Overview of RAKEZ
Understanding Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
RAKEZ operates five specialized zones covering 43.3 million square meters in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE’s northernmost emirate. The authority manages both Free Zone Company Formation and Mainland Company Formation, offering cost-effective licence packages for startups, SMEs, and foreign investors.
Strategic location provides access to Middle East, African, European, and Asian markets through five major seaports and two international airports. RAKEZ business licence costs make it a budget-friendly alternative to many Dubai free zones.
Businesses comparing jurisdictions can also review the UAE Business Setup Cost guide before making a decision.
Key Advantages
- 40-50% lower costs than Dubai free zones
- Full foreign ownership permitted
- Zero personal and corporate income tax
- Complete profit repatriation
- Access to UAE banking system
- 45 minutes from Dubai
AED 15,000
Total First Year Cost
Cost Breakdown:
- Commercial License: AED 6,500
- Flexi Desk Workspace: AED 4,000
- Establishment Card: AED 2,205
- Registration & Other Fees: AED 2,295
Three-year advance payment packages reduce annual license costs by 15-20% through bulk discounting.
Benefits of Setting Up in RAKEZ
Why 13,000+ companies choose RAKEZ for UAE business formation
100% Ownership & Tax Advantages
Full foreign ownership with complete profit repatriation and zero personal or corporate income tax. Maintain 100% equity control without local partner requirements.
Cost-Effective License Packages
Commercial license packages start at AED 15,000 total first-year cost versus AED 25,000-35,000 in DMCC or JAFZA. Transparent fees with no surprise charges.
Fast & Streamlined Incorporation
Complete business setup takes 5-7 business days from document submission to license issuance. One-stop shop facilities consolidate all government services.
Flexible Workspace Options
Flexi desk packages satisfy legal office requirements at minimal cost (AED 4,000/year), enabling market testing before physical space commitments.
Investor-Friendly Regulations
Single-owner FZE and multi-partner FZ-LLC structures accommodate diverse business models. No minimum capital for most activities.
Full Banking Access
Strong regulatory standing enables corporate bank accounts with Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, and other major UAE banks despite lower setup costs.
Business Activities Allowed in RAKEZ
2,000+ approved activities across 50+ sectors
Trading Activities
Commercial licenses cover diverse product categories.
- Electronics & textiles
- Automotive parts
- Building materials
- Food products
- Medical equipment
- General Trading (multiple categories)
Service & Consultancy
Professional services and advisory businesses.
- Business consulting
- IT services
- Marketing agencies
- Accounting & bookkeeping
- Recruitment
- Corporate training
E-Commerce Activities
Online trading and digital retail operations.
- Online trading platforms
- Website and app-based sales
- Fashion & electronics
- Home goods
- Digital products
- Warehouse fulfillment integration
Media, Creative & Tech
Creative and technology-focused businesses.
- Advertising agencies
- Graphic design
- Content creation
- Photography & video production
- Digital marketing
- Social media management
Industrial & Warehousing
Manufacturing and storage facilities.
- Manufacturing & processing
- Packaging & assembly
- Warehouses (150-10,000+ sqm)
- Al Hulaila, Al Hamra, Al Ghail zones
Multi-Activity Licensing
Combine multiple business types under one license.
- 3 activities included in base fee
- Additional activities: AED 1,000-2,000 each
- Trading + e-commerce + consulting
- Unlimited combinations possible
License Types Available in RAKEZ
Choose the right license for your business model
| License Type | Best For | Annual Cost (AED) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial / Trading | Import, export, distribution, retail | 6,500 | Buying and selling specified products |
| Professional / Service | Consultancy and expertise-based services | 6,500 | Management consulting, IT, marketing |
| General Trading | Multiple unrelated product categories | 10,000 | Broader scope than commercial license |
| E-Commerce | Online trading and digital platforms | 8,000 | Website and app-based sales |
| Industrial | Manufacturing and production | 10,000-15,000 | Requires warehouse/land lease |
| Media | Advertising and creative agencies | 8,500 | Content production, digital marketing |
| Holding / Investment | Portfolio management, asset holding | Custom | Family offices, investment groups |
Multi-Activity Option: Combine trading, services, and e-commerce under one entity. First 3 activities included in base fee; additional activities cost AED 1,000-2,000 each annually.
