Set up your company in RAKEZ Free Zone with 100% foreign ownership, zero tax, and licenses from AED 6,000. Get expert guidance from RIZ & MONA Consultancy for a smooth, fast setup.
RAKEZ is not a typical free zone and that distinction matters. Born from the merger of RAK Free Trade Zone and RAK Investment Authority, the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone is a fully integrated economic hub that spans over 33 million square meters across six purpose-built zones. It sits in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, roughly 45 minutes from Dubai, and connects businesses to sea, air, and road networks that reach every corner of the globe.
What sets RAKEZ apart from most free zones is the sheer breadth of what it covers. It is not just a licensing authority. It provides industrial land, warehouses, academic zones, coworking spaces, and built-in government services, all under one roof. Manufacturers, digital entrepreneurs, educators, and logistics companies all operate here side by side.
The zone has recorded a 43% increase in new company registrations in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. That is not a coincidence. It reflects what entrepreneurs from over 100 countries already know: RAKEZ delivers serious infrastructure at genuinely competitive pricing. It is the kind of setup that used to require a Dubai address and a Dubai budget.
For businesses that want the credibility of a UAE presence without the overhead that often comes with it, RAKEZ is consistently the answer.
RAKEZ combines the lowest entry costs in the UAE with six dedicated zones, dual licensing, and industrial-grade infrastructure that most free zones simply cannot match.
Every RAKEZ registration delivers a fully operational legal entity with the documents, infrastructure access, and digital tools you need from day one.
Your official RAKEZ business license covering up to 7 related activities. The license is your legal right to operate, invoice, and contract within and beyond the free zone.
The founding document of your RAKEZ entity. Required for bank account opening, government registrations, and any corporate agreements you enter into.
Prepared and filed with the RAKEZ Authority, the MoA outlines your ownership structure, share capital, and operational scope. Essential for multi-shareholder companies.
Your company's identity with UAE immigration. The establishment card allows you to sponsor visas for investors, employees, and dependents under your company name.
RAKEZ opens an immigration file that links your company to the UAE's labor and residence system. Without this, visa applications cannot proceed.
Every RAKEZ company requires a registered address within the zone. Options range from a flexi-desk to a private office or warehouse unit depending on your activity and visa quota needs.
Your online dashboard to manage license renewals, visa applications, document requests, and government service payments, available around the clock without visiting a physical office.
RAKEZ provides dedicated account managers and value-added services including accounting, recruitment, translation, and banking assistance to support your business beyond the initial setup.
The broadest commercial license RAKEZ offers. Covers import, export, storage, and distribution of goods across a wide product range.
Built for knowledge-based and consultancy-driven businesses. Allows you to provide services to clients inside and outside the UAE without the need for large physical infrastructure.
The gateway to RAKEZ's world-class manufacturing infrastructure. Paired with access to Al Hamra, Al Ghail, or Al Hulaila Industrial Zones.
Purpose-built for online businesses. One of RAKEZ's most popular licenses with startups and digital entrepreneurs due to its low entry cost.
Designed for the creative and communications sector. Covers everything from content production to advertising.
Issued within the RAKEZ Academic Zone. One of only a few free zones in the UAE with a dedicated academic ecosystem.
Not a company license but a permit for individuals. It lets you trade under your own name, invoice clients legally, and apply for a UAE residence visa without setting up a full corporate entity.
RAKEZ is designed for affordability at every tier. Your total cost depends on license type, facility choice, visa count, and whether you opt for multi-year savings.
From AED 6,000
License only with flexi-desk or virtual setup. Best for e-commerce businesses, remote operators, and those who do not need immediate UAE residency.
From AED 11,500 to AED 16,500
Includes one investor or manager visa. Covers license, establishment card, immigration file, and coworking or shared office facility. The most common entry point for SMEs and solo founders.
From AED 25,000+
Multiple visa allocations, private office or warehouse space, and full one-stop-shop government service coverage. Suited to teams of 3 or more and businesses scaling operations within the zone.
Industrial and general trading licenses typically carry higher base fees than service or e-commerce licenses.
Each additional visa (investor, employee, dependent) adds AED 3,500 to AED 4,200 per person.
Flexi-desk is the most affordable. Private offices, warehouses, and industrial land plots increase the annual rental cost.
Up to 7 activities can be bundled under one license. Adding more or choosing specialist activities may attract additional fees.
Paying for 2 or 3 years upfront can reduce total cost by up to 33%.
All figures above are indicative and based on publicly available RAKEZ package data as of 2025 to 2026. Actual costs vary depending on your specific activity, structure, facility requirements, and visa quota. RIZ & MONA Consultancy provides a fully personalized quote based on your exact setup.
Most clients are surprised by how quick and direct the RAKEZ setup process is. There is no bureaucratic maze here. Much of the process can be handled online through RAKEZ Portal 360. Here is what the journey looks like from start to finish.
Define exactly what your business will do. RAKEZ supports over 4,000 activities across its license categories. Picking the right license type from day one prevents costly amendments later.
Decide whether you need an FZE, FZC, or branch. Choose your facility from flexi-desk, private office, or warehouse based on your activity and how many visas you require. Your facility directly determines your visa quota.
