RAK EZ Free Zone Company Formation & Business Setup
Establish your business through RAK Economic Zone with professional support for company formation, licence selection, business activities, visas, workspace planning, corporate banking preparation, and ongoing compliance.
The Industrial & Manufacturing Powerhouse of the Northern Emirates
Consolidating the former RAK Free Trade Zone and RAK Investment Authority, RAKEZ is one of the UAE's most expansive economic zones. It offers customizable business solutions for startups, traders, service providers, and heavy industrial manufacturers.
RAKEZ features specialized geographic zones including Al Hamra Industrial Zone, Al Ghail Industrial Zone, and Al Hulaila Industrial Zone, providing custom land plots, heavy power grids, and direct access to Saqr Port.
- Dedicated industrial zones with high-voltage power grids for manufacturing plants
- Customizable warehouse facilities for cold-chain, storage, and light assembly
- Direct access to Saqr Port handling over 65 million tonnes of bulk cargo annually
- Up to 50% lower annual operating and licensing overhead compared to central Dubai
- Comprehensive business community housing over 21,000 active enterprises
RAKEZ Industrial & Business Park Hub
Up to 50% Lower Setup & Operating Overhead vs Dubai
Achieve significant capital efficiency with annual trade license renewals, commercial office leases, and employee visa costs up to 50% lower than central metropolitan Dubai authorities.
- Up to 50% lower operating costs
- Affordable commercial real estate
- Budget-friendly visa packages
- High corporate capital retention
Dedicated Heavy Industrial Parks (Al Hamra & Al Ghail)
Lease custom-built industrial plots and manufacturing facilities in specialized zones (Al Hamra, Al Ghail, Al Hulaila) equipped with high-voltage industrial power grids, gas connections, and environmental clearances.
- High-voltage industrial power grid
- Gas pipeline connectivity
- Customizable land plots for factory build
- Environmental permit fast-tracking
Direct Maritime Access to Saqr Bulk Port
Export fabricated goods, machinery, and raw materials through Saqr Port, the largest bulk commodity port in the Middle East, handling over 65 million tonnes of cargo annually with direct deep-water berths.
- Direct maritime shipping links
- Deep-water bulk cargo berths
- Duty-free machinery imports
- Seamless customs clearing
Pre-Built Warehouses with Mezzanine Offices
Select from turnkey pre-built warehouse units ranging from 150 sq.m. to 1,000+ sq.m. with integrated office mezzanines, dedicated truck loading docks, and 24/7 security access.
- Pre-built units (150-1,000+ sq.m.)
- Mezzanine commercial offices
- Dedicated heavy truck docks
- Scalable workforce visa quotas
100% Foreign Equity Ownership & Zero Currency Controls
Maintain complete 100% foreign equity ownership of your enterprise without local sponsor mandates. Repatriate 100% of your capital, dividends, and manufacturing profits freely without currency restrictions.
- 100% foreign shareholder equity
- Zero local partner mandate
- Full profit & capital repatriation
- Zero currency exchange controls
0% Corporate Tax Scope on Qualifying Industrial Income
RAKEZ is a recognized Free Zone authority. Entities meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) criteria enjoy a 0% federal Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income from manufacturing and international trade.
- 0% CT on qualifying manufacturing
- 0% personal tax on founder earnings
- Double tax treaty protection
- Audited compliance framework
Strategic Advantages of RAKEZ Free Zone Setup
Leverage heavy industrial infrastructure, deep-water logistics, and substantial operating cost savings.
Authority Strategic Highlights
- Up to 50% lower annual operating and licensing overhead compared to Dubai
- Specialized heavy industrial parks in Al Hamra, Al Ghail and Al Hulaila
- Direct deep-water maritime logistics access to Saqr Bulk Port
- Turnkey pre-built warehouses from 150 sq.m. to 1,000+ sq.m.
Permitted License Categories in RAKEZ
Heavy industrial manufacturing, bulk maritime trading, logistics warehousing, and consulting.