Types of Companies You Can Form
Select the structure that fits your ownership and operational needs
FZE (Free Zone Establishment)
Single-owner structure providing complete control.
- 100% foreign ownership
- No minimum capital (most activities)
- Independent legal entity
- Suits solo entrepreneurs and consultancies
FZ-LLC (Free Zone LLC)
Multi-partner structure for 2-5 shareholders.
- 2-5 shareholders (individuals or corporations)
- Flexible equity split
- Appoint general manager for operations
- Suits joint ventures and partnerships
Branch of Foreign Company
Extension of parent company without new incorporation.
- Operates under parent company liability
- Retains foreign brand identity
- No minimum capital requirement
- Suits market testing and expansion
Non-Free Zone LLC
Mainland company for direct UAE market access.
- Trade directly with UAE mainland
- 2-50 shareholders
- Specific ownership rules apply
- Government contract eligibility
RAKEZ Business License Cost & Fee Structure
Complete breakdown of all costs involved in RAKEZ company formation
AED 15,000
Total First Year Cost (Commercial License + Flexi Desk Package)
License Fees
| License Type | Annual Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Commercial License | 6,500 |
| Service License | 6,500 |
| E-Commerce License | 8,000 |
| Media License | 8,500 |
| General Trading | 10,000 |
| Industrial License | 10,000-15,000 |
| Additional Activity | 1,000-2,000 |
Registration & Setup Fees
| Item | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Initial Registration Package | 1,150 |
| Establishment Card (Annual) | 2,205 |
| External Approvals (if required) | 2,000-5,000 |
Workspace Costs
| Facility Type | Annual Cost (AED) | Visa Quota |
|---|---|---|
| Flexi Desk | 4,000-6,000 | 1-2 |
| Flexi Office | 8,000-12,000 | 2-3 |
| Standard Private Office | 15,000-18,000 | 4-6 |
| Executive Private Office | 18,000-25,000 | 6-8 |
| Warehouse | 35-55/sqm | 1 per 50 sqm |
| Land Lease | 18-25/sqm | Varies |
Visa Costs
| Visa Type | Total Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Investor/Partner Visa | 3,500-4,500 |
| Employee Visa | 3,000-3,800 |
| Dependent Visa | 2,500-3,200 |
| Extra Visa Quota (beyond allocation) | 5,000 |
Renewal Costs: Annual license renewal at same rate as initial fee. Establishment card renewal: AED 2,205. Visa renewal (every 2-3 years): AED 2,800-3,500. Renew 30 days before expiry to avoid penalties.
Step-by-Step Business Setup Process
omplete your RAKEZ business setup in 9 simple steps
Select Activity and License Type
Determine primary business activities from 2,000+ approved options. Choose commercial, service, industrial, e-commerce, or media category. Select FZE or FZ-LLC structure.
Trade Name Reservation
Submit three preferred names following RAKEZ guidelines. Approval within 24 hours. Names must include legal entity designation (FZE, FZ-LLC, Branch).
Initial Approval Issuance
Submit application with activities, structure, and trade name. RAKEZ reviews within 24-48 hours and issues initial approval certificate.
Document Submission
Upload documents through online portal or submit at Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi offices. Review completes within 24 hours.
Payment & License Issuance
Receive invoice covering all fees. Pay via bank transfer, online payment, cash, or cheque. License issues within 48 hours of payment confirmation.
Establishment Card
Card arrives automatically with license showing visa quota based on facility type. Required for all visa processing.
Visa Processing
Submit applications with documents and fees. Medical examination at approved centers. Emirates ID enrollment. Timeline: 7-10 business days.
Bank Account Opening
RAKEZ provides introduction letters for Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Commercial Bank of Dubai, and others. Account activation: 2-4 weeks.
Start Operations
Your company is now officially registered and ready to conduct business locally and internationally.
Total Timeline: 5-7 business days from document submission to license issuance. Visa processing adds 7-10 days. Bank account opening requires 2-4 additional weeks.
