- 14+years in UAE company formation
- 500+businesses set up
- 1named adviser from call to licence
- Itemisedwritten quote before you pay
RAKEZ reports more than 40,000 companies from over 100 countries and 19,000 new registrations in 2025. DIAC selects the right RAKEZ zone and package for your activity, prepares the application and coordinates visas and bank-account support. Looking at the whole emirate, including RAK ICC offshore and mainland options? See our Ras Al Khaimah business setup guide.
Company Setup in RAKEZ Free Zone, UAE
Get a written quoteLooking to set up your business in the UAE? RAKEZ Free Zone is one of the most dynamic and cost-effective business hubs, offering 100% foreign ownership, a competitive tax position, and access to established infrastructure. At Dubai International Advisory Consultants, we make the rak free zone company formation process fast, hassle-free, and affordable so you can focus on growing your business while we handle the paperwork.
RAKEZ is now home to over 40,000 companies from more than 100 countries, with 19,000 new company registrations in 2025 alone, a 44% increase over the previous year. It’s a base for startups, SMEs, and large enterprises expanding into the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Whether you’re launching an e-commerce store, trading company, or manufacturing unit, RAKEZ’s six specialised zones and choice of free-zone or non-free-zone structures give you options most single-purpose zones can’t match.
If you’re ready to set up your company with RAKEZ Free Zone, Dubai International Advisory Consultants can handle the process from activity selection through to license delivery.
Why Choose RAKEZ Free Zone for Business Setup?
If you’re comparing cost-effective places to set up your company in the UAE, RAKEZ Free Zone is worth including in that comparison. Here’s why so many companies choose RAKEZ:
100% foreign ownership
No local sponsor is required, giving you full control of your business.
Zero corporate and personal taxes
An eligible Qualifying Free Zone Person may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, subject to meeting all applicable conditions. Taxable income that does not qualify may be subject to the standard 9% rate. There is no personal income tax in the UAE.
Strategic location
Get access to global markets, with connectivity to the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Affordable setup costs
One of the more budget-friendly free zones for entry-level packages, worth comparing directly against other zones for your specific activity.
Diverse business activities
RAKEZ supports more than 3,000 permitted business activities, whether you’re in trading, manufacturing, consulting, or e-commerce.
Hassle-free visa and office solutions
Visa options including the UAE Golden Visa for qualifying investors, co-working spaces, private offices, and warehouses, depending on your package and facility.
With six specialised zones, more than 40,000 companies, and both free-zone and non-free-zone licensing options, RAKEZ offers a genuinely broad platform for launching or scaling a business in the UAE.
Not sure which route fits your activity?
Send your activity and get a written recommendation with costs, itemised.
RAKEZ Free Zone Areas, Where Will Your Business Be Located?
Get a written quoteRAKEZ operates across six dedicated zones in Ras Al Khaimah, each designed for specific business types, per RAKEZ’s official zone directory:
- Al Ghail Industrial Zone: Large-scale industrial and manufacturing enterprises.
- Al Hamra Industrial Zone: Light and heavy industry projects.
- Al Hamra Business Zone: Commercial and services businesses, with access to Al Hamra’s retail and port facilities.
- Al Nakheel Business Zone: SMEs and freelancers, home to RAKEZ’s headquarters and business centres.
- Al Hulaila Industrial Zone: Heavier industrial manufacturing.
- RAKEZ Academic Zone: Training institutes, universities, EdTech companies, and professional development centres.
Your DIAC consultant will recommend the right zone based on your business activity, budget, and operational needs.
Steps to Start a Business in RAKEZ Free Zone
Starting a rak free zone company setup is a structured, cost-effective process. Whether you’re launching a startup, SME, or multinational company, here’s a step-by-step guide:
- 01
Select Your Business Activity
The first step is to decide what type of business you want to run. RAKEZ offers a wide range of business activities across more than 3,000 categories, including trading, manufacturing, consulting, education, media, and e-commerce. Choosing the right activity ensures you get the appropriate business license and can operate legally in the UAE.
- 02
Choose a Legal Structure
Decide on the legal framework for your company. RAKEZ currently offers:
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE) – A single-shareholder company with limited liability.
- Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC, still often called FZC) – Two or more shareholders, up to the authority’s permitted maximum of 50.
- Branch of an Existing Company – If you already own a company elsewhere, you can establish a branch in RAKEZ to expand your presence.
Each structure has its benefits, so choosing the right one depends on your business goals and expansion plans. See RAKEZ’s official legal entity guidance for the current full detail on each structure.
