Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone
RAKEZ Company Setup 2026 | Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone Guide
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone company setup guidance with licensing, visa, office, renewal, banking readiness and post-incorporation support.
At a glance
Quick Answer
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) offers free zone licences from AED 6,000 (Biz Starter package) or AED 14,000 a year (all-inclusive SME package with one residence visa), per RAKEZ's own promotional pages, for standard service and trading activities, with industrial, warehouse and manufacturing options available at different rates. Located in Ras Al Khaimah with strong logistics infrastructure, RAKEZ supports 100% foreign ownership, UAE residence visas and a wide activity list. Always request a current written quote for your specific activity and package.
Last reviewed: June 2026. Reviewed by: UAE Free Zone Finder setup team. Important disclaimer: fees, visa costs and package inclusions change regularly. Verify all pricing directly with RAKEZ or request a written quote before committing.
Planning your budget? See the worked RAKEZ 3-year total cost example — year 1 licence, visa and office costs plus years 2–3 renewals, built from this guide’s published figures with assumptions stated.
RAKEZ Company Setup 2026
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is a major UAE free zone authority formed by the merger of RAK Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) and RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA). RAKEZ serves a broad range of business types — from small service companies and consultants to mid-size trading firms, manufacturers and industrial operators. Its location in Ras Al Khaimah provides competitive pricing compared to Dubai free zones while maintaining strong UAE logistics access.
At a Glance — RAKEZ 2026
| Item | Planning Range or Note |
|---|---|
| Service/consulting licence (first year) | AED 6,000 (Biz Starter, coworking) or AED 14,000 a year (SME package including one residence visa) per RAKEZ promotional pages; other licences quoted by RAKEZ |
| Trading licence (first year) | Quoted by RAKEZ by activity; its SME package (AED 14,000 a year) is listed for general trading and commercial activities |
| Industrial/warehouse (first year) | Priced by RAKEZ by area and facility type; no price list published |
| First-year total (incl. establishment card + 1 visa) | AED 14,000 for the all-inclusive SME package with one residence visa (RAKEZ); up to three extra visas at AED 4,000 each |
| Visa quota | 0–3 (flexi-desk); higher with dedicated desk or office |
| Licence issuance timeline | Often 3–7 business days for standard applications |
| Full setup including visa | Typically 3–5 weeks including establishment card, medical, Emirates ID and stamping |
| Corporate tax (qualifying income) | 0% may apply if company qualifies as a QFZP; 9% may apply otherwise. Seek tax advice. |
Source: RAKEZ Biz Starter package and RAKEZ SME business set-up package, checked 21 Oct 2026. Biz Starter AED 6,000 (coworking membership, up to 10 activities; licence type, visa and validity not stated); SME package AED 14,000 a year including one residence visa. Both are promotional packages with terms and conditions. Indicative only; confirm with the zone. How we source prices.
Key Features of RAKEZ
RAKEZ is structured around several distinct zones and industrial parks, offering a range of facility types that other free zones may not provide:
- 100% foreign ownership — no UAE national partner required for free zone companies.
- Broad activity coverage — services, trading, manufacturing, industrial, warehousing, media, technology, education and more.
- Multiple facility types — flexi-desk, shared office, dedicated office, warehouse units, factory units and land plots for industrial operators.
- UAE residence visas — investor, partner and employee visas available based on package type and visa quota.
- Logistics infrastructure — proximity to RAK Port, RAK Airport, and access to the E311 highway connecting to Dubai and other emirates.
- Competitive cost structure — generally lower first-year costs than comparable Dubai free zones for equivalent activity types.
Suitable Activities at RAKEZ
RAKEZ covers a wide range of business categories. Commonly licensed activities include: general trading, import/export, professional and consulting services, technology and IT, manufacturing and light industrial, construction-related services, media and marketing, education and training, tourism and hospitality, healthcare support, logistics and freight forwarding, and real estate services. Regulated financial services require additional approvals.
