrial zones
- ✓ Scalable visa tiers: e-office packages from AED 20,000–35,000/year with up to 7 visas
- ✓ Industrial facilities: warehouses from AED 85,000–150,000 with office space included
- ✓ Industrial land plots starting from 2,500 sq m for manufacturing and assembly
Cons
- ✗ Published package prices exclude visa-related costs and P.O. box (~AED 1,000/year) — budget accordingly
- ✗ Package pricing can differ across brokers; always confirm directly with HFZA
- ✗ Sharjah location lacks the prestige of a Dubai address for client-facing businesses
- ✗ Industrial/regulated sectors may require additional approvals and inspections
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
Does HFZA require share capital that UAQ FTZ waives?
Yes. HFZA lists AED 150,000 share capital (varies by legal form and activity). UAQ FTZ has no published minimum for standard packages — a major cash-flow difference at setup.
Which zone is better for warehouse operations?
HFZA. It offers warehouses from AED 85,000/year with port access and industrial land from 2,500 sqm. UAQ FTZ focuses on lighter office-based setups with co-working spaces.
Do both zones require annual audits?
HFZA requires annual audited financial statements for renewal. UAQ FTZ does not for many license types — reducing your ongoing compliance costs and admin overhead.
How many visas can each zone support?
HFZA scales to 50 visas with warehouse and industrial facilities. UAQ FTZ caps at 4 visas in its published packages. If you need a team larger than 4, HFZA is the only viable option.
Which is cheaper, HFZA or UAQ FTZ?
UAQ FTZ is cheaper by AED 6,500 in Year 1. UAQ FTZ starts from AED 5,500 while HFZA starts from AED 12,000. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between HFZA and UAQ FTZ?
HFZA is based in Sharjah and is best for Manufacturing, Industrial & Heavy Industry, Logistics. UAQ FTZ is based in UAQ and is best for Startups, Freelancers, E-commerce. HFZA starts from AED 12,000 while UAQ FTZ starts from AED 5,500.
Which has easier banking, HFZA or UAQ FTZ?
Both HFZA 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 HFZA vs UAQ FTZ?
HFZA supports up to 50 visas, while UAQ FTZ supports up to 4 visas. HFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is HFZA or UAQ FTZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose HFZA if you want manufacturing focus and a Sharjah address. Choose UAQ FTZ if you need startups support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.