Company in RAKEZ: 2026 guide & costs
A complete guide to RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone): all-inclusive packages, real costs, visas, industrial facilities and tax. The UAE free zone with the best total cost. LorcaBase acts as a registered agent and files your application directly with RAKEZ.
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RAKEZ is the optimised-total-cost free zone.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone is RAK’s multi-sector economic authority. Its proposition is direct: packages with almost everything included (medical, Emirates ID, status change, e-channel) and the ability to scale from a coworking desk to a warehouse or industrial land without changing authority.
All-inclusive package
The package price already covers most ancillary services that other zones bill separately.
Multi-sector catalogue
Service, commercial, e-commerce, education, media and industrial licences under one authority.
Real facilities
Coworking, offices, warehouses, units and industrial land within the same ecosystem.
Which businesses fit RAKEZ.
Consulting and digital
Professional activity with minimal fixed costs and international clients.
Trading and distribution
Import and export with warehouses and logistics available in the zone.
Manufacturing and assembly
Units, industrial land, power and technical approvals for physical operations.
Online sales
A light structure with coherent customs treatment and inventory if needed.
Specific sectors
Academic and media licences within the multi-sector catalogue.
Minimum total cost
Projects that prioritise recurring cost over a Dubai commercial address.
RAKEZ versus IFZA and DMCC.
All three are serious options with different profiles: RAKEZ optimises total cost and facilities from RAK, IFZA optimises speed within Dubai, DMCC buys reputation and ecosystem.
| Free zone | Main difference | Practical advantage | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ | A multi-sector Ras Al Khaimah authority with all-inclusive packages and industrial options. | The lowest total cost (year 1 from AED 6,000) with ancillary services included, and scaling to warehouses or industrial land. | Services, trade, e-commerce, light manufacturing and inventory-based operations. |
| IFZA | A generalist Dubai free zone focused on agile packages and a contained entry cost. | A Dubai jurisdiction, fast setup and the first employee-visa government fee included. | Consulting, digital services and SMEs that want a Dubai address. |
| DMCC | A premium Government of Dubai authority in JLT, with AED 50,000 reference capital and a mandatory annual audit. | Maximum reputation with banks and counterparties, plus commodities and crypto ecosystems. | International trading, commodities, crypto and branded professional services. |
The exact government costs for all three zones, with 0 to 3 visas, are in our cost calculator. Fees and promotions change: confirm before signing.
When RAKEZ tends to pay off.
RAKEZ almost always wins on total cost. The real decision is whether your business needs a Dubai address or physical facilities.
Tight budget
The most economical package of the big three, with ancillary services already included.
Physical operations
Units, warehouses and industrial land that service-oriented free zones do not offer.
Logistics and stock
Businesses with goods that need more than a flexi desk.
Growing without migrating
From coworking to an industrial unit within the same authority.
Founder outside the UAE
Setup and renewal can be handled remotely; residence requires in-person steps.
Brand-independent
When clients do not require a Dubai commercial address.
Cost leads, but it does not decide alone.
RAKEZ fits when total cost and facilities matter more than a Dubai address or the jurisdiction’s brand.
It may fit less well if your clients or bank expect a Dubai-based company, if the activity requires a Dubai-specific approval or if the business depends on a premium image. In those cases IFZA or DMCC can justify their premium. Our emirate guide compares RAKEZ with RAK mainland and RAK ICC.
Compare options →What a real RAKEZ budget includes.
Licence and package
Government cost from AED 6,000 in year 1 with no visas (AED 22,000 with 3), establishment card included.
Annual renewal
In the same range as year 1: from AED 6,000 with no visas to AED 22,000 with 3.
Visas
Medical, Emirates ID, status change and e-channel already included in the package; no ancillary surprises.
Facilities
Coworking included; offices, warehouses and industrial land as an upgrade within the same authority.
How to set up your RAKEZ company step by step.
The licence is one phase; banking, residence and compliance are handled through separate processes.
- 01
Define activity and model
Specify what is sold, to whom, and whether there will be goods, warehousing or physical operations.
- 02
Validate that RAKEZ pays off
Compare with IFZA, DMCC and RAK mainland on total cost, banking and brand.
- 03
Choose package and facility
Visas needed, coworking, office, warehouse or land according to the operation.
- 04
Reserve name and activity
The authority validates the name, activities and shareholding structure.
- 05
Prepare KYC and UBO
Passports, structure, source of funds and ultimate beneficial owner declaration.
- 06
Sign and pay
Forms, corporate documents and the all-inclusive package fees.
- 07
Receive licence and process visas
Entry permit, medical, biometrics and Emirates ID, already covered by the package.
- 08
Activate banking and compliance
Corporate account, Corporate Tax and VAT registration where applicable, and accounting.
Mistakes to avoid with RAKEZ.
