Dubai International Advisory Consultants
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Dubai International Advisory Consultants
Start your business setup in RAKEZ Free Zone, UAE, and enjoy 100% foreign ownership, tax benefits, and a cost-effective company formation process. This guide to rakez company setup covers costs, required documents, and the exact registration steps.
Looking to set up your business in the UAE? RAKEZ Free Zone is one of the most dynamic and cost-effective business hubs, offering 100% foreign ownership, a competitive tax position, and access to established infrastructure. At Dubai International Advisory Consultants, we make the rak free zone company formation process fast, hassle-free, and affordable so you can focus on growing your business while we handle the paperwork.
RAKEZ is now home to over 40,000 companies from more than 100 countries, with 19,000 new company registrations in 2025 alone, a 44% increase over the previous year. It’s a base for startups, SMEs, and large enterprises expanding into the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Whether you’re launching an e-commerce store, trading company, or manufacturing unit, RAKEZ’s six specialised zones and choice of free-zone or non-free-zone structures give you options most single-purpose zones can’t match.
If you’re ready to set up your company with RAKEZ Free Zone, Dubai International Advisory Consultants can handle the process from activity selection through to license delivery.
If you’re comparing cost-effective places to set up your company in the UAE, RAKEZ Free Zone is worth including in that comparison. Here’s why so many companies choose RAKEZ:
No local sponsor is required, giving you full control of your business.
An eligible Qualifying Free Zone Person may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, subject to meeting all applicable conditions. Taxable income that does not qualify may be subject to the standard 9% rate. There is no personal income tax in the UAE.
Get access to global markets, with connectivity to the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
One of the more budget-friendly free zones for entry-level packages, worth comparing directly against other zones for your specific activity.
RAKEZ supports more than 3,000 permitted business activities, whether you’re in trading, manufacturing, consulting, or e-commerce.
Visa options including the UAE Golden Visa for qualifying investors, co-working spaces, private offices, and warehouses, depending on your package and facility.
With six specialised zones, more than 40,000 companies, and both free-zone and non-free-zone licensing options, RAKEZ offers a genuinely broad platform for launching or scaling a business in the UAE.
RAKEZ operates across six dedicated zones in Ras Al Khaimah, each designed for specific business types, per RAKEZ’s official zone directory:
Your DIAC consultant will recommend the right zone based on your business activity, budget, and operational needs.
Starting a rak free zone company setup is a structured, cost-effective process. Whether you’re launching a startup, SME, or multinational company, here’s a step-by-step guide:
The first step is to decide what type of business you want to run. RAKEZ offers a wide range of business activities across more than 3,000 categories, including trading, manufacturing, consulting, education, media, and e-commerce. Choosing the right activity ensures you get the appropriate business license and can operate legally in the UAE.
Decide on the legal framework for your company. RAKEZ currently offers:
Each structure has its benefits, so choosing the right one depends on your business goals and expansion plans. See RAKEZ’s official legal entity guidance for the current full detail on each structure.
Once you’ve finalized your business activity and structure, it’s time to apply for your RAKEZ license. Document requirements vary by structure, see the Documents section below for a general guide.
RAKEZ authorities will review and process your application, ensuring it aligns with UAE regulations.
After submitting your documents, RAKEZ will conduct a compliance check. If everything is in order, you’ll receive an initial approval, allowing you to move forward with your business setup.
Every business in RAKEZ must have a registered office address. RAKEZ offers flexible workspace options, including:
Depending on your business type, our team can help you find the best option for your operational needs.
Once your application is approved and your office space is secured, you’ll need to pay the RAKEZ licensing fees. The cost varies depending on the license type, business activity, and additional services required. After payment, you’ll receive your RAKEZ business license.
After licensing, the company may apply for a UAE corporate bank account. We support document preparation and suitable bank introductions, but final approval remains subject to the bank’s own KYC, source-of-funds, and compliance review. Our accounting services team assists with bookkeeping and financial compliance post-setup, and our PRO services team coordinates the visa and Emirates ID steps that typically run alongside account opening.
Once the licence and any required external approvals are issued, the company can begin its permitted business activities. Depending on your activity, this may also involve customs registration, sector-specific permits, or facility inspection before full operations begin.