RAKEZ provides heavy industrial power grids, deep-water port access at Saqr Port, and pre-built warehouses at up to 50% lower overhead than Dubai.
Industrial & Manufacturing
For manufacturing, metal fabrication, packaging plants, chemical processing, and building materials.
- Heavy manufacturing & tooling
- Metal & plastic fabrication
- Chemical & building supplies
General Trading & Bulk Logistics
For trading houses managing bulk commodities, machinery, and raw materials with Saqr Port maritime access.
- Bulk commodity trading
- Saqr Port deep-water shipping
- Industrial machinery trade
Commercial Trading (Single Line)
Import, export, and wholesale specific products such as automotive parts, electronics, or food items.
- Import, export & wholesale
- Automotive & industrial parts
- Food & beverage distribution
Warehousing & Cold Storage
Operate pre-built warehouse units, bonded storage facilities, and temperature-controlled logistics hubs.
- Pre-built warehouse leasing
- Cold storage logistics
- Bonded freight consolidation
Professional & Business Services
For management consultancies, engineering design firms, and advisory practices seeking low operating costs.
- Management consulting
- Engineering design advisory
- Up to 50% cost savings
Educational & Training License
For professional academies, vocational institutes, corporate training centers, and educational entities.
- Corporate training centers
- Vocational academies
- Professional certification
Workspace Options & Visa Quotas
From flexi-desks to heavy industrial manufacturing plots and Saqr Port warehouses.
RAKEZ provides facilities ranging from shared desks in RAK and Dubai to 5,000+ sqm industrial warehouses.
RAKEZ Flexi Desk
Commercial & RemoteShared workspace in RAKEZ Business Centres in Ras Al Khaimah or Dubai sales offices.
- Registered address in RAKEZ Business Zone
- Hot desk access with high-speed Wi-Fi in RAK and Dubai
- Meeting room credits and business lounge access
- Up to 50% lower overhead compared to Dubai free zones
Dedicated Commercial Office
Physical PresencePrivate lockable office suite in modern commercial towers in Ras Al Khaimah.
- Private lockable office with personalized company signage
- Physical lease certificate for smooth corporate banking
- Dedicated telephone line, mail handling, and reception
- Free parking and 24/7 building security access
Industrial Warehouse & Land
Manufacturing & PortPre-built warehouse units from 150 to 2,000+ sqm and industrial land plots with deep-water port access.
- Direct deep-water berths at Saqr Port for bulk cargo
- High-voltage electricity and industrial gas connections
- Generous visa quotas scaled to warehouse floor size
- Customs bonded storage and fast-track export clearance
UAE Residence Visa Process
Immigration File Opening
Registration with RAK ICP Immigration Department.
Entry Permit
Electronic entry permit issued with in-country status change.
Medical & Biometrics
Fast-track medical fitness test and Emirates ID fingerprint capture.
Visa & Emirates ID
Digital residence visa stamped and physical Emirates ID delivered.
Corporate Banking Considerations & Treasury Settlement
Effective Desk coordinates account opening with regional commercial lenders and national banks.
RAKBANK Priority Corporate Desk
Direct corporate account opening with the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK).
- Priority corporate account onboarding via Effective Desk
- Trade finance, Letter of Credit & bank guarantees
- Multi-currency commercial checking accounts
- Dedicated commercial relationship manager
Tier 1 UAE National Banks
Institutional relationship banking with the UAE's largest commercial financial institutions.
- First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) & Emirates NBD
- Industrial treasury & FX hedging facilities
- Online commercial banking portal with wire desk
- Effective Desk AML pre-clearance
Digital Business Neo-Banks
Rapid online account setup for trading and service firms seeking instant digital IBANs.
- Wio Bank & Mashreq NeoBiz priority onboarding
- Multi-currency sub-accounts (AED, USD, EUR, GBP)
- Instant corporate virtual debit cards
- Seamless accounting software integration
Required Formation Documents & Verification Dossier
Comprehensive shareholder KYC materials and cross-border attestation requirements for authority registration.
