Ras Al Khaimah
RAKEZ company setup
Industrial and trading strength at northern-emirate cost
Get a fixed quote
Four fields. We reply within one working day.
Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109
Ownership
100% foreign
Licence issued
3–5 working days
Facilities
Offices, warehouses, land
Minimum share capital
None for most activities
Staff accommodation
Available on site
Corporate tax
0% on qualifying income
About Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
RAKEZ is the largest economic zone in the northern emirates and the strongest option in the UAE for businesses that need physical space. Warehousing, light manufacturing, workshops and staff accommodation are available at costs that Dubai cannot match.
It also runs a straightforward commercial and professional licensing track for service businesses, so it competes with SHAMS and SPC on price while offering a route to scale into industrial facilities later.
The distance from Dubai is the practical trade-off. Ras Al Khaimah is roughly an hour from Dubai, which matters if you or your staff need to be in Dubai regularly.
Good fit for
- Manufacturing and light industrial businesses
- Trading companies that hold physical stock
- Businesses needing warehousing at low cost
- Companies employing larger numbers of staff
Consider alternatives if
- Consultancies whose clients expect a Dubai address
- Founders who need to be in Dubai daily
What it costs
The figures below cover the RAKEZ licence and the related government fees. The biggest variable is visa count — each residence visa adds both an allocation cost on the licence and a per-person processing cost.
| Item | From |
|---|---|
| Commercial licence, no visa | AED 6,800 |
| Licence with 1 visa allocation | AED 12,800 |
| Licence with flexi desk, 2 visas | AED 17,500 |
| Warehouse, from, per yearDepends heavily on size and specification | AED 42,000 |
| Establishment card | AED 1,100 |
| Residence visa, per person | AED 3,400 |
These are indicative 2026 market ranges, shown so you can budget realistically. Government fees change and every case differs — we send a fixed written quote covering your exact activity, visa count and facility before you commit to anything.
Facility options and visa allowance
Flexi desk
Up to 3 visasShared allocation for service businesses.
Standard office
Scales with area visasPrivate offices from small units upward.
Warehouse
Scales with area visasFrom compact units to large industrial space.
Land plot
By negotiation visasFor purpose-built facilities.
Popular activities
A selection of what RAKEZ permits. The full list runs to hundreds of activities — ask us about yours.
- General trading
- Light manufacturing and assembly
- Import, export and re-export
- Logistics and freight
- Management consultancy
- Industrial services
- Food processing
How long it takes
Typical timings with complete documents. Regulated activities needing external approval take longer.
Activity and facility selection
1–2 working daysChoosing the right licence type and, if needed, viewing facilities.
Name reservation and application
1–2 working daysDocuments submitted to RAKEZ.
Licence issuance
2–3 working daysLicence, incorporation certificate and lease agreement issued.
Establishment card
2–4 working daysPrerequisite for visas.
Residence visas
10–15 working daysProcessed per employee.
What you need to provide
Everything on this list, for each shareholder and director.
- Passport copy for every shareholder and director (minimum 6 months validity)
- Passport-size photograph against a white background
- Proof of residential address dated within the last 3 months
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Business plan — required for financial, consultancy and regulated activities
- Existing UAE visa or entry stamp copy, if you are already in the country
- No Objection Certificate from your current sponsor, if you hold a UAE residence visa
RAKEZ questions
Is RAKEZ worth it if I do not need a warehouse?
It can be — the service-business licence is priced competitively with the Sharjah zones. But if you have no need for physical facilities and no cost advantage applies, choose based on where your clients and bankers expect you to be.
How far is Ras Al Khaimah from Dubai?
About an hour by road from Dubai Marina, longer in traffic. Many RAKEZ licence holders live in Dubai and visit the zone only occasionally, which is entirely workable.
Can I hire staff on a RAKEZ licence?
Yes. Visa allocation depends on your facility type — a flexi desk supports a small number, while offices and warehouses scale with floor area. On-site staff accommodation is available.
Compare other free zones
Ready to set up in RAKEZ?
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We'll send a fixed written quote with every government fee itemised.
Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109