Submit your proposed company name for approval. Names must comply with RAK Department of Economic Development guidelines. Avoid names that are identical to existing registrations or that include restricted words.
Submit your application with all required documents. Pay the license fee and any facility deposit. RAKEZ confirms receipt and begins internal review. Once approved, the license is typically issued within 24 hours of payment.
Sign the facility lease agreement and receive your trade license, certificate of incorporation, and MoA. Your company is now legally formed.
Open your immigration file using your establishment card. Apply for investor, manager, or employee visas. The standard processing time is 5 to 10 working days. Medical testing and Emirates ID biometrics are conducted within the RAKEZ center.
With your license and incorporation documents in hand, apply to your chosen UAE bank. RAKEZ licenses are accepted by all major UAE banks. Timeline varies by bank and applicant profile. RIZ & MONA Consultancy coordinates the introduction and prepares your banking file.
Gather everything before you start. Missing items delay the entire process. Requirements can vary based on the applicant's nationality and the activity being licensed.
Documents issued outside the UAE must be attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and further legalized by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Translation into Arabic may be required for non-English documents. Always confirm current requirements with your consultant before preparing your file.
RAKEZ gives every license holder a direct path to UAE residency. The visa type you need depends on your role in the company and whether you are bringing family members with you. The zone processes everything in-house, which means faster turnaround than most.
Dependent visa sponsorship requires a minimum salary threshold of AED 3,000 to AED 4,000 per month.
RIZ & MONA Consultancy confirms current requirements and fees as part of your personalized setup proposal.
Visa fees, processing times, and eligibility requirements are set by UAE immigration authorities and are subject to change. Costs are indicative. RIZ & MONA Consultancy confirms current requirements and fees as part of your personalized setup proposal.
Banking is where many RAKEZ setups slow down, not because of the license, but because of the application. UAE banks have tightened their compliance requirements significantly, and a poorly prepared banking file is the most common reason for delays. RAKEZ licenses are accepted by every major bank in the country.
RAKEZ is not one zone, it is six. Al Ghail (28.2 million sq.m.) handles large-scale manufacturing. Al Hamra serves light industry and high-tech production. Al Hulaila sits next to Saqr Port for heavy industrial operations. Al Nakheel and Al Hamra Business Zones serve SMEs and commercial operators. The RAKEZ Academic Zone hosts training institutes and educational providers. Each zone has its own infrastructure, utility connections, and labor accommodation provisions.
RAKEZ is one of the very few free zones in the UAE that lets a company hold both a free zone license and a non-free zone license simultaneously. This means you can benefit from the tax and ownership advantages of a free zone entity while also having direct access to the UAE mainland market, without setting up a separate company. For businesses that need to trade with both mainland UAE clients and international markets, this is a significant structural advantage.
RAKEZ Portal 360 is the zone's 24/7 self-service client management system. License renewals, visa applications, government fee payments, document requests, and facility management are all handled through one platform. This is not a basic portal, it is a complete administrative layer that eliminates the need to visit the RAKEZ office for routine tasks. For international founders managing their UAE company remotely, this makes all the difference.
RAKEZ actively invests in its community through the Growth Series, an annual program connecting entrepreneurs, SME owners, and business leaders for workshops, expert panels, and networking. Past topics have included AI in business, partnership strategies, and scaling for SMEs. The program includes practical sessions led by industry leaders from organizations including Oracle and others, directly addressing the operational challenges that RAKEZ clients face.
For manufacturers and industrialists, RAKEZ provides on-site staff accommodation, open yards pre-approved by RAK Civil Defence, and customizable warehouse builds. Companies like Ashok Leyland, Knauf, Ahmad Tea, Dabur, Coca-Cola, and Saverglass all have production facilities within RAKEZ's industrial zones. The zone has established partnerships with HR and manpower firms to help industrial clients source and house workforce.
Our Advantage
RAKEZ has six zones, multiple license categories, four legal structures, and a dual-license model that confuses even experienced investors. We have navigated all of it. When you work with us, you get a consultant who knows exactly which zone, which structure, and which package fits your business before you spend a dirham.
Most clients hit a wall when they reach the banking stage. We prevent that wall from appearing. We prepare your full banking dossier, match you with the right institution for your activity profile, and coordinate the introduction. Our clients walk into bank conversations ready, not scrambling.
From your trade name to your visa stamp to your Emirates ID, we manage every step. You do not need to track deadlines, chase government offices, or figure out what comes next. We run the process so you can focus on your business.
License renewal, visa renewals, adding activities, upgrading your facility, and annual compliance: RAKEZ requires ongoing attention. Our clients stay with us beyond the initial setup because we provide continuity. You will not have to re-explain your business to a new consultant every year.
RAKEZ is not the only affordable free zone in the UAE, but it is the one with the most physical infrastructure and the broadest scope. Here is how it compares to two popular alternatives.
Best for manufacturing, trading, SMEs, freelancers, and industrial operations that need physical infrastructure and dual licensing.
Best for startups, e-commerce businesses, and consultants wanting a Dubai address at competitive pricing.
Best for solo freelancers, media professionals, and small consultancies on the tightest possible budget.
Not sure which zone fits your business model?
Talk to the team at RIZ & MONA Consultancy and get a direct recommendation, no generic advice, no sales pressure.