- 03
Submit Application and Required Documents
Once you’ve finalized your business activity and structure, it’s time to apply for your RAKEZ license. Document requirements vary by structure, see the Documents section below for a general guide.
RAKEZ authorities will review and process your application, ensuring it aligns with UAE regulations.
- 04
Obtain Initial Approval
After submitting your documents, RAKEZ will conduct a compliance check. If everything is in order, you’ll receive an initial approval, allowing you to move forward with your business setup.
- 05
Lease Office or Warehouse Space
Every business in RAKEZ must have a registered office address. RAKEZ offers flexible workspace options, including:
- Flexi-desks – Cost-effective setup for startups and freelancers.
- Private offices – For SMEs and growing businesses requiring a dedicated workspace.
- Warehouses and industrial land – For manufacturing and logistics companies needing large-scale infrastructure.
Depending on your business type, our team can help you find the best option for your operational needs.
- 06
Pay License Fees and Get Your Business License
Once your application is approved and your office space is secured, you’ll need to pay the RAKEZ licensing fees. The cost varies depending on the license type, business activity, and additional services required. After payment, you’ll receive your RAKEZ business license.
- 07
Open a Corporate Bank Account
After licensing, the company may apply for a UAE corporate bank account. We support document preparation and suitable bank introductions, but final approval remains subject to the bank’s own KYC, source-of-funds, and compliance review. Our accounting services team assists with bookkeeping and financial compliance post-setup, and our PRO services team coordinates the visa and Emirates ID steps that typically run alongside account opening.
- 08
Start Your Business Operations
Once the licence and any required external approvals are issued, the company can begin its permitted business activities. Depending on your activity, this may also involve customs registration, sector-specific permits, or facility inspection before full operations begin.
Documents Required for RAKEZ Business Setup
The following documents are required to register a company in RAKEZ Free Zone:
Usually required
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers
- Proof of address (utility bill or tenancy contract)
- Trade name approval
May be required, depending on activity and licence type
- Visa copies, if applicable
- Business plan, for certain license types
- No Objection Certificate (NOC), for UAE residents employed elsewhere
Corporate shareholder and branch documents
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA/AOA)
- Application form from the RAKEZ authority
- Parent company documents and board resolutions, for branch structures
If your documents include trademark registrations or existing company certificates, our trademark registration team can assist with verification and UAE protection.
Want the real number for your case?
We reply with an itemised quote: government fees, our fee and renewals shown separately.
RAKEZ Company Formation Cost: What You Pay
RAKEZ company formation cost depends mainly on how many residence visas your licence package includes, then on your activity, workspace and renewals. Indicative government costs for a standard licence with a flexi-desk, as at mid-2026:
| Visa allocation | Indicative government cost (AED, first year) |
|---|---|
| No visa (zero-visa licence) | approx. 6,010 |
| 1 visa | approx. 12,010 |
| 2 visas | approx. 18,010 |
| 3 visas | approx. 22,010 |
Each additional visa adds roughly AED 4,000 to 6,000. Trading, service and educational licences are generally priced at the standard rate; industrial and manufacturing activities need approvals and a suitable facility, which changes both cost and timeline.
Usually extra: warehouse, land or industrial-unit lease, dependant visas, external approvals for industrial or regulated activities, corporate bank-account opening and minimum balances, VAT and corporate tax registration, bookkeeping, and annual renewals. DIAC's professional fee is quoted separately and itemised. Always confirm the figures for your activity with RAKEZ before you commit; promotional entry prices change.
For UAE VAT registration, see our VAT consultants; for the business-licence side of a trading company, see general trading licences.
RAKEZ vs Other Free Zones Comparison Table
| Feature | RAKEZ | IFZA | DMCC | Ajman Free Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License Cost | From approximately AED 6,000 | From approximately AED 12,900 | See DMCC fee schedule | From approximately AED 6,500 |
| Location | Ras Al Khaimah | Dubai (Silicon Oasis) | Dubai (Jumeirah Lakes Towers) | Ajman |
| Business Activities | 3,000+ | 1,500+ | 2,500+ | 1,000+ |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate Tax | Qualifying Free Zone Persons may receive 0% on qualifying income; 9% otherwise | Qualifying Free Zone Persons may receive 0% on qualifying income; 9% otherwise | Qualifying Free Zone Persons may receive 0% on qualifying income; 9% otherwise | Qualifying Free Zone Persons may receive 0% on qualifying income; 9% otherwise |
| Physical Office Required | Flexi-desk OK | Flexi-desk OK | Office required | Flexi-desk OK |
| Bank Account Support | Application support available | Application support available | Application support available | Application support available |
| Visa Quota | Depends on package and facility | Depends on package | Depends on office | Depends on package and facility |
| Best For | Startups, manufacturing, e-commerce | E-commerce, consulting, tech | Commodities, trading, finance | Budget startups |
| DIAC Setup Support | Full service | Full service | Full service | Full service |
Popular Business Activities Section
RAKEZ supports 3,000+ business activities across multiple categories, and this is where rakez freezone flexibility stands out most. Here are the most popular license types our clients set up:
E-Commerce License in RAKEZ
Ideal for businesses selling products online. Includes the right to import, store, and export goods. A RAKEZ e-commerce license starts from approximately AED 11,000/year and includes a flexi-desk and UAE visa eligibility, subject to your package; a corporate bank account can then be applied for separately, with approval decided by the bank.
