RAKEZ company setup cost (2026)
| Item | Government cost |
|---|---|
| Zero-visa licence (published) | ≈ AED 6,010 |
| With one residence visa | ≈ AED 12,010 |
| Warehouse / industrial unit | Priced by size and location |
Headline: From about AED 6,010 (zero-visa) · about AED 12,010 with one visa (government fees as published, July 2026).
Year-one budget: AED 12,000–25,000 with one to two visas.
Not included: professional-service fees, residence visas beyond the package, office upgrades, bank minimum balances, and external approvals for regulated activities.
Benefits of the RAKEZ licence
- One of the lowest licence prices in the UAE
- Offices, flexi-desks, warehouses and industrial land
- Wide range of licence types including industrial and education
- Fast setup with a largely digital process
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation
Who is RAKEZ best for?
- Small businesses and freelancers
- Light-industrial and manufacturing operators
- Cost-sensitive start-ups
Typical permitted activities
- Consulting and professional services
- Trading and e-commerce
- Light manufacturing and industrial
- Education and training
Always check your exact activity against the zone’s permitted list. Regulated activities need separate approvals.
What to watch out for
- Bank account opening can take more effort than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi zones
- Ras Al Khaimah is about an hour from central Dubai
How to set up a company in RAKEZ
- Choose the zone and activityMatch your business activity to the zone’s permitted list and your budget. Check whether you need physical space or a specific licence type.
- Reserve the trade nameSubmit two or three name options; zones typically approve within one to three working days.
- Submit documents and applicationPassport copies, photos, proof of address and shareholder details. Corporate shareholders provide attested documents.
- Pay fees and sign the incorporation documentsFees are paid to the free zone authority; sign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person.
- Receive your licence and certificatesYou receive the trade licence, certificate of incorporation and a desk or lease agreement.
- Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDGet the immigration card, then entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID for each visa holder.
- Open the bank account and register for taxApply for a corporate bank account, and register for corporate tax and, if required, VAT.
RAKEZ compared with similar UAE free zones
| RAKEZ | Ajman Free Zone | SHAMS | IFZA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ras Al Khaimah | Ajman | Sharjah | Dubai |
| Best for | Multi-sector, industrial & SME | Multi-sector, trading & industrial | Media, consulting & digital services | SME, startup & holding companies |
| Licence cost | From about AED 6,010 (zero-visa) · about AED 12,010 with one visa | From AED 5,565 (zero-visa) · AED 13,141 with one visa | From about AED 5,750–6,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 14,300 with one visa | From AED 12,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 21,450 with one visa |
| Setup time | 2–5 working days | About one week | A few working days | 3–7 working days |
| Banking ease | Moderate | Moderate | Good | Good |
| Fee data | Published | Published | Published | Published |
FAQs: RAKEZ Free Zone company formation
Is RAKEZ good for e-commerce?
Yes — low costs and an e-commerce-friendly licence make it a common choice. Confirm marketplace and payment-gateway acceptance for your business.
How does RAKEZ compare with Ajman Free Zone?
Both sit at the bottom of the UAE price range. RAKEZ has more industrial and warehouse options; Ajman Free Zone has a slightly lower entry licence price. Compare on the package you actually need.
How much does it cost to set up a company in RAKEZ Free Zone?
Indicative cost: From about AED 6,010 (zero-visa) · about AED 12,010 with one visa. Government fees as published in July 2026; Year-one totals: AED 12,000–25,000 with one to two visas. Residence visas, office upgrades, professional-service fees, bank minimums and renewals are extra.
How long does RAKEZ company setup take?
Typically 2–5 working days once documents are complete. Residence visa stamping (medical test, Emirates ID) adds further working days and requires you to be in the UAE.
Can foreigners own 100% of a company in RAKEZ?
Yes. UAE free zones allow up to 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of profits and capital. You do not need a UAE national partner or local sponsor.
Can companies licensed in RAKEZ trade in the UAE mainland?
Not freely. A free zone company generally cannot sell directly to mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most of your customers are in the UAE, compare with a mainland licence.
Do I need a physical office in RAKEZ?
Many packages include a flexi-desk or smart desk. Larger visa quotas, industrial activity, warehousing, or regulated activities usually need a dedicated office or unit — confirm for your activity and visa count.
Are RAKEZ companies eligible for 0% corporate tax?
The UAE applies 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 of taxable income. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can access 0% on qualifying income, but only if strict conditions are met, and it is not automatic. Only some zones are also VAT Designated Zones. Get tax advice for your structure.
Can I open a corporate bank account for my company in RAKEZ?
UAE banks assess each application on the shareholders, business model and documents — not only on the zone. Our banking-ease view for RAKEZ is “Moderate”. No zone or consultant can guarantee an account.
What documents are required to set up in RAKEZ?
Typically: colour passport copies of shareholders and directors, passport photos, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities and zones. Corporate shareholders need attested incorporation documents. Regulated activities need approvals from the relevant authority.
Who is RAKEZ best for?
Small businesses and freelancers; Light-industrial and manufacturing operators; Cost-sensitive start-ups.
Popular searches about RAKEZ Free Zone
- RAKEZ Free Zone
- RAKEZ company setup
- RAKEZ company formation
- RAKEZ license cost
- RAKEZ setup cost 2026
- RAKEZ free zone packages
- RAKEZ free zone benefits
- RAKEZ visa cost
- RAKEZ visa quota
- RAKEZ license renewal fees
- RAKEZ trade license
- RAKEZ business license
- RAKEZ free zone requirements
- RAKEZ documents required
- RAKEZ corporate bank account
- RAKEZ corporate tax
- RAKEZ 100% foreign ownership
- RAKEZ flexi desk
- RAKEZ business activities list
- is RAKEZ free zone good
- RAKEZ free zone review
- how to open a company in RAKEZ
- how to set up a business in RAKEZ
- RAKEZ free zone for foreigners
- RAKEZ freelancer license
- open RAKEZ company remotely
- RAKEZ vs mainland
- RAKEZ licence cost
- RAKEZ industrial licence
- RAKEZ e-commerce
- Ras Al Khaimah free zone company
- RAKEZ vs Ajman Free Zone
- RAKEZ vs SHAMS
- RAKEZ vs IFZA
- company formation in Ras Al Khaimah
- free zone in Ras Al Khaimah
- business setup Ras Al Khaimah
- cheapest free zone in Ras Al Khaimah
- Ras Al Khaimah free zone company cost
- company formation in UAE
- UAE free zone company setup
- business setup in UAE 2026
- UAE company registration
- open a company in UAE
- UAE trade license
- best free zone in UAE
- cheapest free zone in UAE
- free zone vs mainland UAE
- UAE free zone list