RAK Offshore (RAK ICC) Company Formation in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE 2026: Cost, Steps, Timeline & Requirements

You need a credible, internationally-recognised UAE offshore vehicle for holding, IP licensing, or cross-border invoicing — and your bank, your private wealth manager, or your tax advisor specifically wants to see RAK ICC rather than the cheapest possible offshore option.

RAK Offshore — now operated as RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) — is the UAE’s most internationally-recognised offshore jurisdiction. RAK ICC was created in 2016 by merging RAK Offshore and RAK International Companies into a single specialised registry, and is now widely used by international groups, family offices, private equity sponsors, and high-net-worth individuals who need a UAE-anchored holding structure with strong corporate-law foundations. RAK ICC sits under the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and applies a modern set of company regulations drawn from leading common-law jurisdictions, which is exactly what international banks and counterparties want to see in their KYC files.

Who This Service Is For

• International holding structures owning operating subsidiaries in multiple countries.
• Family offices and private wealth structures requiring a recognised UAE platform.
• Joint ventures between parties from different jurisdictions needing a neutral UAE incorporation.
• IP holding companies licensing technology or trademarks to operating entities.
• Private investors holding minority stakes in UAE and non-UAE businesses.
• Pre-IPO or restructuring vehicles.

RAK Offshore (RAK ICC) Company Formation Cost Breakdown (2026)

The figures below reflect prevailing 2026 government and authority fees. Final pricing depends on your chosen activity, visa allocation, and office configuration. DBS will confirm a fixed quote in writing before any payment is made.

Cost Component	Indicative AED	Notes
RAK ICC incorporation fee	5,500 – 8,500	Paid to the registry at incorporation.
Registered agent annual fee (DBS)	5,000 – 7,500	Mandatory — RAK ICC only deals with the registered agent.
Memorandum & Articles drafting	1,500 – 3,000	Drafted on RAK ICC’s modernised template; bespoke MOAs cost more.
Annual renewal	6,000 – 9,000	Due each year before the anniversary of incorporation.
Apostille / legalisation per document	500 – 1,500	Common when documents are needed outside the UAE.
UAE bank account introduction	Included on request	DBS introduces clients to private and commercial banks active with RAK ICC entities.
Optional Tax Residency Certificate	From 3,500	Available after the company demonstrates UAE substance.

Step-by-Step RAK Offshore (RAK ICC) Company Formation Process

1. Structuring consultation — DBS reviews your intended use of the entity, ownership map, and any tax-treaty objectives to confirm RAK ICC is the right wrapper (vs JAFZA Offshore or Ajman Offshore).
2. Name reservation — three proposed company names are submitted to RAK ICC; approval is typically same-day to 2 working days.
3. KYC and due diligence — full KYC pack collected on every shareholder, director, beneficial owner, and corporate signatory.
4. MOA and AOA drafting — RAK ICC’s standard templates are used unless bespoke provisions (drag-along, tag-along, pre-emption rights) are required.
5. Submission to RAK ICC — registered agent lodges the file electronically; registrar typically issues the certificate of incorporation within 2–4 working days.
6. Document delivery — certificate of incorporation, share certificates, register of members, register of directors, and corporate seal are issued.
7. Bank account introduction — DBS prepares the bank pack and introduces you to UAE private and commercial banks comfortable with RAK ICC entities.
8. Optional TRC application — once UAE economic substance can be demonstrated, DBS can apply for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate.

Timeline

From a complete KYC pack, RAK ICC typically issues the certificate of incorporation in 3 to 7 working days. Add 3 to 8 weeks for UAE bank account opening, which is subject to the bank’s own enhanced due diligence. Structures with corporate shareholders, multiple beneficial owners, or politically-exposed persons (PEPs) may take 2–4 weeks longer.

Documents You Need to Prepare

• Coloured passport copy for each individual shareholder, director, beneficial owner, and authorised signatory (6+ months validity).
• Recent proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or tenancy contract under 3 months old).
• Curriculum vitae or professional profile for each individual.
• Bank reference letter or banker’s introduction (recommended).
• Source-of-funds and source-of-wealth declarations with supporting evidence.
• Three proposed company names.
• Description of intended activity and counterparties.
• If corporate shareholder: certificate of incorporation, MOA/AOA, register of members and directors, recent good standing certificate, board resolution authorising the formation — all notarised, apostilled, or UAE-attested.

