Free Zone Comparison
UAQ FTZ vs AFZ 2026
AED 5,500 versus AED 5,555 — a difference of AED 55 that means nothing. What matters: UAQ FTZ is newer and leaner. Ajman Free Zone has 38 years of credibility and smoother banking relationships. If opening a corporate bank account worries you, Ajman's track record is worth more than AED 55.
By Daniel Harmon, Senior Editor
UAQ FTZ
UAQ
AED 5,500
Year 1 from
CheaperAFZ
Ajman
AED 5,555
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
- ● Choose UAQ FTZ if cost is your priority — AED 55 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose AFZ if you need more visas — up to 10
- ● Choose AFZ for faster setup — 5 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
UAQ FTZ's AED 5,500 and Ajman Free Zone's AED 5,555 are the two cheapest zero-visa licenses in the UAE — separated by AED 55. With one visa, the gap inverts: UAQ FTZ's START package totals AED 12,500 all-inclusive, while Ajman's 1-visa package runs AED 13,451. UAQ FTZ saves AED 951 — roughly a month of basic health insurance.
The structural differences matter more than the price. Ajman Free Zone has operated since 1988 with 25,000 companies — a 38-year track record that banks recognise. UAQ FTZ, established in 1987, counts 10,000 registrations. Ajman processes visas in 4 days — among the fastest in the UAE. UAQ FTZ takes 10. Ajman partners with five banks (Mashreq, RAKBANK, ruya, Ajman Bank, Emirates Development Bank); UAQ FTZ partners with three (NBQ, Emirates Development Bank, Wio). Neither zone requires annual audits. Ajman covers 3,500+ activities; UAQ FTZ offers a narrower but sufficient range. For visa speed and banking breadth, Ajman's AED 55 premium is a non-issue.
UAQ FTZ vs AFZ at a Glance
| Metric | UAQ FTZ | AFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | UAQ | Ajman |
| Year 1 From | AED 5,500 🏆 | AED 5,555 |
| Renewal From | AED 5,500 🏆 | AED 5,555 |
| Rating | ★ 4.4/5 | ★ 4.4/5 |
| Max Visas | 4 | 10 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 10 days | 5 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 1987 | 1988 |
| Companies | 10,000+ | 20,000+ |
Year 1 From
UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500
AFZ
AED 5,555
Renewal From
UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500
AFZ
AED 5,555
Rating
UAQ FTZ
4.4/5
AFZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
UAQ FTZ
4
AFZ
10
Processing
UAQ FTZ
10 days
AFZ
5 days
Banking
UAQ FTZ
Moderate
AFZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
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
AFZ Packages
Ajman · 4 packages
Starter No Visa Package
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,555
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,555/yr
Starter 1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 13,159
Year 1
Renewal: AED 7,759/yr
Growth 2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 17,713
Year 1
Renewal: AED 8,113/yr
Team 3 Visa Package
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 22,267
Year 1
Renewal: AED 8,467/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | UAQ FTZ | AFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Not Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose UAQ FTZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want trading & import/export
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 55 less)
Choose AFZ if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want trading smes
- ✓ Want cost-sensitive startups
- ✓ Want light manufacturing
Pros & Cons
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
AFZ
Pros
- ✓ Official AFZ marketing for the e-commerce package starts at AED 5,555, and Virtuzone lists the same AFZ starting price, keeping AFZ among the cheapest mainstream UAE free zones.
- ✓ AFZ publicly advertises 3,500+ activities, which is broader than many low-cost free zones and useful if you need multiple activities on one license.
- ✓ Setup is genuinely fast for simple cases: multiple 2026 consultancies put license issuance at about 1–3 business days or 2–5 working days, and AFZ runs a fully digital customer portal and One-Click flow.
- ✓ Flexi/co-working formats make entry easier: market tables commonly show virtual/flexi packages for 0, 1, 2, and 3 visas, while AFZ’s freelancer hub officially allows up to 2 visas and family sponsorship.
Cons
- ✗ Public data transparency is uneven. AFZ has a cost calculator, but it does not publish a simple official 2026 package table, so buyers still depend on quotes, consultants, or portal flows to see full costs.
- ✗ Banking is easier than in some small northern-emirate setups because AFZ has partners, but it is still the longest step in practice; 2026 market sources commonly say 2–4 weeks after license issuance, with more friction for higher-risk profiles.
- ✗ Visa-related charges are not cleanly standardized in the market. Recent sources disagree on what is bundled, what excludes health insurance, and whether establishment/e-channel/security items are quoted separately.
- ✗ AFZ’s own FAQ says e-commerce license holders must add a different import/export activity or different license if they want to import goods, so the cheapest e-commerce package is not the same thing as a full trading/import setup.
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 is cheaper, UAQ FTZ or AFZ?
UAQ FTZ is cheaper by AED 55 in Year 1. UAQ FTZ starts from AED 5,500 while AFZ starts from AED 5,555. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between UAQ FTZ and AFZ?
UAQ FTZ is based in UAQ and is best for Startups, Freelancers, E-commerce. AFZ is based in Ajman and is best for Freelancers, E-commerce, Trading SMEs. UAQ FTZ starts from AED 5,500 while AFZ starts from AED 5,555.
Which has easier banking, UAQ FTZ or AFZ?
Both UAQ FTZ and AFZ 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 UAQ FTZ vs AFZ?
UAQ FTZ supports up to 4 visas, while AFZ supports up to 10 visas. AFZ offers more visa capacity.
Is UAQ FTZ or AFZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose UAQ FTZ if you want startups focus and lower costs. Choose AFZ if you need freelancers support and a Ajman address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.
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