RAKEZ company setup means registering a free zone company with the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, the emirate's economic zone authority, which licenses trading, service, e-commerce and industrial businesses with facilities from a flexi-desk to a factory unit. It suits founders who want room to grow without changing zones. Wordcraft files the application and handles the visas and the document work.
Is RAKEZ Right for You?
| Question | RAKEZ answer |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | Manufacturers, traders, e-commerce sellers and cost-conscious service companies |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, shared or private office, warehouse, industrial unit or land |
| Typical activities | General trading, industrial production, logistics, consultancy, IT, e-commerce, training |
| Remote setup | Largely possible; visa medical and biometrics need you in the UAE |
| Visas | Linked to the facility you lease |
| Selling on the UAE mainland | Through a distributor, a mainland branch or a separate mainland license |
RAKEZ is less of a fit if most of your customers are walk-in buyers in Dubai; a mainland license is then usually simpler. Ras Al Khaimah is roughly an hour's drive from Dubai, and many RAKEZ companies serve clients across the UAE and the region. For background, read RAKEZ and the advantages it offers entrepreneurs.
License Categories at RAKEZ
| License category | Suitable for |
|---|---|
| Commercial / general trading | Import, export, distribution and trading of goods |
| Services and consultancy | Consulting, IT, marketing, design and other professional services |
| Industrial | Manufacturing, processing, assembly and packaging |
| E-commerce | Online sale of goods and services |
| Education and training | Training institutes and educational services, subject to approvals |
RAKEZ sets and updates the categories and activity lists, and some activities need another authority's pre-approval. We confirm the current options for your activity codes and whether related activities can share one license.
Choosing a Facility by Visa Count
Your visa allocation follows the facility, so the facility should follow your hiring plan. A flexi-desk covers a founder and a small team; a serviced or private office covers growing teams; a warehouse, industrial unit or plot covers trading, logistics and manufacturing. We size it so you neither pay for unused space nor run out of visas mid-year.
Selling to UAE Customers and Opening a Bank Account
A RAKEZ license covers trade inside the free zone and internationally. Selling directly to UAE mainland customers generally needs a distributor, a branch or a separate mainland license; the RAK mainland route is explained on business setup in Ras Al Khaimah. UAE banks review each company individually and usually ask for a business plan, shareholder profiles and proof of substance; we prepare that file through company bank account support.
Qualifying Free Zone Person Status
A RAKEZ company pays 0% corporate tax only on qualifying income, and only while it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, including real substance in the zone. Other taxable income is taxed at the standard 9% introduced in June 2023. A registered tax agent should assess and file this; Wordcraft does not provide tax services.
What RAKEZ Asks Shareholders For
- Passport of each shareholder, director and the manager, plus UAE visa and Emirates ID for residents
- A recent photo and proof of residential address
- A short business plan or activity description if RAKEZ asks
- For a company shareholder: certificate of incorporation, MOA/AOA, board resolution and good standing certificate, attested in the home country and at the UAE embassy, then translated where required
Filing a RAKEZ Application with Us
- Tell us the activities and visa count on WhatsApp or at the branch; the written quote names the license category and facility within 10–30 minutes.
- We obtain name and activity approval and submit the RAKEZ application with the lease agreement.
- Any attestation or translation runs alongside, and you follow each stage in online tracking.
- After the license: establishment card, visas and the bank account file.
Official source: RAKEZ. Comparing zones? See the UAE free zones comparison, and for yearly work after setup, our PRO services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up a RAKEZ company without visiting Ras Al Khaimah?
Most of the process can be done remotely, and originals are collected and delivered free. Visa medicals and biometrics need you in the UAE, and we say in the quote what needs your presence.
How many visas can a RAKEZ company get?
It depends on the facility: a flexi-desk carries fewer visas than an office, and a warehouse usually more. We match the facility to the visas you need.
Can a RAKEZ company trade with mainland UAE customers?
It can trade internationally and within the zone. Direct sales to the mainland usually need a distributor, a branch or a mainland license.
Is RAKEZ good for manufacturing?
Yes. Its industrial parks offer warehouses, factory units and land, which is a main reason manufacturers choose it.
Do I need to attest my company documents?
A corporate shareholder from abroad does: home-country authentication, then the UAE embassy, which now includes MOFA digitally in most cases, then translation where required.
RAKEZ or RAK DED mainland?
RAKEZ for international trade, online sales and industrial space; RAK DED if your customers are mainly in the UAE or you need a shop. We compare both for your activities.
Where is your nearest office to RAKEZ?
RAKEZ files are handled online and at the zone, and you can hand in documents at any of our four offices.
Last updated: September 2026