The following documents are required to register a company in RAKEZ Free Zone:
If your documents include trademark registrations or existing company certificates, our trademark registration team can assist with verification and UAE protection.
Rak free zone company setup cost depends on your license type, visa count, and office requirement. Here is a general, indicative breakdown:
| Package Type | License Cost | Visa Quota | Office | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Freelance / Sole Establishment |
From approximately AED 6,000/year |
Package-dependent |
Flexi-desk |
1 activity |
|
Starter Business Package |
Approximately AED 11,000–13,000/year |
Package-dependent |
Flexi-desk / Shared |
Up to 3 activities |
|
Professional / Service License |
Approximately AED 13,000–16,000/year |
Package-dependent |
Private office option |
Multiple activities |
|
Commercial / Trading License |
Approximately AED 14,000–18,000/year |
Package-dependent |
Office or warehouse |
Trading + storage |
|
Industrial License |
Approximately AED 18,000–35,000/year |
Package-dependent |
Warehouse / industrial land |
Manufacturing + storage |
| Feature | RAKEZ | IFZA | DMCC | Ajman Free Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License Cost | From approximately AED 6,000 | From approximately AED 12,900 | From approximately AED 50,000+ | From approximately AED 6,500 |
| Location | Ras Al Khaimah | Dubai (Silicon Oasis) | Dubai (Jumeirah Lakes Towers) | Ajman |
| Business Activities | 3,000+ | 1,500+ | 2,500+ | 1,000+ |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate Tax | Qualifying Free Zone Persons may receive 0% on qualifying income; 9% otherwise | Qualifying Free Zone Persons may receive 0% on qualifying income; 9% otherwise | Qualifying Free Zone Persons may receive 0% on qualifying income; 9% otherwise | Qualifying Free Zone Persons may receive 0% on qualifying income; 9% otherwise |
| Physical Office Required | Flexi-desk OK | Flexi-desk OK | Office required | Flexi-desk OK |
| Bank Account Support | Application support available | Application support available | Application support available | Application support available |
| Visa Quota | Depends on package and facility | Depends on package | Depends on office | Depends on package and facility |
| Best For | Startups, manufacturing, e-commerce | E-commerce, consulting, tech | Commodities, trading, finance | Budget startups |
| DIAC Setup Support | Full service | Full service | Full service | Full service |
RAKEZ supports 3,000+ business activities across multiple categories, and this is where rakez freezone flexibility stands out most. Here are the most popular license types our clients set up:
Ideal for businesses selling products online. Includes the right to import, store, and export goods. A RAKEZ e-commerce license starts from approximately AED 11,000/year and includes a flexi-desk and UAE visa eligibility, subject to your package; a corporate bank account can then be applied for separately, with approval decided by the bank.
For businesses buying and selling physical goods locally or internationally. RAKEZ trading licenses cover general trading, specific commodity trading (electronics, textiles, foodstuffs), and re-export operations.
RAKEZ is one of the few UAE free zones with purpose-built industrial infrastructure, warehouses, factories, and industrial land, at competitive rates. Suited to light manufacturing and heavy industry.
Setting up in RAKEZ Free Zone means access to six specialised zones, more than 40,000 companies in its community, and both free-zone and non-free-zone licensing structures. Here’s why RAKEZ stands out:
RAKEZ offers some of the more competitive entry-level business setup packages among UAE free zones, worth comparing directly for your specific activity. With flexible office solutions, businesses can start small and scale up as they grow.
Unlike mainland businesses that require a local sponsor, RAKEZ Free Zone allows 100% foreign ownership. This means you have full control over your company’s decisions, operations, and profits.
An eligible Qualifying Free Zone Person may benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, with the standard 9% rate applying to income that doesn’t qualify, and full profit repatriation. For UAE VAT registration and compliance, our VAT consultants can guide you through registration and filing requirements.
If you are considering both a free zone and an offshore structure, explore our RAK offshore company formation guide for the requirements and costs specific to an offshore entity.
Get your RAKEZ Free Zone business license with Dubai International Advisory Consultants. Our team supports the process from activity selection through to license delivery. Contact us today to get started.
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