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  4. ›RAKEZ

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RAKEZ rules at a glance

Licensing authority
RAKEZ Authority
Sector regulator
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
Legal system
UAE Civil Law
Can qualify for 0% Corporate Tax (QFZP)
Yes
Audited accounts required
Yes
Foreign ownership
Up to 100%
Licence renewal
Visa renewal every 2 years

Setting up in RAKEZ?

Setup costs, licence packages, visas and banking

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Other free zones in RAK

  • RAK Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO)
  • RAK Maritime City Free Zone (RMC)

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Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)Free zone tax status and compliance

RAK

RAKEZ Authority

The Verdict

Consolidated Industrial Node; Legacy License Migration Risk.

I. Statutory Basis

As a Qualifying Free Zone Person, this jurisdiction requires strict adherence toCore Income-Generating Activities.Centralized RAK jurisdiction. Article 18 compliance centers on local physical CIGA. Legacy licenses must be audited to ensure 'Qualifying Free Zone Person' status is not disqualified due to outdated activity descriptions.

Compliance Roadmap

01

Legacy Audit: Comprehensive review of RAKIA/RAKFTZ legacy terms against 2026 statutory definitions

02

Annual Financial Audit: Mandatory filing of audited accounts to substantiate QFZP 0% claims

03

Physical Lease Verification: Documenting that industrial 'Core Income-Generating Activities' are performed within the RAK perimeter

Audit Hotspots

Failing to update legacy license terms to 2026 standards, leading to 'Excluded Activity' reclassification

Missing the mandatory 9-month registration window for older RAKIA entities

Assuming 'Virtual' presence satisfies the Article 18 physical asset requirement for industrial firms

Jurisdictional Connectivity

Check your RAKEZ setup

Scout scores Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone against your activity, ownership and visa needs, with full setup costs, and compares it with every other free zone and mainland.

See costs and setup options
Global Parent

15%

RAKEZ

0%

Live Node
Dubai Mainland

9%

Forensic Brief

Qualifying Income requires physical CIGA within the zone boundaries. Article 18 mapping is mandatory to maintain 0% status.