The economical package is real, but it does not make RAKEZ the universal answer: fit mistakes are paid for later.
Choosing on price alone
If the bank or the clients require Dubai, the saving turns into commercial friction.
Ignoring RAK mainland
Local activity, premises or mainland contracts may require a RAK DED licence.
Choosing the wrong activity
Contracts, website, invoices and bank flows must match the licensed activities.
Assuming banking is guaranteed
Each bank reviews owners, markets, source of funds, contracts and substance.
Assuming zero tax
QFZP treatment has strict conditions and covers qualifying income only.
Forgetting personal tax residency
Managing from another country can create personal or corporate obligations there.
Official sources on RAKEZ.
We cross-check licences, activities, costs and requirements against the authority’s official information and federal tax law.
RAKEZ: official licence and activity catalogue▸
Official licensing and registration authority. Original information: rakez.com/en/start-a-business/license-activity-list
RAKEZ: official authority portal▸
Official licensing and registration authority. Original information: rakez.com
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
Federal Tax Authority: VAT▸
Official licensing and registration authority. Original information: tax.gov.ae/en/taxes/vat.aspx
Key terms for incorporating in RAKEZ.
Concepts worth mastering before budgeting and signing with RAKEZ.
RAKEZ · Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone ▸
Ras Al Khaimah's multi-sector economic authority, created in 2017 by unifying RAK FTZ and RAKIA, with licences from services to industry.
All-inclusive package ▸
RAKEZ's model that builds ancillary services into the price: medical, Emirates ID, status change, e-channel and stamping.
RAK DED ▸
Ras Al Khaimah's economic department, responsible for mainland licences outside the free zone.
RAK ICC · RAK International Corporate Centre ▸
Ras Al Khaimah's offshore registry for holdings and international structures; it is not a RAKEZ operating licence.
E-channel ▸
The mandatory electronic immigration registration for processing visas; included in RAKEZ packages.
Flexi Desk ▸
A shared desk that meets the business address requirement; included in RAKEZ packages.
QFZP · Qualifying Free Zone Person ▸
A free-zone person that can apply 0% Corporate Tax to qualifying income if it meets all the conditions.
UBO · Ultimate Beneficial Owner ▸
The natural person who ultimately owns or controls the company, declared at setup and whenever details change.
Compare before incorporating.
Company in Ras Al Khaimah
The emirate guide: RAKEZ versus mainland and RAK ICC.
Learn more → 02Company in IFZA
The agile alternative with a Dubai jurisdiction and first visa included.
Learn more → 03Cost calculator
Compare the real government cost of RAKEZ, IFZA and DMCC with 0 to 3 visas.
Learn more → 04Free Zone in Dubai
Understand the general rules of a free-zone company.
Learn more →What clients most often ask.
How much does a RAKEZ company cost?
The government cost for year one starts at AED 6,000 with no visas and reaches about AED 22,000 with 3 visas, with medical, Emirates ID, status change and e-channel already included in the package. Annual renewal sits in the same range. Compare your case in our cost calculator.
Why does RAKEZ look so cheap compared with IFZA and DMCC?
Because its package is all-inclusive: it covers ancillary services (medical, Emirates ID, status change, e-channel, stamping) that other zones bill separately. Comparing the real total cost, the gap narrows versus marketing prices, but RAKEZ remains the most economical.
How long does RAKEZ incorporation take?
With complete documentation, the licence is usually issued in a few working days. Visas and the bank account follow and can add weeks depending on the case.
Which facilities does RAKEZ offer?
From coworking and offices to warehouses, industrial units and land, within the same authority. It is one of the few free zones where a business can scale from a flexi desk to an industrial operation without migrating jurisdiction.
Can a RAKEZ company work with Dubai clients?
It can contract and invoice within the scope of its licence. Physical sales or on-site services in mainland may require a distributor, branch or local licence depending on the activity. Having Dubai clients does not require incorporating in Dubai.
Which is better, RAKEZ or IFZA?
RAKEZ wins on total cost and physical facilities; IFZA brings a Dubai jurisdiction and the first visa's government fee included. For pure services with clients who value a Dubai address, IFZA; for minimum cost, industry or inventory, RAKEZ.
Can I open a bank account with a RAKEZ company?
Yes, RAKEZ is an established authority accepted by UAE banks. Each bank still reviews shareholders, residence, activity, clients, source of funds and substance; the licence does not guarantee approval.
Does a RAKEZ company pay Corporate Tax?
It can use the QFZP regime (0% on qualifying income) if it meets all the conditions; non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. VAT, accounting and transfer pricing may also apply.
The trust of those already working with us
Your RAKEZ company, structured precisely from day one.
Tell us the activity, the clients and the facilities you need. We will validate whether RAKEZ pays off against other zones before filing anything.
Book a consultation →Dubai Marina, UAE