RAKEZ Company Setup Licence, Cost, and Steps

RAKEZ is located in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, roughly one hour from Dubai by road. The zone operates from two main sites: the Al Hamra Industrial Zone for manufacturing and industrial companies, and the Academic Zone and Business Park for service and commercial businesses.

Ras Al Khaimah sits at the northern end of the UAE, bordered by the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Gulf. The emirate has its own international airport and a deepwater port at Saqr Port, which suits companies that import raw materials or export finished goods.

RAK FTZ (Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone) merged with RAK Investment Authority in 2017 to form RAKEZ. All companies that were registered under RAK FTZ now fall under the RAKEZ authority. The merger unified the licencing, regulation, and service delivery for all economic zone companies in Ras Al Khaimah.

For new company registrations, you apply directly to RAKEZ. The distinction between RAK FTZ and RAK Investment Authority is historical and does not affect the current licencing process or the licence types available.

A RAKEZ company is typically licenced within 3 to 5 working days once the documents are ready. Much of the process can be completed remotely with attested passport copies and a signed application form.

Your residence visa follows the licence and adds a further one to three weeks, since it involves an entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, and stamping. Founders who already hold UAE residence can register a company without applying for a new visa, which cuts the total setup time.

Yes, RAKEZ companies open UAE corporate bank accounts. The bank's compliance review considers the company's activity, expected transactions, and the owner's profile, not just the zone name.

RAKEZ carries a Ras Al Khaimah address, and some banks apply additional scrutiny during onboarding compared with Dubai-based free zones. Bizstart prepares the account file and introduces you to the bank most likely to approve your activity and profile, which helps offset the address factor.

Yes, RAKEZ offers warehouse units, industrial plots, and production facilities through the Al Hamra Industrial Zone. Facility sizes range from small storage units to large manufacturing plots, and the lease cost depends on the size, type, and location within the zone.

This is one of the main differences between RAKEZ and service-oriented free zones like SHAMS or IFZA, which primarily offer desk space and virtual offices. Companies that need physical production or storage capacity find RAKEZ more practical and typically more affordable than industrial options in Dubai.

According to the UAE Federal Tax Authority, UAE companies pay 9% corporate tax on annual taxable profit above AED 375,000 and 0% below, while free zone companies keep 0% on qualifying income and 9% on non-qualifying income.

Every company, including RAKEZ companies, registers for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority even when the expected tax is zero. According to the 2021 Commercial Companies Law, this sits alongside 100% foreign ownership for most activities, so tax and ownership work the same way whichever emirate or zone you choose.