Company in RAK ICC: 2026 guide & costs
A complete guide to RAK ICC (RAK International Corporate Centre): Ras Al Khaimah’s offshore registry for holdings, asset ownership, international trade and foundations. LorcaBase acts as a registered agent and files your application directly with RAK ICC.
5.0 Verified reviews on Google
RAK ICC is not a free zone: it is an offshore registry.
RAK International Corporate Centre, created in 2016, is Ras Al Khaimah’s international companies registry. Its companies (IBCs) do not operate in the local market or grant visas: they are non-resident vehicles for holding, wealth and international business, always processed through a registered agent (Corporate Service Provider).
IBC
International Business Company: 100% foreign ownership, no physical office or visas, and incorporation in 2 to 5 days.
Registered agent
Every RAK ICC company is incorporated and maintained through an authorised CSP, acting as its address and link with the registry.
More than holdings
Foundations, premium products and vehicles that can own Dubai real estate through the approved structures.
What a RAK ICC company is used for.
Shares and subsidiaries
Holding shares of other companies, inside and outside the UAE.
Assets and investments
Portfolios, intellectual property and international assets under a neutral vehicle.
Dubai property
Holding property in designated Dubai areas through DLD-approved structures.
International business
Invoicing international operations without activity in the UAE local market.
RAK ICC Foundations
Succession and asset protection; an alternative to the DIFC and ADGM foundations.
Redomiciliation
Migrating companies from other offshore jurisdictions to the RAK registry.
RAK ICC versus JAFZA Offshore and Ajman Offshore.
The UAE’s three offshore registries share the registered-agent model and the non-resident company; they differ in cost, uses and integrations.
| Registry | Main difference | Practical advantage | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAK ICC | The UAE’s most complete offshore registry: IBCs, foundations, premium products and redomiciliation, from USD 4,500. | The balance of cost, corporate flexibility and access to Dubai real estate via approved structures. | Holdings, SPVs, wealth, international trade and foundations. |
| JAFZA Offshore | The Jebel Ali offshore registry, from ~USD 7,500, tied to the port ecosystem. | Historic recognition and direct Dubai property ownership under its DLD agreement. | Dubai property holding and structures tied to Jebel Ali trade. |
| Ajman Offshore | The most economical offshore registry, from ~USD 2,500, with a simpler framework. | Minimal entry and maintenance cost for simple structures. | Simple holdings and asset ownership on a tight budget. |
Indicative incorporation figures that must be confirmed before signing. Our offshore company guide compares the three jurisdictions in detail, with tax, banking and common mistakes.
When RAK ICC tends to pay off.
RAK ICC pays off when you need a neutral, efficient holding vehicle; it does not replace an operating licence.
International holding
Shares and portfolios under a vehicle with no local activity.
Property owners
Structuring Dubai property for management, protection and succession.
Wealth planning
Family foundations and holdings at a contained cost.
Triangular trade
Documentary international invoicing without operating in the UAE.
Leaving other offshores
Redomiciling companies from jurisdictions under regulatory pressure.
Efficient offshore
The cost-flexibility balance of the UAE offshore market.
A holding vehicle, not an operating company.
RAK ICC fits owning and structuring; as soon as you need operations, visas or an office, the conversation shifts to free zone or mainland.
It may fit less well if you need residence visas (an IBC grants none), UAE local clients or a real commercial licence. In those cases, RAKEZ or a Dubai free zone is the route. And remember: offshore banking demands a solid file — a clear purpose, traceable funds and substance matching the vehicle.
Compare options →What a real RAK ICC budget includes.
Incorporation
From ~USD 4,500 through a registered agent, with issuance in 2 to 5 working days.
Annual renewal
From ~USD 3,500, covering registry fees and the agent’s maintenance.
Registered agent (CSP)
Mandatory: it acts as registered address, document custodian and official link with the registry.
Compliance
KYC, UBO declaration, accounting and Corporate Tax analysis according to the vehicle’s use.
How to set up your RAK ICC company step by step.
The whole process runs through the registered agent; no travel to the Emirates is required.
- 01
Define the vehicle’s purpose
Holding, wealth, international trade or foundation: the use defines the structure.
- 02
Validate that offshore is the route
Compare with free zone, ADGM or a local holding based on visas, banking and operations.
- 03
Choose the company type
Standard IBC, premium product, foundation or redomiciliation from another jurisdiction.
- 04
Reserve the name
The registry validates the name and proposed structure through the CSP.
- 05
Prepare KYC and UBO
Passports, structure, source of funds and ultimate beneficial owner declaration.
- 06
Sign and pay
Corporate documents, resolutions and incorporation fees.
- 07
Receive the company
Certificate of incorporation and corporate documents in 2 to 5 days.
- 08
Activate banking and compliance
Corporate account, the vehicle’s tax analysis and the annual calendar with the agent.
Mistakes to avoid with RAK ICC.
A poorly conceived offshore creates more problems than it solves: purpose, tax and banking are defined before incorporating.
