RAKEZ Company Formation
Set up your business in Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone with options for Free Zone and non-Free Zone entities, broad licence categories, flexible activity combinations, coworking and office solutions, warehouses, industrial land and a distinctive Dual Licence route for eligible mainland expansion.
From Freelancers and SMEs to Manufacturing and Logistics
RAKEZ covers a wider operating spectrum than many licence-focused Free Zones. The right setup can be very different for a consultant, general trader, warehouse operator or manufacturer.
Consultants & Services
Professional and service licences support consultants, specialist service providers and other knowledge-based businesses.
SME-friendlyTrading & E-Commerce
Commercial, e-commerce and general trading licences support approved goods and service trading models.
Commercial routeManufacturing & Industry
Industrial licences, warehouses and land-development options make RAKEZ especially relevant to production and industrial projects.
Industrial strengthFreelancers
RAKEZ offers a Freelancer Permit for eligible media, education, IT and analytical professional activities.
Individual routeA Broad RAKEZ Licence Portfolio
RAKEZ currently lists multiple Free Zone licence categories, allowing the licence to be matched to the real business activity rather than forcing very different companies into the same structure.
Commercial
For approved trading in goods and services.
E-Commerce
For trading goods and services through electronic channels.
General Trading
For broader trading across multiple approved goods categories.
Professional / Service
For professional services, consultancies and specialist service activities.
Industrial
For manufacturing, importing, packaging and exporting products.
Educational
For approved education-related institutions or consultancy activities.
Media
For approved media-related business activities.
Freelancer Permit
For eligible individual professionals in media, education, IT and analytical fields.
One of RAKEZ's Most Useful Expansion Routes
RAKEZ's Dual Licence structure was created with Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development to allow eligible Free Zone companies to operate in both the economic zone and Ras Al Khaimah mainland without setting up a separate legal entity.
RAKEZ Free Zone Licence
The existing Free Zone company keeps its RAKEZ licence and legal entity.
RAK DED Branch Licence
The mainland element is structured as a “Branch of a Free Zone Company” licence issued by Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development.
No Additional Mainland Facility
RAKEZ states that eligible dual-licence holders can use the same RAKEZ office rather than renting an additional facility on the mainland.
RAKEZ Can Scale With the Physical Business
RAKEZ offers everything from coworking and small offices to warehouses, industrial plots and workforce accommodation. This is a major advantage for businesses that expect their physical requirements to grow.
Coworking & Flexi Facilities
Shared desks and shared offices provide a low-overhead entry route for eligible commercial, service and general-trading businesses.
Private Offices
Serviced, standard, executive and shell-and-core offices are available for businesses needing a dedicated corporate presence.
Warehouses
Customisable warehouses currently start from 150 m² and can support storage, assembly and light manufacturing, subject to activity approval.
Land for Development
RAKEZ offers land plots for industrial, logistics and service-industry projects, with current published plot sizes starting from 2,500 m².
A Real Industrial Platform in Ras Al Khaimah
RAKEZ operates dedicated industrial zones for businesses requiring warehousing, utilities, heavy manufacturing, land and logistics connectivity.
Al Hamra Industrial Zone
Suitable for a range of light-to-heavy industrial operations, with proximity to Ras Al Khaimah's urban and logistics infrastructure.
Al Ghail Industrial Zone
Built for substantial industrial and manufacturing activity, with warehouses and land suited to larger operating requirements.
Al Hulaila Industrial Zone
A heavy-industry location close to Saqr Port, with industrial land, warehouses and workforce-accommodation options.
Free Zone, Non-Free Zone or Branch
RAKEZ's current setup framework lets investors select the legal entity, licence type and facility before filing the application.
Free Zone Entity
Suitable for investors who want a RAKEZ Free Zone company with 100% foreign ownership and the Free Zone operating framework.
Non-Free Zone Entity
RAKEZ also supports non-Free Zone entity formation for businesses whose operating model is better aligned with the Ras Al Khaimah mainland framework.
Branch
Existing companies can use branch structures where the parent company and proposed activity meet the applicable requirements.
Strong Documentation Matters More Than the Licence Name
RAKEZ can provide a practical and credible base, but bank approval remains entirely at the selected bank's discretion after KYC, AML, source-of-funds and business-risk assessment.
