RAKEZ Company Setup in Ras Al Khaimah:
Licence, Premises and Visas
RAKEZ, the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, is a large free zone in the northern emirate, roughly 45 minutes from Dubai, covering business, industrial and academic zones. It offers 100% foreign ownership and premises from flexi-desks to warehouses and industrial land. Maven& checks your activity, premises and tax position first, then handles your licence, visas and bank account.
- 100% foreign ownership
- Flexi-desk to warehouse and industrial space
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- RAKEZ company setup partner
Foreign ownership
RAKEZ allows 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required.
Zones within RAKEZ
Al Ghail, Al Hamra and Al Hulaila industrial zones, the Business Zone and the Academic Zone.
Team for licence, visas and bank
One consultant handles your licence, residence visas, PRO work and bank account introductions.
- Who RAKEZ suits
Businesses that suit a RAKEZ company
Manufacturers and industrial businesses
Light and medium manufacturing that needs industrial units, warehouses or land.
Trading and logistics companies
Traders and distributors that need warehouse space at lower overheads.
Service and consulting firms
Service businesses that want a licence and address outside Dubai.
Education and e-commerce businesses
Education providers and online sellers using RAKEZ licence categories.
What are the main RAKEZ rules and tax points?
A RAKEZ licence suits many businesses, but it comes with rules on premises, approvals and tax that are worth checking before you commit.
- Zones: RAKEZ spans several zones, and your licence and premises depend on which one suits your activity.
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership is available, with no local sponsor needed.
- Premises: every RAKEZ company needs a registered address in the zone, from a flexi-desk to a warehouse or industrial unit.
- Dubai trading: a RAKEZ free zone licence does not automatically allow unrestricted trading in mainland Dubai. Some RAKEZ licences are issued outside the free zone, so check the licence type.
- Corporate tax: 0% applies only to qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
- RAKEZ vs mainland
RAKEZ vs Dubai mainland company
Choose RAKEZ if its location, licences and premises fit your business. Choose the mainland if you will sell directly to UAE customers.
| Feature | RAKEZ | Dubai mainland (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% for most activities |
| Selling in the UAE market | Within the zone or through approved routes, depending on the licence | Directly, anywhere in the UAE |
| Premises | Flexi-desk, office, warehouse or industrial unit in RAKEZ | Physical office with Ejari |
| Corporate tax | 0% only on qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person, 9% above AED 375,000 otherwise | 9% above AED 375,000 |
| Best for | Industrial, trading and cost-conscious businesses | Businesses serving UAE customers directly |
See mainland company formation or read the free zone vs mainland guide.
- Company structures
Three ways to set up in RAKEZ
Establishment (FZE)
For solo owners
- One shareholder
- Separate legal entity in the zone
- Premises sized to your visa plan
- Industrial, service and e-commerce licences available
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Company (FZC)
For partners and co-founders
- Two or more shareholders
- Separate legal entity in the zone
- Shareholding set out in the MoA
- Same premises and visa rules apply
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
a Company
For existing businesses
- Extends a company incorporated elsewhere
- Parent company documents need attestation
- Licensed under the parent company name
- The parent company carries the liability
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does RAKEZ company setup cost?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your licence type, activity, premises and number of visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every RAKEZ and service fee before you commit.
- RAKEZ licence package and activity fees
- Flexi-desk, office, warehouse or industrial unit in RAKEZ
- Establishment card and residence visas
- Annual licence renewal
- Accounting and reporting support
- PRO, bank account and tax registration support
- How it works
How to set up a RAKEZ company in Ras Al Khaimah in 5 steps
Choose activities and licence
We match your activities to the right RAKEZ licence category and confirm your tax position.
Reserve your name
We reserve a compliant name and prepare the application for RAKEZ.
Apply and secure premises
We submit the application and arrange a flexi-desk, office, warehouse or industrial unit in RAKEZ.
Receive your RAKEZ licence
After approvals and fees, RAKEZ issues your trade licence and incorporation documents.
Visas, bank account and launch
We process the establishment card and residence visas, then introduce you to UAE banks and set up accounting and tax registration support.
Documents required for RAKEZ company setup
Most setups need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing for your structure.
- Passport copy of every shareholder, director and manager
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copy, if you are a resident
- Three proposed names, in order of preference
- A short description of your business activities
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA and board resolution, attested
- Source of funds details, where the authority or bank asks for them
- Business plan or activity description, where required
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for RAKEZ company setup in Ras Al Khaimah
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right licence and tax position
Licence categories, premises rules and tax outcomes differ by activity. We check your licence type and your Qualifying Free Zone Person position before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- RAKEZ FAQs
RAKEZ company setup in Ras Al Khaimah: frequently asked questions
The Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is a free zone in Ras Al Khaimah, formed from the merger of the RAK Free Trade Zone and the RAK Investment Authority. It covers several business and industrial zones and offers 100% foreign ownership. See all free zones.
RAKEZ allows 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required. Some regulated activities need extra approvals.
The cost depends on your licence type, activity, premises and number of visas, so there is no single price. It combines the licence package, your premises, the establishment card and visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
Yes, RAKEZ companies need a registered address in the zone. Options range from a flexi-desk to offices, warehouses and industrial land, and the choice affects your visa quota.
Not automatically. A RAKEZ licence does not give unrestricted mainland trading rights, so trading with UAE customers depends on your licence and any approvals. If most customers are in the UAE, a mainland company may fit better.
Yes, it must register. A free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and 9% on other income above AED 375,000. A free zone licence does not by itself mean zero tax. See corporate tax registration and filing.
RAKEZ issues commercial, service, industrial and e-commerce licences, with further options such as general trading, education, media and freelance permits. We match your activities to the right licence before applying.
The timeline depends on your activity, structure and documents, and on any approvals your activity needs. Visas and the bank account follow the licence. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. A RAKEZ company can sponsor residence visas for owners and employees, with the number linked to your licence and premises. See the investor and partner visa.
Yes. Banks run Know Your Customer checks and the decision is theirs. We prepare the file and introduce you to suitable banks. See corporate bank account opening.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to set up your RAKEZ company?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a setup plan built around your activity. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
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