VAZONE Expert Guide

Business Setup in RAKEZ Free Zone

Setting up a business in RAKEZ Free Zone offers a cost-effective, flexible, and business-friendly environment in the UAE. With 100% foreign ownership, multiple license types (trade, industrial, e-commerce, freelance), fast company formation, and flexible visa options, RAKEZ is ideal for startups, SMEs, and industrial ventures. Its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and supportive policies make it a top choice for businesses seeking regional and global growth.

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ Free Zone)

RAKEZ Free Zone, or Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, is one of the UAE’s most attractive business hubs. Strategically located near key ports and airports, it provides easy access to regional and global markets. Entrepreneurs, SMEs, and industrial firms choose RAKEZ for:

Low setup costs
100% foreign ownership
Flexible visa options
World-class infrastructure
Business-friendly environment

Whether you want to start a RAKEZ e-commerce license, freelance permit, or a full RAKEZ company formation, this guide covers every step, cost, and benefit to help you make an informed decision.

✅ Explore VA Zone Services: Company Setup & Formation | Visa Services

What is RAKEZ Free Zone?

RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is a government-owned free zone established to unify and expand the services of RAK Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) and RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA). Today, it is a major industrial and commercial powerhouse supporting:

50+ business sectors
18,000+ registered companies
Entrepreneurs from 100+ nationalities

Located in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, RAKEZ provides:

Direct access to the GCC region
Connectivity to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe
Easy access to RAK airports, ports, and Dubai’s logistics routes

RAKEZ is recognized for its:

Low business setup cost
Fast registration and licensing
Flexible visa packages
Modern infrastructure & industrial zones
Strong investor support system

It is especially popular among startups, freelancers, trading companies, industrial manufacturers, and service providers seeking an affordable free zone with excellent facilities.

Benefits of Setting Up a Business in RAKEZ Free Zone

RAKEZ Free Zone offers a powerful ecosystem designed for business growth. Key benefits include:

Cost-Effective Business Setup

No paid-up capital requirement
Lowest license packages in the UAE (starting from budget-friendly rates)
Flexi-desk & shared office options to reduce overheads

Tax Advantages

0% Personal Income Tax
0% Withholding Tax
0% Import & Export Duties within the Free Zone
Access to 0% Corporate Tax for eligible Qualifying Free Zone Persons

100% Foreign Ownership

No local sponsor required—full control of your business, profits, and decisions.

Wide Range of Business Activities

Choose from more than 1,000+ approved activities, including trading, manufacturing, logistics, media, education, consultancy, and more.

Strategic Location

Located near:

RAK International Airport
RAK Port & Saqr Port
Direct road access to Dubai & GCC countries

Ideal for import, export, retail, logistics, and manufacturing operations.

World-Class Infrastructure

Warehouses
Industrial land
Offices
Flexi desks
Staff accommodation
High-speed digital systems

Simplified Processes

Quick approvals
Online portal for document submission
Fast visa issuance
Smooth license renewals

Investor Support & Growth Ecosystem

RAKEZ’s dedicated team provides:

Business advisory
Legal compliance support
Startup assistance
Licensing flexibility

Features of RAKEZ Company Registration

RAKEZ is built for entrepreneurs who want fast, flexible, and affordable setup options.

Major Features Include:

Company formation in 1–5 business days

Minimal documentation

0% Income & Withholding Tax

Full foreign ownership

Fast visa processing

Investor Residency Visa eligibility

Easy business bank account opening

Multi-year licensing options

Flexible office
/warehouse solutions

RAKEZ Business Setup Packages

Business setup packages in RAKEZ start from as low as AED 5,699 for a Zero Visa License, depending on:

Number of shareholders
Business activity
Visa quota
Office/facility requirement
Type of license
Additional services (VAT, corporate tax, compliance)

VA Zone RAKEZ Business Setup Packages – Comparison Table (Silver | Gold | Platinum)

