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RAKEZ Free ZoneCompany Formation
Set up with the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ): low-cost licences for industrial, trading and service businesses, with everything from flexi-desks to warehouses and industrial land.
- 100% Ownership
- Industrial Land
- Warehouses
- Low Setup Cost
- Bank Account Support
Published Updated
RAKEZ: Ras Al Khaimah’s economic zone for business and industry
RAKEZ was formed in 2017 by merging Ras Al Khaimah’s free trade zone and investment authority. It runs business, industrial and academic zones across the emirate, licensing everything from freelancers to large manufacturers.
RAKEZ is one of the few free zones that can offer an office, a warehouse and a plot of industrial land under one authority, at prices well below Dubai. That makes it a strong choice for manufacturers and traders, as well as for service businesses looking for a low-cost licence.
Best known for: industry, trading & low-cost licences
Why RAKEZ
RAKEZ covers the full range from a flexi-desk to a factory, at Ras Al Khaimah prices.
Industrial land & units
Land plots, ready-built warehouses and industrial units for manufacturers and logistics businesses.
Low-cost licences
Licence packages and rents generally below those of Dubai free zones.
Wide licence choice
Commercial, industrial, service, e-commerce, education and freelance licences from one authority.
Port & airport access
Close to Saqr Port and RAK International Airport, and about an hour from Dubai.
100% foreign ownership
Full ownership with no local partner, and profits and capital can be repatriated freely.
Business support services
In-house support for visas, banking and compliance helps companies get running quickly.
Ideal for
- Manufacturers & industrial SMEs
- Traders needing warehouses
- Logistics businesses
- Cost-conscious service companies
- Freelancers & sole founders
RAKEZ Licence Types
RAKEZ offers more licence types than most zones. The main three are below; e-commerce, education and freelance licences are also available.
Commercial Licence
For trading, import, export and distribution.
- General trading
- Building materials
- Food & beverage trading
- Machinery & equipment
- E-commerce
Industrial Licence
For manufacturing, processing and assembly on RAKEZ land or units.
- Light & heavy manufacturing
- Food processing
- Plastics & packaging
- Metal fabrication
- Building products
Service Licence
For consultancy and professional services.
- Business consultancy
- IT services
- Marketing services
- Logistics services
- Training
Legal Structures in RAKEZ
RAKEZ offers the usual free zone forms. Industrial investors often set up a branch of their parent company.
01
Single-Shareholder Free Zone Company
One individual or corporate owner, with liability limited to share capital. The usual start for solo founders.
02
Multi-Shareholder Free Zone Company
Two or more shareholders, individual or corporate, with shares and voting set in the Articles.
03
Branch of a Foreign Company
An overseas company operating in the zone under its own name, with the parent liable for the branch.
04
Branch of a UAE Company
A mainland or other free zone company adds a presence in the zone without forming a new entity.
How a RAKEZ Company Is Formed
Free zone setup is mostly online. We prepare and file each step with RAKEZ for you.
- 01
Choose Activities & Package
We match your business to RAKEZ’s activity list and pick the licence package and visa allocation that fits.
- 02
Reserve the Company Name
We check your name options against the zone’s naming rules and reserve the best one.
- 03
Submit the Application
Application forms, shareholder documents and any business profile filed with the zone, with compliance (KYC) checks.
- 04
Sign the Constitutional Documents
Articles of Association and resolutions signed, in person or by e-signature where the zone allows it.
- 05
Office or Flexi-Desk
Flexi-desk, office, warehouse or land, depending on your activity and the visas you need.
- 06
Licence Issued
RAKEZ issues the licence and certificate of incorporation, usually as digital documents.
- 07
Establishment Card, Visas & Bank
We open the immigration file, run investor and staff visas, and prepare the bank application in parallel.
Documents Required for RAKEZ Setup
What we need depends on whether each shareholder is a person or a company. Documents issued abroad must be notarised and attested for use in the UAE; we arrange this for you.
Individual Shareholders
- Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
- UAE visa or entry stamp, if any
- Emirates ID, if resident in the UAE
- Passport-size photo
- Three trade name options
- Proof of home address
- Short business profile, if requested
Corporate Shareholders
- Certificate of incorporation or trade licence
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Board resolution approving the RAKEZ company
- Certificate of good standing
- Passport copy of the appointed manager
- Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) declaration
Why Choose a RAKEZ Company
RAKEZ suits businesses that need physical space, or a licence at the lowest sensible cost.
100% foreign ownership
Possible 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income
Industrial land, warehouses and units available
Lower licence and rent costs than Dubai
Close to Saqr Port and RAK airport
Freelance and e-commerce licences
One authority from desk to factory
Tax & Compliance Position: RAKEZ
Companies in RAKEZ can pay 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income, but only if they meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions every year. We check this before you choose the zone, not after.