Using it as an operating company
An IBC cannot operate in the UAE local market or sponsor visas.
Hiding instead of structuring
UBO declarations and international tax transparency are the norm, not the exception.
Ignoring your tax residency
The offshore may still be taxed or reportable in your country of residence.
Assuming banking is guaranteed
Offshore banking demands a clear purpose, traceable funds and a solid file.
Choosing a registry on price
Cost, uses and integrations (property, foundations) differ across RAK ICC, JAFZA and Ajman.
Forgetting Corporate Tax
The vehicle’s use determines its UAE tax position: analyse before, not after.
Official sources on RAK ICC.
We cross-check company types, requirements and uses against the registry’s official information and federal tax law.
RAK ICC: official registry portal▸
Official licensing and registration authority. Original information: rakicc.com
RAK ICC: registered agents▸
Official licensing and registration authority. Original information: rakicc.com/registered-agent
Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on Corporate Tax▸
Official legislation. Original text: mof.gov.ae/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Federal-Decree-Law-No.-47-of-2022-EN.pdf
Key terms for incorporating in RAK ICC.
Concepts worth mastering before structuring an offshore vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah.
RAK ICC · RAK International Corporate Centre ▸
Ras Al Khaimah's international companies registry, created in 2016, for non-resident offshore vehicles.
IBC · International Business Company ▸
RAK ICC's non-resident company: 100% foreign ownership, no office or visas, for holding and international business.
CSP · Corporate Service Provider ▸
The authorised registered agent that incorporates and maintains RAK ICC companies. LorcaBase acts as a CSP of the registry.
Premium products ▸
RAK ICC's special vehicles, including the structures approved to own Dubai real estate.
RAK ICC Foundation ▸
A wealth foundation with no shareholders for succession and asset protection; an alternative to DIFC and ADGM.
Redomiciliation ▸
Migrating a company from another jurisdiction (BVI, Cayman, etc.) to the RAK ICC registry while keeping its legal personality.
DLD · Dubai Land Department ▸
Dubai's land registry; its agreements allow certain RAK ICC structures to own property in designated areas.
UBO · Ultimate Beneficial Owner ▸
The natural person who ultimately owns or controls the company, declared at setup and whenever details change.
Compare before incorporating.
Offshore company in Dubai
The complete offshore guide: RAK ICC, JAFZA and Ajman compared.
Learn more → 02UAE Holding
Holding structures: when to use RAK ICC, ADGM or DIFC.
Learn more → 03Company in Ras Al Khaimah
The emirate guide: RAKEZ, mainland and RAK ICC in context.
Learn more → 04UAE Foundation
RAK ICC Foundations versus DIFC and ADGM for succession.
Learn more →What clients most often ask.
Is RAK ICC a free zone?
No: it is an offshore registry. Its companies (IBCs) are non-resident vehicles that do not operate in the UAE local market or sponsor visas. They serve holding, wealth and international business, and are always incorporated through a registered agent (CSP) such as LorcaBase.
How much does a RAK ICC company cost?
Incorporation starts at about USD 4,500 through a registered agent, and annual renewal at about USD 3,500. It is the cost-flexibility balance of the UAE offshore market: Ajman is cheaper (~USD 2,500) and JAFZA more expensive (~USD 7,500). Indicative figures to confirm.
What does the registered agent (CSP) do?
Every RAK ICC company must be incorporated and maintained through an authorised Corporate Service Provider: it acts as registered address, holds the corporate documents, files renewals and is the official link with the registry. LorcaBase acts as a RAK ICC registered agent.
Does a RAK ICC company grant residence visas?
No. An IBC is a non-resident vehicle: it grants no visas and cannot operate locally. If you need residence, it is combined with a structure that provides it (a free zone) or another route is assessed; we review it case by case.
Can a RAK ICC company own Dubai property?
Yes: through the structures approved with the Dubai Land Department, a RAK ICC company can own property in designated areas of Dubai. It is one of its most common uses for managing, protecting and passing on real estate wealth.
Which is better: RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore or Ajman Offshore?
RAK ICC is the most complete registry (foundations, premium products, redomiciliation) at a mid cost; JAFZA brings its historic Jebel Ali and DLD ties at a higher price; Ajman is the minimal option for simple structures. Our offshore company guide compares them in detail.
Can I open a bank account with a RAK ICC company?
Yes, but offshore banking is demanding: a clear vehicle purpose, traceable source of funds, a transparent structure and, often, UAE ties. We prepare the banking file as part of the incorporation.
Does a RAK ICC company pay Corporate Tax?
It depends on the vehicle's use: an offshore's UAE tax position is analysed by activity, management and substance. Your personal tax residency may also require reporting the structure. Both analyses happen before incorporating, not after.
The trust of those already working with us
Your RAK ICC company, structured precisely from day one.
Tell us which assets you want to structure and from which country. As a RAK ICC registered agent (CSP), we will validate the vehicle and incorporate it without you having to travel.
Book a consultation →Dubai Marina, UAE