RAKEZ Company Setup: A Complete Guide to Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
From a flexi desk to a warehouse or industrial plot, RAKEZ offers room to start small and scale. Here is how the setup works and who it suits best.
A RAKEZ company setup is one of the most flexible ways to establish a business in the UAE. Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) serves start-ups, SMEs and large manufacturers, with facilities ranging from flexi desks to offices, warehouses and industrial land, all under one authority.
Amwaj Al Bahr is a proud RAKEZ Circle Awards winner, recognised for business partnership and client service. In this guide we share what founders should know before they apply.
Why choose RAKEZ for your company?
RAKEZ is a broad economic zone rather than a single-sector Free Zone. That breadth is its main strength:
- Wide range of activities across commercial, service, e-commerce, general trading, media, educational, professional and industrial categories
- Facilities that grow with you, from a flexi desk to warehouses and industrial plots
- 100% foreign ownership for Free Zone companies
- Competitive operating costs compared with many Dubai jurisdictions
- Good road links to Sharjah, Dubai and the northern emirates, plus nearby ports
RAKEZ licence types
Your licence type depends on the activities you select. The main categories are:
| Licence | Typical activities |
|---|---|
| Commercial | Trading, import and export, general trading |
| Service / Professional | Consultancy, marketing, IT and business services |
| E-commerce | Online stores and digital trading platforms |
| Media and Educational | Content, publishing, training and education services |
| Industrial | Manufacturing, processing, assembly and packaging |
Some activities can be combined on one licence, while others need separate approvals. Confirm your exact combination before you apply.
RAKEZ facility options
Flexi desk and shared offices
A cost-effective starting point for consultants, traders and service businesses that do not need a dedicated office.
Serviced and dedicated offices
Private workspace for growing teams, usually with a higher visa allocation than a flexi desk.
Warehouses
Suitable for trading and e-commerce businesses that need storage and distribution space.
Industrial land and factory units
For manufacturers who need production space and long-term growth room in RAKEZ's industrial zones.
Activity groups and facility requirements should be confirmed before application. Some industrial and trading activities require a minimum facility size.
RAKEZ company setup step by step
- Consultation: define your activity, ownership structure, visa needs and facility.
- Select activities and package: choose the licence category and the matching facility.
- Reserve the trade name and choose the legal form, such as an FZ-LLC or a branch.
- Submit the application with shareholder details and documents.
- Sign the lease and pay fees for the licence and facility.
- Receive the licence and incorporation documents.
- Complete post-licence steps: establishment card, immigration file, investor and employee visas, Emirates ID and a corporate bank account.
Our PRO services handle the visa and immigration stages, so your team can start working without delay.
Documents required for a RAKEZ company setup
- Passport copies for shareholders and manager
- Recent personal photographs where required
- Proposed company and trade names
- Selected business activities
- Current UAE visa or entry details, if applicable
- Business plan or external approval for selected activities
- Attested corporate documents for corporate shareholders
Tax and ongoing compliance
A RAKEZ company is not automatically exempt from UAE corporate tax or VAT. Every company must complete UAE corporate tax registration, and Qualifying Free Zone Persons must meet specific conditions to benefit from 0% on qualifying income. Plan annual licence and lease renewals as well, as explained in our trade license renewal guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is RAKEZ?
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is the economic zone authority of Ras Al Khaimah. It licenses Free Zone and non-Free Zone companies across commercial, service, e-commerce, media, educational, professional and industrial activities.
Do I need to live in Ras Al Khaimah to set up a RAKEZ company?
No. Many RAKEZ company owners live and work in Sharjah, Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE. Your workspace and activity determine the facility you need, and some activities may have location-based requirements.
Can a RAKEZ company have warehouses or industrial land?
Yes. RAKEZ is one of the few authorities offering flexi desks, offices, warehouses and industrial land within one zone, which makes it suitable for manufacturers and traders who need to scale.
How many visas can a RAKEZ company get?
Visa allocation depends on the package and facility you choose. Larger offices and warehouses generally support more visas than a flexi desk. Confirm the allocation before you select a package.
Start your RAKEZ company with an award-winning partner
A RAKEZ company setup suits businesses that want flexible activities today and space to grow tomorrow. As a RAKEZ Circle Awards winner based in Sharjah, Amwaj Al Bahr guides you from activity selection to licence, visas and bank account. Compare RAKEZ with other jurisdictions on our Free Zones page, or request a free consultation.
Packages, fees, activities and visa allocations are set by RAKEZ and may change. Confirm current terms before applying.