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum one shareholder — individual or corporate, of any nationality.
• Minimum one director — corporate directors are permitted under RAK ICC rules.
• Mandatory registered agent licensed by RAK ICC (DBS is a licensed registered agent).
• Registered office address in the UAE — typically provided by the registered agent.
• Source of funds and ultimate beneficial ownership must satisfy UAE anti-money-laundering rules and CRS reporting.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Treating RAK ICC like a brass-plate jurisdiction — modern banks and tax authorities require evidence of substance and a real reason for the entity to exist. DBS will help you document substance from day one.
• Choosing the wrong vehicle for Dubai real estate — RAK ICC entities cannot directly own Dubai mainland real estate. For Dubai property holding, JAFZA Offshore is usually the correct choice.
• Underestimating bank onboarding time — even with a strong KYC pack, expect 3 to 8 weeks for UAE bank account opening on offshore entities.
• Forgetting Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) — certain activities trigger annual ESR notifications and reports. DBS’ managed-renewals package includes ESR filings.
• Confusing RAK ICC with RAKEZ — RAKEZ is the onshore free zone for trading and operating businesses; RAK ICC is the offshore registry for holding and international structures. Different licences, different purposes.

RAK Offshore (RAK ICC) Company Formation Packages from DBS

Package	From (AED)	Includes
RAK ICC Standard Formation	12,000	Name reservation, KYC review, standard MOA/AOA, registry fees, certificate of incorporation, share certificates, one year registered agent and registered office.
RAK ICC + Banking Package	17,500	Everything in Standard plus bank pack preparation, introductions to two UAE banks, and follow-up support through the bank’s KYC process.
RAK ICC + Banking + Substance + TRC	27,500	Everything in Banking plus economic-substance documentation, ESR filings for year one, and Tax Residency Certificate application after first 12 months.

How This Compares to Alternatives

Feature	RAK ICC (Offshore)	JAFZA Offshore	Ajman Offshore
Typical setup cost	AED 12,000 +	AED 15,000 +	AED 8,500 +
International recognition	Highest (modern company law)	High	Moderate
Can own Dubai real estate	No	Yes (DLD-approved areas)	No
Corporate directors	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted
Time to incorporation	3–7 days	10–15 days	3–5 days
Most common use	Holding, IP, JV vehicle, family office	Dubai property, large groups	Low-cost holding, international invoicing

RAK ICC is the right answer when international counterparties or banks specifically want to see a modern, well-regulated UAE offshore. Choose JAFZA Offshore if Dubai property holding is the core purpose. Choose Ajman Offshore if you need the cheapest viable UAE holding vehicle. DBS will pick the right one for your actual use case rather than defaulting to the cheapest.

Why Choose DBS for RAK Offshore (RAK ICC) Company Formation

Dubai Business Services has spent more than 20 years helping international entrepreneurs, family offices, and SME founders navigate the UAE’s licensing system. We are not a hand-off agency — every DBS file is managed end-to-end by a named senior consultant who already has working relationships with the registrars, immigration officers, and bankers your application will pass through.

• 4 in-house local sponsors with clean compliance records — relevant where a UAE national service agent is still required.
• 147 active licenses under management across mainland and free zone jurisdictions, giving us live data on processing times and fee changes.
• 99.3% on-time renewal rate — we track every renewal in our own system so your license never lapses and you never face fines.
• 20+ years of continuous trading from our Downtown Dubai office. We have helped clients from over 60 nationalities establish in the UAE.
• Fixed, written quotations — no hidden mid-process upsells.

Background and Additional Information

RAK Offshore Company incorporation

Ras Al Khaimah has the maximum level of industrialization in the UAE. It has regulated under the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority under International Companies Regulation Act 2006.

 

Key features of RAK Offshore Company:

• Minimum one stakeholder is required. International corporate Stakeholder is necessary to have all company document attested.
• Every company must have a secretary. Company director may also act as Company Secretary.
• No minimum share capital requirements.
• Every single company must keep accounting chronicles for 7 years from the date of preparation.