UAE Corporate Tax
0% on qualifying income · 9% on the rest
To be a Qualifying Free Zone Person, the company needs real substance in the zone, qualifying income, audited financial statements and arm’s-length dealings with related parties. Taxable income that doesn’t qualify is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Selling to mainland customers?Most mainland revenue isn’t qualifying income. If non-qualifying revenue passes 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower, QFZP status is lost for that year and the next four. We model this with you upfront.
UAE VAT
5% standard rate · same rules for services
Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 in 12 months and optional from AED 187,500. Free zone services are taxed exactly as they are on the mainland.
Designated zone statusSome free zones are VAT designated zones, where certain supplies of goods inside or between them fall outside UAE VAT. It never covers services. We confirm how RAKEZ’s status applies to your trade.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Corporate Tax return within 9 months of year end
- Audited financial statements (needed for QFZP status)
- VAT returns once registered
- Annual licence renewal with RAKEZ
- Office or flexi-desk lease renewed with the licence
- UBO register kept up to date
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023 & Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023 (Qualifying Free Zone Persons) · Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 (VAT) · Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
Where RAKEZ Companies Operate
RAKEZ hosts a strong industrial base alongside many service and trading companies.
Manufacturing
Trading
Logistics & Warehousing
Building Materials
Food Processing
E-commerce
Education & Training
Professional Services
The TMFS Advantage
We handle RAKEZ setups end to end, from activity selection and RAKEZ licensing to a banked, visa-ready company registered for Corporate Tax and VAT.
Activity & Licence Advice
Matching your business to the right RAKEZ activities and licence category.
Package & Office Choice
Flexi-desk, office or warehouse sized to the visas you need, so you don’t pay for space you won’t use.
Application & Constitutional Documents
Application forms, resolutions and Articles prepared and filed with the zone for you.
Corporate Bank Account
Your application prepared alongside the licence and matched across our 18 partner banks.
Investor & Staff Visas
Investor, partner and employee visas with medicals and Emirates ID.
QFZP & VAT Compliance
Corporate Tax and VAT registrations, audited accounts and the yearly checks that keep 0% status intact.
Why Founders Choose TMFS in RAKEZ
Three things clients mention most.
Free zones compared, not sold
We work across several free zones and recommend the one that fits your activity, visas and tax, not the one with the biggest commission.
One team, end to end
Licence, documents, premises, bank account, visas and tax with one consultant, from first call to renewal.
Written costs upfront
A written breakdown of government fees and our fee before you commit, with no surprises at renewal.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
RAKEZ suits industry and cost-conscious founders. Other zones offer a Dubai or Sharjah address.
UAE Free Zones Overview
How the UAE’s free zones compare on cost, activities, visas and tax. Start here to choose.
Read more
IFZA
Fast, cost-efficient consultancy and services licences. The usual first company for solo founders.
Read more
Meydan Free Zone
E-commerce and digital licences with a Dubai address and quick issuance.
Read moreSHAMS
Sharjah Media City. Media, creative and consultancy licences, plus freelance permits.
Read moreSPC Free Zone
Sharjah Publishing City. Low-cost setup for publishing, media and services.
Read more
Ajman Free Zone
Cost-efficient trading, industrial and services licences with warehouse options.
Read more
SRTIP
Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park. Tech, R&D and industrial licences.
Read moreDMCC
Commodities and trading hub with strong bank acceptance. We advise on DMCC structures.
Read moreDIFC
Common-law jurisdiction for finance, funds and holding structures. We advise on DIFC setups.
Read moreWhat Clients Say
Feedback from founders who set up with TMFS.
RAKEZ: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up a RAKEZ company.
Do I need to live in Ras Al Khaimah?
No. A RAKEZ visa lets you live anywhere in the UAE. Your licensed premises, if you have them, are in RAK.
Can RAKEZ companies get industrial land?
Yes. RAKEZ offers land plots, warehouses and ready-built industrial units, which few free zones can match.
RAKEZ or RAK mainland?
Choose RAKEZ for manufacturing, export and possible 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income. Choose mainland if you sell directly to UAE consumers or bid for local contracts. We compare both.
Does RAKEZ offer freelance licences?
Yes. RAKEZ has freelance options for individuals, as well as e-commerce and education licences.
Will my RAKEZ company pay 0% Corporate Tax?
Only on qualifying income, and only if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions every year. Qualifying manufacturing and export can count; other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Can you open the company bank account?
Yes. We prepare the bank application alongside the licence and match it to the partner bank most likely to approve your profile.
Verification & independence
Checked against publicly available RAKEZ and UAE federal sources in October 2026. Time Machine Financial Services is independent of RAKEZ and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah or any UAE authority.
Activity lists, package prices, approvals and tax rules change. Confirm the current position for your activity with RAKEZ and the Federal Tax Authority, or ask us, before acting on this page.
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- The consultant you speak to stays on your file
- A straight answer on structure, cost and timeline
- A reply within one working day
- A free 20-minute consultation
Ready to Set Up in RAKEZ?
Talk to a TMFS consultant about a RAKEZ licence, from a flexi-desk to a warehouse or factory, with banking and tax set up alongside.
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