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  1. Home
  2. ›Free zones
  3. ›Costs and visas
  4. ›RAKEZ

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ): setup cost, visas and licences

RAK · RAKEZ Authority · Est. 2017

StartupsSMEsManufacturingE-commerce

RAKEZ is a government-backed economic zone in Ras Al Khaimah offering low-cost operational solutions for commercial trading, technology, and manufacturing businesses. Packages start from AED 6,000, with support for up to 4 visa allocations on entry packages and moderate banking accessibility. RAKEZ provides flexi-desks, serviced offices, and custom industrial facilities across dedicated specialized parks.

Set up in RAKEZ: talk to an adviser Visa and renewal costs

Fees last checked June 2026 · Licensing authority: RAKEZ Authority. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.

From

AED 6,000

Year 1 (estimated)

Quick facts

Registered companies40,000+
Banking difficultyModerate
Dependent visasAllowed

Pricing packages

Biz Starter Package (0 Visa)

AED 6,000

— · Flexi Desk · 0 visas

Renews at AED 6,000

Estimated

SME Business Set-Up (1 Visa)

AED 14,320

— · Flexi Desk · 1 visa

Renews at AED 14,320

SME Business Set-Up (2 Visas)

AED 18,640

— · Flexi Desk · 2 visas

Renews at AED 18,640

SME Business Set-Up (4 Visas)

AED 27,280

— · Flexi Desk · 4 visas

Renews at AED 27,280

Advisory Estimate

AED 11,400

— · 0 visas

Renews at AED 8,000

Estimated

RAKEZ visa, renewal and office costs

Typical setup costAED 8,500 – AED 16,000
Annual renewalAED 7,000 – AED 13,000
Visas per desk3
Most visas in a published package4 (SME Business Set-Up (4 Visas))
Dependent (family) visaAED 3,000
Minimum share capitalNone for a standard company
Office rentabout AED 130/sq ft a year
Warehouse rentabout AED 70/sq ft a year

Coworking/flexi options satisfy address requirements without a private office. Visa renewal every 2 years

Business activities in RAKEZ

RAKEZ suits trading, tech and media, industrial and logistics businesses. Confirm your exact activity is on the zone's list before you apply.

Crypto & Virtual AssetsSoftware & TechGeneral TradingHolding Company

Comparing with a mainland licence? Trading & Services · Transport, Storage & Logistics · IT & Media · Professional & Technical Services · Manufacturing · Construction & Contracting · Mining & Quarrying · Utilities & Energy

Features

Mainland trading

Yes

Dual licence allowed

Yes

Crypto-friendly

No

Shared ownership

Yes

Coworking available

Yes

Online portal

Yes

Audit required

Yes

Tax and compliance analysis

Substance

Medium

Audit risk

Standard

Forensic ease

7/10

Consolidated Industrial Node; Legacy License Migration Risk.

RAKEZ is a massive, dual-status jurisdiction spanning both Designated Zones (for manufacturing/logistics) and Non-Designated Zones (for services). For 2026, the primary forensic challenge is 'Intra-Zone Boundary Mapping.' Entities operating across different RAKEZ parks must precisely match their physical facility type to their revenue characterization. Co-mingling asset-light consulting income with asset-heavy manufacturing income under a single mixed-use desk package will trigger immediate FTA audit friction regarding core substance.

Statutory basis

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

  1. Legacy Audit: Comprehensive review of RAKIA/RAKFTZ legacy terms against 2026 statutory definitions
  2. Annual Financial Audit: Mandatory filing of audited accounts to substantiate QFZP 0% claims
  3. Physical Lease Verification: Documenting that industrial 'Core Income-Generating Activities' are performed within the RAK perimeter

Common pitfalls

  • 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

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Tax and compliance

RAKEZ tax status and QFZP rules →

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Activities

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Want help setting up in RAKEZ?

Leave your details and an adviser will call you back about setting up in Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. There's no charge to ask.

Common questions

How much does it cost to set up in RAKEZ?

The cheapest published package for Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone is Biz Starter Package (0 Visa) at AED 6,000 for Year 1, renewing at AED 6,000. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.

Is banking easy to set up with a RAKEZ licence?

Banking difficulty for RAKEZ is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), RAKBANK, National Bank of Fujairah (NBF), Mashreq Bank, Wio Bank, Emirates NBD.

How many visas can I get with a RAKEZ licence, and what do they cost?

RAKEZ allows 3 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 4 visas (SME Business Set-Up (4 Visas), AED 27,280 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 3,000. Visa renewal every 2 years

How much is the RAKEZ licence renewal each year?

Annual renewal runs from AED 7,000 to AED 13,000, depending on the package, office and visa count.

What is the minimum share capital in RAKEZ?

RAKEZ sets no minimum share capital for a standard company, though some activities and entity types carry their own requirement.

Do I need a physical office in RAKEZ?

Coworking/flexi options satisfy address requirements without a private office.

Can a RAKEZ company trade on the UAE mainland?

Not directly. A RAKEZ company trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a separate mainland licence.

RAKEZ might be right — or your business might need something else entirely

Tell Scout what your business does and how many visas you need. It prices every zone that can license you, this one included, from the fees each publishes. Your shortlist is free.

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