Key benefits of opening of RAK Offshore Company 

• Complete foreign Ownership
• Local Bank Account policy
• Fast Incorporation
• Name of stakeholders and directors not to be disclosed on public register

Offshore company Formation, Features, and benefits

UAE Offshore Companies shouldn’t be compared with UAE Free Zone Companies. An offshore Company is an authorized business unit that is established with the objective of operating outside the jurisdiction under which they are registered and the position of its possession.

Benefits of utilizing offshore incorporation services include:

• Provides an access for expansion of international market
• Gateway to a business-friendly legal system
• Way to a more flexible regulatory regime
• Provides window to global funding

RAK and the Free Zone of Jebel are the two principal jurisdictions offering offshore Companies, and they are Tax-Free jurisdictions and permit complete foreign ownership. There are nearly 40 countries with which UAE signed Double Tax Treaty Agreement.

Multi-currency accounts are permitted for Offshore Company in UAE to carry out business internationally.

RAK and JAFZA have different benefits. RAK is known for its cost effectiveness and JAFZA is the only Offshore Company of UAE that lawfully permits to own property situated in Dubai.

Book a free consultation today! Call us on +971 54 332 2846 or WhatsApp on +971 54 332 2846. You may also chat with a live agent on our website https://www.dubaibusinessservices.com/ , request a call back on https://www.dubaibusinessservices.com/contact-us/ or visit our office Level 23, Boulevard Plaza, Tower 2, Downtown Dubai, UAE

 

 

Related Resources

• Business Setup in the UAE — full cost guide
• Offshore Company Formation UAE — JAFZA Offshore
• Offshore Company Registration in Dubai

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RAK Offshore in 2026?

RAK Offshore is the legacy name for the offshore companies regime now operated as RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC). RAK ICC is the UAE’s most internationally-recognised offshore registry, established by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and used for holding, IP, family-office, and joint-venture structures.

How much does a RAK Offshore / RAK ICC company cost in 2026?

A RAK ICC company starts from AED 12,000 with DBS for the standard formation, including registry fees, MOA/AOA drafting, and one year of registered agent and registered office services. Annual renewals from year two are between AED 6,000 and AED 9,000.

How long does RAK ICC incorporation take?

With a complete KYC pack, RAK ICC typically issues the certificate of incorporation within 3 to 7 working days. UAE bank account opening adds a further 3 to 8 weeks because banks apply enhanced due diligence to all offshore entities.

Can a RAK ICC company open a UAE bank account?

Yes. Several UAE banks accept RAK ICC entities for both commercial and private banking. DBS prepares the bank pack and introduces clients to two banks as standard. Approval is subject to the bank’s compliance review and is never guaranteed by any consultant — anyone promising guaranteed bank opening is not a credible operator.

Can a RAK ICC company own real estate in Dubai?

Direct ownership of Dubai mainland real estate is generally restricted for RAK ICC entities. The Dubai Land Department maintains a list of offshore structures permitted to hold Dubai property, and JAFZA Offshore is the offshore vehicle most commonly approved for that specific purpose. DBS will recommend the right structure based on your property strategy.

Is a RAK ICC company subject to UAE Corporate Tax?

RAK ICC companies fall within the scope of UAE Corporate Tax rules introduced in 2023. Pure-holding income (dividends, capital gains from qualifying participations) typically benefits from a 0% effective rate where conditions are met. Active trading income may be taxable. DBS will assess your specific activity against current Federal Tax Authority guidance.

What is the difference between RAK ICC and RAKEZ?

RAK ICC is an offshore registry — paper companies for holding and international use, no UAE trading, no UAE visas. RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is an onshore free zone for operating businesses, with visa quotas and physical premises. Completely different vehicles for different purposes.

Can RAK ICC apply for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate?

Yes, but a Tax Residency Certificate requires the company to demonstrate UAE economic substance — typically a UAE bank account with real activity, UAE-based management decisions, and adequate qualified people. DBS provides a managed substance package that prepares the entity for TRC application after the first 12 months.