Trading License in RAKEZ
For businesses buying and selling physical goods locally or internationally. RAKEZ trading licenses cover general trading, specific commodity trading (electronics, textiles, foodstuffs), and re-export operations.
Industrial / Manufacturing License in RAKEZ
RAKEZ is one of the few UAE free zones with purpose-built industrial infrastructure, warehouses, factories, and industrial land, at competitive rates. Suited to light manufacturing and heavy industry.
Ready to start?
A named adviser checks your documents before submission so nothing is rejected.
Benefits of Setting Up a Business in RAKEZ Free Zone
Setting up in RAKEZ Free Zone means access to six specialised zones, more than 40,000 companies in its community, and both free-zone and non-free-zone licensing structures. Here’s why RAKEZ stands out:
Cost-Effective Business Solutions
RAKEZ offers some of the more competitive entry-level business setup packages among UAE free zones, worth comparing directly for your specific activity. With flexible office solutions, businesses can start small and scale up as they grow.
100% Foreign Ownership
Unlike mainland businesses that require a local sponsor, RAKEZ Free Zone allows 100% foreign ownership. This means you have full control over your company’s decisions, operations, and profits.
Zero Taxation Policies
An eligible Qualifying Free Zone Person may benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, with the standard 9% rate applying to income that doesn’t qualify, and full profit repatriation. For UAE VAT registration and compliance, our VAT consultants can guide you through registration and filing requirements.
Access to Global Markets
If you are considering both a free zone and an offshore structure, explore our RAK offshore company formation guide for the requirements and costs specific to an offshore entity.
Get your RAKEZ Free Zone business license with Dubai International Advisory Consultants. Our team supports the process from activity selection through to license delivery. Contact us today to get started.
What is the difference between RAKEZ and RAK ICC?
RAKEZ is a free zone for companies that operate in the UAE, with an office or warehouse, visas and banking. RAK ICC is an offshore company registry for holding and asset structures; it does not allow UAE trading or provide UAE residence visas. See our RAK offshore company formation guide.
How much does RAKEZ company formation cost?
A standard licence with no visa costs approximately AED 6,010 in government fees, and approximately AED 12,010 with one residence visa, rising with each additional visa. Warehouse or industrial space, dependant visas, approvals, bank-account opening and renewals are extra, and we itemise our own fee separately.
How long does RAKEZ company setup take?
Timelines depend on the activity, documents and approvals. Straightforward service licences are quicker than industrial or regulated ones. We give you an estimated timeline after reviewing your activity and documents.
Can a RAKEZ company work with customers in Dubai?
A RAKEZ free zone company can generally invoice mainland customers. Operating an activity inside another emirate depends on the licence type and local permit rules. RAKEZ also offers non-free-zone licence options, and we confirm the right one before you apply.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through RAKEZ?
Yes. Visa eligibility depends on your package, activity and facility, and investor, partner and employee visas are processed after the licence is issued.
Do I need to visit the UAE to register?
Registration can usually be done remotely. Medical tests and Emirates ID biometrics need a visit.
Which RAKEZ zone should I choose?
Al Nakheel Business Zone suits SMEs and freelancers, Al Hamra Business Zone suits commercial and service businesses, Al Ghail, Al Hamra and Al Hulaila Industrial Zones suit manufacturing, and the RAKEZ Academic Zone suits education businesses.
Is RAKEZ cheaper than IFZA, DMCC or Ajman?
Do RAKEZ companies pay corporate tax?
Only a Qualifying Free Zone Person earns 0% on qualifying income; other income is taxed at 9%. Eligibility conditions apply, including substance, qualifying income, transfer pricing and the de-minimis limit.
Compare other UAE free zones
Official sources
Check current fees, rules and forms with the issuing authority before you apply. Each link opens the authority’s own website.
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