Facilities & Workspace Options
Choose from flexible workspace solutions tailored to your business needs
Flexi Desk Package
Shared workstation for cost-conscious startups.
- Cost: AED 4,000-6,000/year
- Visa allocation: 1-2 visas
- Semi-enclosed workstation
- Phone number and mail handling
- 10 hours monthly meeting room access
Flexi Office
Enclosed private space for small teams.
- Cost: AED 8,000-12,000/year
- Visa allocation: 2-3 visas
- 2-person private office
- Furniture included
- Shared amenities access
Standard Private Office
Unfurnished private space for growing teams.
- Cost: AED 15,000-18,000/year
- Visa allocation: 4-6 visas
- 6.5-12 square meters
- Unfurnished (packages available)
- 24/7 building access
Warehouse Facilities
Industrial storage and logistics space.
- Cost: AED 35-55/sqm/year
- Size: 150-10,000+ sqm
- Al Hulaila, Al Hamra, Al Ghail zones
- 6.5-7.2m height
- Loading docks and fire safety
RAKEZ vs Other UAE Free Zones
Compare costs, speed, and features across major UAE free zones
| Factor | RAKEZ | DMCC | JAFZA | IFZA | Shams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total Cost | AED 15,000 | AED 28,000 | AED 32,000 | AED 18,000 | AED 22,000 |
| License Fee | AED 6,500 | AED 15,000+ | AED 18,000+ | AED 12,000 | AED 15,000 |
| Flexi Desk Cost | AED 4,000 | AED 8,000+ | AED 10,000+ | AED 5,000 | AED 6,000 |
| Setup Timeline | 5-7 days | 7-10 days | 10-14 days | 5-7 days | 7-10 days |
| Visa Quota (Flexi) | 1-2 visas | 1 visa | 1 visa | 1-2 visas | 1 visa |
| Industrial Facilities | Yes | No | Limited | No | No |
| Location | Ras Al Khaimah | Dubai | Dubai | Fujairah | Sharjah |
Why Choose RAKEZ?
- Lowest total setup cost in UAE
- Fast 5-7 day incorporation
- Full industrial and warehouse facilities
- Strong banking relationships
- Established 20+ year track record
- One-stop shop convenience
When to Consider Alternatives
- DMCC/JAFZA: Dubai address prestige, gold trading, government contracts
- DIFC: Financial services, international arbitration
- ADGM: Abu Dhabi government work, financial licensing
- Mainland: Direct UAE retail consumer sales
Bank Account Opening for RAKEZ Companies
RAKEZ companies enjoy full access to UAE banking system
Partnered Banks
Strong regulatory standing enables accounts with:
- Emirates NBD
- Mashreq Bank
- Commercial Bank of Dubai
- ADCB
- Digital banks (Liv, Wio)
Required Documents
- Trade license copy
- Passport copies of shareholders
- Business plan
- Proof of address
- 6-month bank statements
- RAKEZ introduction letter
Timeline & Process
- Traditional banks: 2-4 weeks
- Digital banks: 1-2 weeks
- Initial deposit: AED 3,000-25,000
- In-person meeting required
- Due diligence conducted
Alternative Options
For faster onboarding or specific needs:
- Wise Business
- Payoneer
- Mercury (USD accounts)
- Lower limits but faster setup
Why Choose JurisZone for RAKEZ Free Zone?
Expert guidance through every step of your business setup journey
200+
RAKEZ Formations
92%
Banking Approval Rate
4.2
Days Average Setup
What We Provide
- Complete activity classification and license selection guidance
- End-to-end documentation preparation and submission
- Banking facilitation through Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, ADCB and Digital banks (Liv, Wio)
- Workspace selection assistance (virtual, office, or flexi desk)
- Visa processing for investors, employees, and dependents
- Corporate tax TRN registration and FTA compliance support
- Annual license and visa renewal management
“JurisZone made our RAKEZ Free Zone setup seamless. From selecting the right license to opening our Wio Bank IBAN in 4 days, their team handled everything professionally. Highly recommended for Dubai-focused entrepreneurs.”
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