Quick Answer: A one-visa RAKEZ service or trading setup totals roughly AED 39,000–58,000 over three years: AED 18,000–22,000 in year 1 (licence, visa and flexi-desk), then licence renewals of ~AED 10,500–18,000 per year for the same flexi-desk package.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Reviewed by: UAE Free Zone Finder setup team.
This worked example applies the rules in our cost estimate methodology. Every figure traces to the published numbers on our RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) guide (Ras Al Khaimah); the assumptions below are stated openly, and nothing outside the published package is included.
Assumptions
- Standard service/consulting or trading activity (industrial, warehouse and manufacturing options are priced separately, from AED 25,000–60,000+).
- Flexi-desk package with one residence visa.
- Year 1 total from our published shortlist range (AED 18,000–22,000 with 1 visa; licence-only paths start from ~AED 6,000/year).
- Years 2–3 assume renewal of the same flexi-desk package at the published rate of ~AED 10,500–18,000/year.
Year 1 — Licence, Visa and Office
| Component | Estimate | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Licence + flexi-desk package | ≈ AED 10,500–18,000 | RAKEZ guide: service/consulting licences from ~AED 10,500–18,000/year for a flexi-desk package |
| Residence visa + establishment costs | balance to AED 18,000–22,000 | Published 1-visa year-1 range |
| Year 1 total | AED 18,000–22,000 | Published shortlist range |
Years 2–3 — Renewals
Renewal depends on facility, visas, customs and compliance needs (homepage shortlist). We proxy it with the published flexi-desk package rate of ~AED 10,500–18,000/year; visa renewals are additional.
| Component | Estimate | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 renewal (same flexi-desk package) | ≈ AED 10,500–18,000 | Published package rate |
| Year 3 renewal (same flexi-desk package) | ≈ AED 10,500–18,000 | Published package rate |
3-Year Total
≈ AED 39,000–58,000
Notes and Exclusions
RAKEZ suits cost-conscious trading and industrial setups; trading operations may need extra approvals (e.g. customs). Corporate tax (9% above AED 375,000 taxable income) applies to taxable profits, not to these setup fees.
- Excluded from every total: bank minimum-balance deposits and monthly fees, UAE Corporate Tax and VAT, extra visa allocations, office upgrades, mainland access arrangements, attestation/translation and any fines — see the methodology for the full list.
- Authority fees and packages can change without notice; reconfirm in writing at quote stage via a free quote.
- Cross-check this zone against alternatives in our 3-year cost examples hub or the independent cost comparison on our companion site.
All figures are indicative estimates drawn from UAE Free Zone Finder published guides and official free zone authority fee schedules. Authority fees, packages and requirements can change without notice — always confirm your exact quote with the authority before committing. This page is general guidance, not tax or legal advice.