Features	Silver Package	Gold Package	Platinum Package
Business Consultation	✅	✅	✅
100% Foreign Ownership	✅	✅	✅
Business License – 1 Year	✅	✅	✅
Company Structure	LLC	LLC	LLC
Allowed Activity Types	Service / Consulting / Trading	Service / Consulting / Trading / E-Commerce	Service / Consulting / Trading / E-Commerce
Renewal Alerts (License, Visa, Emirates ID)	✅	✅	✅
Flexi Desk / Flexi Office Access	✅	✅	✅
Visa Allocation	❌	1 Lifetime Visa	1 Lifetime Visa
Medical Fitness Test (Owner/Investor)	❌	✅	✅
Biometric Processing (Owner/Shareholder)	❌	✅	✅
Bank Account Opening Support	❌	❌	✅
Corporate Tax Registration	❌	❌	✅
VAT Registration	❌	❌	✅
Accounting & Bookkeeping	❌	❌	✅
Annual Support (License, Visa, Immigration & Labor)	❌	❌	✅
Compliance Services (ESR / UBO / AML)	❌	❌	✅
Financial Audit	❌	❌	✅
VAT Return Filing	❌	❌	✅
Corporate Tax Return Filing	❌	❌	✅
Standard Pricing	AED 5,999	AED 12,000	AED 49,500

Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone

Ras Al Khaimah is known for its business-friendly environment, advanced infrastructure, and strong industrial base. RAKEZ is the emirate’s main free zone authority that provides a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurs. It supports thousands of companies from over 100+ countries with a safe, secure, and regulated business setup framework.

Different Types of Licenses in RAKEZ Free Zone

Commercial License

Allows trading of goods and services within the UAE and internationally.

General Trading License

Enables trading of a wide variety of goods under a single license.

Media
License

Perfect for media, advertising, production, and creative businesses.

Educational License

For training institutes, consultancy centers, and educational services.

Individual/Professional License

Ideal for individuals offering specialized services or consultancy.

Service License

For service-oriented businesses such as marketing, IT, HR, and management services.

E-commerce License

Allows online business operations, digital platforms, and online retail.

Industrial License

For manufacturing, packaging, and industrial activities requiring facilities.

Freelance Permit

A cost-effective permit for individuals working independently.

Legal Structure Under RAKEZ Free Zone

RAKEZ offers flexible legal structures that allow investors to set up their businesses with 100% foreign ownership, limited liability protection, and a simplified company formation process. Whether you are a solo entrepreneur, a partnership, or an international company expanding into the UAE, RAKEZ provides two primary free zone structures and one branch option.

Why Legal Structure Matters in RAKEZ

Your choice of business structure determines:

Shareholding rights
Capital requirements
Corporate tax and accounting obligations
Visa eligibility
Banking approval
Expansion possibilities
Investor protection and liability

Making the right choice from the start ensures long-term stability and compliance.

Available Legal Structures in RAKEZ Free Zone

RAKEZ provides two main legal structures, each designed for different business goals and shareholder setups.

Free Zone Establishment (FZE)

A single-shareholder company ideal for individuals and small businesses.
Key Highlights:

1 shareholder (individual or corporate)
Limited liability
Minimum capital requirement: AED 100,000 (no deposit proof required)
Suitable for service, trading, e-commerce, consultancy, and light industrial activities

Free Zone LLC (FZ-LLC)

A multi-shareholder company designed for SMEs and growing businesses.
Key Highlights:

2–50 shareholders
Limited liability with 100% foreign ownership
Capital requirement: AED 100,000
Suitable for larger operations, trading, industrial and commercial activities

Branch of a Local or Foreign Company

Best for companies wanting a UAE presence without forming a new entity.
Key Highlights:

Operates under the parent company name
No minimum capital requirement
100% ownership by parent company
Fast and cost-efficient setup

Non-Free Zone Options Under RAKEZ

For investors who require UAE mainland access:

Individual Establishment

Owned by 1 individual
Requires UAE national as service agent
Best for small professional activities

LLC (Mainland Structure)

2–50 shareholders
Requires UAE national partner
Flexible for full mainland operations

Which RAKEZ Structure Should You Choose?

Structure	Shareholders	Ownership	Capital	Best For
FZE	1	100% expat	AED 100,000	Solo founders
FZ-LLC	2–50	100% expat	AED 100,000	SMEs
Branch	Parent company	100% parent	None	Global expansion
Mainland LLC	2–50	Local Partner	Based on activity	UAE mainland operations

Required Documents for RAKEZ Company Setup

To register your business in the RAKEZ Free Zone, you must provide specific documents based on whether the shareholder is an individual or a corporate entity. Below is a simplified, easy-to-follow breakdown.

Documents for Individual Shareholders

Mandatory Requirements:

Valid passport copy (minimum 6 months validity)
UAE visa page copy (if currently applicable)
Emirates ID copy (if applicable)
Recent passport-size photographs
Completed Personal Information Sheet / Application Form
Three preferred company name options

Documents for Corporate Shareholders