RAKEZ Company Formation 2026 – Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone Cost & Licence
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is one of the UAE’s largest and most cost-effective free zones, home to thousands of companies across manufacturing, trading and professional services. For entrepreneurs who want a credible UAE licence without a Dubai-city price tag, RAKEZ has become a natural first choice, combining 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax and full repatriation of capital and profits with genuine industrial infrastructure.
Why RAKEZ
RAKEZ blends affordability with substance. It is one of the few UAE free zones where a small consultancy and a full-scale factory can sit under the same authority. Businesses benefit from proximity to Ras Al Khaimah’s ports, straightforward access to regional and international shipping routes, and a single regulator that handles licensing, visas and facilities together. That makes it especially attractive to SMEs, manufacturers, traders and e-commerce operators who need room to grow.
What you can do — activities and licence types
RAKEZ issues several licence categories so you can match the permit to your real business model:
- Trading — import, export, distribution and re-export of goods.
- Professional and service — consultancy, agencies and skills-based services.
- Industrial — manufacturing, assembly, processing and packaging.
- Educational — training providers and education-related activities.
Because RAKEZ offers warehouses and industrial land alongside offices and flexi-desks, you can start lean and scale into physical operations without changing free zone.
Requirements and documents
Setup is document-light compared with many jurisdictions. Typically you provide passport copies of the shareholder or shareholders and the manager, passport photographs, a chosen company name and a clear description of your intended activities. Depending on the structure and nationality mix, the authority may request additional KYC or proof of address. Once approved, your licence is issued and you can proceed to the establishment card and residence visa applications.
Cost — what drives the price
There is no single flat fee. Your investment depends on the licence type, the number of visas you need, and whether you take a flexi-desk, a private office, a warehouse or industrial land. Trading and industrial licences with staff visas naturally cost more than a single-owner professional licence. Rather than quote a misleading headline number, we prepare an itemised quote and an all-in annual package so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
Process
- Confirm activities, licence type and shareholding.
- Reserve the company name and obtain initial approval.
- Sign the incorporation documents and pay the agreed package.
- Receive the licence and establishment card.
- Apply for residence visas and open a corporate bank account.
RAKEZ vs other free zones: Compared with premium Dubai zones, RAKEZ is markedly more cost-effective while still offering warehousing and industrial land that lighter, service-only zones cannot. If your priority is manufacturing or trading at volume on a controlled budget, RAKEZ is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does RAKEZ allow 100% foreign ownership? Yes. Like all UAE free zones, RAKEZ permits full foreign ownership with no local sponsor required.
Can I get residence visas through RAKEZ? Yes. RAKEZ licences are visa-eligible; the number of visas depends on your facility and package.
Is RAKEZ suitable for manufacturing? Very much so. It offers industrial licences, warehouses and land, making it one of the stronger UAE choices for producers.
Will I pay personal income tax? No. The UAE levies 0% personal income tax, and RAKEZ companies enjoy full profit repatriation.