Business Plan & Activity
Explain what the company does, the products or services, expected turnover, customers, suppliers and why the banking relationship is needed.
Shareholders & Source of Funds
Banks may review the shareholders, UBOs, residence, professional background, source of wealth and source of funds.
Trading & Geographic Flow
General trading and international businesses should clearly explain goods, transaction countries, counterparties and expected payment routes.
RAKEZ Free Zone Does Not Automatically Mean 0% Corporate Tax
UAE Corporate Tax applies to Free Zone entities under the federal tax framework. Preferential treatment depends on the entity qualifying as a Qualifying Free Zone Person and the relevant income being Qualifying Income.
0% on Qualifying Income
A Qualifying Free Zone Person can benefit from 0% Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income where all statutory conditions are satisfied.
9% Where Preferential Treatment Does Not Apply
Non-qualifying taxable income and entities outside the preferential Free Zone regime are subject to the applicable UAE Corporate Tax rules.
VAT Is Separate
VAT registration and transaction treatment depend on taxable supplies, imports and the VAT rules. Free Zone status by itself does not remove VAT obligations.
Select, Apply, Approve, Licence, Operate
Select
Choose Free Zone/non-Free Zone structure, licence, activities and facility.
Apply
Complete the application and submit shareholder and business documents.
Review
Complete RAKEZ compliance and any activity-specific regulatory approvals.
Pay & Licence
Settle applicable authority/facility charges and receive the licence and registration set.
Operate
Proceed with visas, banking, tax, office/warehouse and other operational requirements.
When RAKEZ Has the Edge — and When Another Jurisdiction May Be Better
Choose RAKEZ When...
You value competitive operating economics, Free Zone/mainland flexibility, industrial facilities, warehousing or an ability to scale from a lean setup into larger physical operations.
Compare Another Free Zone When...
Your business benefits more from a specialised Dubai financial, commodities, media, aviation or other sector ecosystem, or when a Dubai address is commercially essential.
Consider Non-Free Zone / Dual Licence When...
Your customers and operations are substantially on the Ras Al Khaimah mainland. RAKEZ's non-Free Zone and Dual Licence options can then be more relevant than a pure Free Zone structure.
RAKEZ Company Formation FAQs
What is RAKEZ?
RAKEZ is Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, a Government of Ras Al Khaimah economic-zone authority supporting Free Zone and non-Free Zone company formation, business facilities and industrial operations.
Can a foreign investor own 100% of a RAKEZ Free Zone company?
Yes. RAKEZ Free Zone entities allow 100% foreign ownership, subject to the applicable legal and activity requirements.
What licence types does RAKEZ offer?
RAKEZ currently lists Commercial, Educational, E-Commerce, General Trading, Individual/Professional, Industrial, Media, Professional, Service and Freelancer Permit categories within its licence framework.
What is the RAKEZ Dual Licence?
It combines the RAKEZ Free Zone licence with a “Branch of a Free Zone Company” licence issued by Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development, allowing eligible businesses to operate in both jurisdictions without forming a separate mainland company.
Do I need another mainland office for the Dual Licence?
RAKEZ states that eligible Dual Licence holders can operate using the same RAKEZ physical office without leasing an additional mainland facility, subject to the applicable Dual Licence conditions.
Does RAKEZ offer warehouses and industrial land?
Yes. RAKEZ currently offers warehouses from 150 m² and land for development for industrial, logistics and service-industry projects. Published land options start from 2,500 m², depending on the zone and project.
Is RAKEZ suitable for heavy manufacturing?
Yes, depending on the project. RAKEZ operates dedicated industrial zones including Al Hulaila, which is positioned for heavy industry and is located near Saqr Port.
Does a RAKEZ Free Zone company automatically get 0% Corporate Tax?
No. 0% applies to Qualifying Income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person where the UAE Corporate Tax conditions are met. The company should be assessed based on its actual activities, income and transactions.
Is RAKEZ the Right Base for Your UAE Business?
Tell BizCafe your activities, shareholders, visas, mainland requirements, expected customers, banking profile and whether you need an office, warehouse, industrial land or a future Dual Licence. We will assess the RAKEZ route that best matches the actual business.