Quick Answer: RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) company formation costs AED 6,000–15,000 in 2026, making it one of the UAE’s lower-cost free zones. A zero-visa license starts from AED 6,000/year; a 1-visa package from AED 9,200. Setup takes 3–7 business days. RAKEZ is ideal for trading, manufacturing, and services businesses seeking low-cost UAE formation with scalable visa quotas.
RAKEZ — Key Facts at a Glance (2026)
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Zero-Visa License | From AED 6,000/year |
| 1-Visa Package | AED 9,200 – 12,000 |
| Visa Quota | 1–200+ (scalable with facility size) |
| License Types | Commercial, Service, Industrial, Educational |
| Setup Time | 3 – 7 business days |
| Minimum Share Capital | No minimum (most activities) |
| Office Requirement | Virtual office, flexi-desk, or physical unit |
| Location | Ras Al Khaimah (approx. 40 min from Dubai) |
| Warehouse / Industrial | Available from AED 15,000/year |
| Corporate Tax | 0% (qualifying free zone entity) |
How to Set Up a Company in RAKEZ — Step by Step (2026)
- Choose your business zone — RAKEZ has Academic Zone, Business Zone, Industrial Zone, and Innovation Zone.
- Select company type — FZ-LLC (1 or more shareholders) or Branch of a foreign company.
- Apply online or via agent — Submit on the RAKEZ portal. Processing begins within 24 hours.
- Choose facility type — Virtual office (from AED 1,200/year), smart desk, standard office, or warehouse (from AED 15,000/year).
- Pay license fee — From AED 6,000 for zero-visa; from AED 9,200 for a 1-visa bundle.
- Receive trade license — Issued within 3–7 business days of full document submission.
- Apply for investor/employee visas — Each visa costs AED 3,000–4,500 including medical, Emirates ID, and stamping.
- Open a UAE bank account — RAKEZ license accepted at Mashreq, Emirates NBD, RAK Bank, and other UAE banks.
Why Choose a RAK Free Zone?
- Lowest cost in UAE: RAKEZ packages start from AED 5,500 — among the cheapest in the country.
- No paid-up capital requirement for most business activities.
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation.
- 45 minutes from Dubai — accessible for daily business trips.
- 23,000+ companies from 100+ countries already operating in RAKEZ.
- Dedicated industry clusters — academic, industrial, logistics, and technology zones.
RAK Free Zones — Complete List
1. RAKEZ — Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
RAKEZ is RAK’s flagship free zone and one of the largest multi-purpose economic zones in the UAE. Formed from the merger of RAK Free Trade Zone and RAK Investment Authority, RAKEZ serves over 23,000 businesses across 50+ industries. It offers academic zones, industrial parks, business parks, and Al Hamra and Al Ghail industrial hubs with purpose-built facilities for every type of business.
Key Facts: Setup from AED 5,500 | 23,000+ companies | 50+ industries | Ideal for: startups, SMEs, e-commerce, trading, freelancers, manufacturing
2. RAK Innovation City Freezone
RAK Innovation City (formerly RAK Digital Assets Oasis) is RAK’s dedicated free zone for digital assets, Web3, blockchain, and technology innovation. It is the only free zone in the UAE specifically designed to support virtual asset service providers (VASPs), cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain companies, and digital innovation businesses under a clear and supportive regulatory framework.
Key Facts: Blockchain & Web3 focused | Virtual asset licensing available | Regulatory clarity | Ideal for: crypto, blockchain, Web3, digital assets, NFTs, DeFi companies
3. RAK Maritime City
RAK Maritime City is a dedicated maritime and shipping free zone located on the Gulf of Oman coast. It provides quayside plots, drydock facilities, ship repair yards, and warehousing for maritime-related businesses. RAK Maritime City is ideal for shipbuilding, offshore support vessels, maritime services, and port-related logistics.
Key Facts: Quayside plots available | Ship repair & drydock | Gulf of Oman access | Ideal for: shipbuilding, maritime services, offshore, port logistics
4. RAKICC — RAK International Corporate Centre
RAKICC is RAK’s international business company (IBC) and offshore company registry. It is one of the most recognised offshore corporate registries in the Middle East, offering offshore holding companies, international business companies, and special purpose vehicles (SPVs) for asset protection, international trading, and tax-efficient corporate structuring.
Key Facts: Offshore company from AED 3,500 | No physical presence required | International recognition | Ideal for: holding companies, asset protection, international trade, SPVs
RAK Free Zone Cost Comparison 2026
| Free Zone | Starting Cost | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ | AED 5,500+ | All industries | Lowest cost in UAE |
| RAK Innovation City | AED 10,000+ | Crypto & Web3 | Virtual asset licensing |
| RAK Maritime City | AED 12,000+ | Maritime & Shipping | Quayside access |
| RAKICC | AED 3,500+ | Offshore & Holding | No physical presence needed |
Frequently Asked Questions — RAK Free Zones
What is the low-cost free zone in RAK?
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) offers the cheapest packages starting from AED 5,500 for a zero-visa e-commerce or service license — making it one of the lower-cost free zones in the entire UAE. RAKICC offshore company registration starts even lower at AED 3,500.
Is RAK free zone good for e-commerce businesses?
Yes. RAKEZ is highly popular for e-commerce businesses due to its low setup cost (from AED 5,500), e-commerce license category, ability to sell globally, and proximity to Dubai’s logistics infrastructure. Many UAE-based e-commerce entrepreneurs choose RAKEZ to minimise overheads while maintaining full legal compliance.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through RAKEZ?
Yes. RAKEZ company owners can obtain UAE investor/partner visas, and RAKEZ companies can sponsor employee and dependent visas. The number of visas depends on the office size and license type selected. Zero-visa packages are available for those who only need the company license without a residence visa.