Company Structures Available
- Free Zone Company (FZC) — 2 to 50 shareholders (individuals or corporate).
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE) — single shareholder (individual or corporate).
- Branch of a UAE company — branch registration for existing UAE entities.
- Branch of a foreign company — branch registration for overseas entities.
Documents Commonly Needed
- Shareholder passport copy (minimum 6 months validity) and recent passport photograph.
- Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement, within 3 months).
- UAE visa or entry stamp where applicable.
- Business activity description or brief business plan.
- Corporate shareholder documents if a company is a shareholder (certificate of incorporation, MOA, register of directors — typically notarised and attested).
- Proposed company name options (3 preferred).
Step-by-Step Process
- Select business activity, company structure, facility type and visa package.
- Submit application via the RAKEZ online portal or through a registered agent.
- Receive initial approval and fee payment notice.
- Pay fees and submit final documents for licence issuance.
- Receive trade licence and company formation documents.
- Apply for establishment card and investor/employee visas.
- Complete visa stamping, medical fitness test and Emirates ID registration.
- Begin corporate bank account opening preparation.
Banking and Tax Caveats
RAKEZ is widely accepted by UAE banks for corporate account opening, though approval always depends on the individual bank's KYC review, compliance policies, business activity and shareholder profile. No free zone — including RAKEZ — can guarantee bank account approval. Prepare a comprehensive banking documentation pack before approaching banks.
UAE corporate tax at 9% applies to taxable income above AED 375,000 for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. RAKEZ companies may qualify as a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) and benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income, subject to specific conditions. Always seek qualified tax advice.
Related Guides
- UAE free zone business setup guide
- UAE free zone licence cost guide
- UAE free zone visa costs
- Free zone vs mainland UAE comparison
- Compare UAE free zones
- Request a RAKEZ setup quote
Ready to set up at RAKEZ?
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Frequently Asked Questions — RAKEZ
What is RAKEZ and what types of businesses use it?
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is a UAE free zone authority covering services, trading, manufacturing, industrial and specialist activities. It is used by small to mid-size businesses, consultants, traders, manufacturers and industrial operators who want a cost-competitive UAE free zone base with broad activity coverage and good logistics access.
How much does a RAKEZ licence cost?
RAKEZ's own promotional pages list a Biz Starter package at AED 6,000 and an all-inclusive SME package at AED 14,000 a year including one residence visa. Industrial, warehouse and factory units are priced by RAKEZ based on area and facility type, and it publishes no price list for them. Always request an itemised quote from RAKEZ or a registered agent for your specific activity and needs.
Does RAKEZ allow manufacturing and industrial businesses?
Yes — RAKEZ has dedicated industrial zones and warehouse facilities for manufacturing, light industrial, storage and logistics operations. This includes warehouse units of varying sizes, factory plots and land-lease options for larger industrial operators. RAKEZ is one of the few UAE free zones with significant industrial infrastructure.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through RAKEZ?
Yes — RAKEZ licence holders can apply for investor, partner and employee UAE residence visas. The number of visas available depends on the office or workspace package selected. Flexi-desk packages typically support 0–3 visas; dedicated desks and offices unlock higher quotas. Visa costs are separate from the licence fee.
How does RAKEZ compare to Dubai free zones on cost?
RAKEZ generally offers lower first-year licence and establishment costs than comparable Dubai free zones such as DMCC, IFZA or Meydan. The trade-off is location — RAK is approximately 1–1.5 hours from central Dubai. For businesses that do not require a Dubai address and are cost-focused, RAKEZ is a strong consideration. For those who need a Dubai presence or specific Dubai-based banking relationships, a Dubai zone may be more suitable.
Sources
How we source these figures: where a free zone publishes a price we record it with its source page and the date we read it; other figures are planning estimates and are marked as such. Figures are indicative, not quotations, and can change — see how we source prices, or report a correction if you spot an error.
For cost-of-living planning, see affordable housing options in emerging UAE free zones.