Valid Passport Copies
High-resolution color passport scans for all individual shareholders, directors, and appointed managers.
- Full double-page bio-data spread with signature clearly legible
- Zero flash glare, cropped borders, or compressed mobile screenshots
- Must have at least 6 months validity remaining from submission date
- Applies to 100% of individual equity holders and executive officers
UAE Entry Stamp / Visa
Current immigration standing documentation establishing legal entry or active UAE residency.
- Valid tourist visa with official UAE airport entry stamp (if inside UAE)
- Emirates ID copy & Unified Number (UID) for existing UAE residents
- Visa cancellation paper if transitioning from previous employer/license
- Non-resident founders can form 100% remotely without entering the UAE
3 Trade Name Choices
Three proposed legal business names listed in order of preference for economic registry reservation.
- Screened against UAE naming rules (no restricted or offensive terms)
- Foreign brand names must have trademark or parent ownership proof
- Includes statutory legal suffix (FZ-LLC, LLC, or Limited)
- Instant name check & initial reservation secured in under 2 hours
Proof of Address & CV
Essential KYC documentation required by UAE commercial banks to verify source of wealth.
- 6-month personal or corporate bank statements showing transaction history
- Residential utility bill, lease contract, or registered municipal address
- Founder CV / LinkedIn profile proving business background and wealth source
- Effective Desk structures this file prior to bank compliance submission
Corporate Holding Dossier
Required only when the new UAE entity is owned by a foreign parent company or holding entity.
- Certificate of Incorporation & Certificate of Good Standing / Incumbency
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (MoA/AoA) with sworn Arabic translation
- Board Resolution resolving UAE setup & attested Special Power of Attorney
- UBO Declaration identifying natural persons holding 25%+ equity control
The Complete Step-by-Step RAKEZ Setup Process
How Effective Desk guides you from industrial clearance to corporate bank account activation in RAKEZ.
Activity Classification & Environmental Check
We verify your activity code classification, submit shareholder KYC files, and obtain initial RAKEZ registry clearance.
Facility Allocation & License Delivery
We confirm your warehouse or office tenancy lease, execute electronic legal documentation, and secure your RAKEZ Trade License.
Workforce Visas & Corporate Bank Opening
We facilitate VIP medical screening, Emirates ID biometrics, and coordinate your corporate bank account onboarding.
RAKEZ License & Industrial Facility Pricing
Understand the core fee components for commercial and industrial setups in RAKEZ.
Mandatory Entity Baseline
The core non-negotiable government components required to register, incorporate, and license your business entity.
Base Trade License Fee
Covers official government registration, trade name reservation, and 1-year licensing for industrial or commercial activities.
Facility Lease / Warehouse
Covers registered commercial office or warehouse lease agreement in Al Hamra or Al Ghail.
Immigration Establishment Card
Required to register the corporate entity with RAK immigration for visa processing.
Variable & Optimization Options
Flexible additions adjusted dynamically based on your operational headcount, residency needs, and renewal horizon.
Residency Visa Processing
Includes entry permit, VIP medical examination, Emirates ID typing, and 2-year residence visa stamping.
Multi-Year License Incentives
RAKEZ offers substantial multi-year discounts for 2-year, 3-year, or 5-year commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Operational, legal, and compliance clarity for global founders.
RAKEZ provides dedicated industrial parks (Al Hamra, Al Ghail, Al Hulaila) with high-voltage power, gas connections, deep-water port access at Saqr Port, and significantly lower operating costs than metropolitan Dubai.
Yes. RAKEZ companies can provide services across the UAE and distribute physical goods through local Mainland distributors or licensed logistics agents.
Yes. RAKEZ is a designated Free Zone authority. Entities meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) criteria enjoy 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying foreign and intra-free-zone income.
A RAKEZ Free Zone entity can have from 1 to 50 individual or corporate shareholders.
No. The company incorporation can be executed 100% remotely. You only need to visit the UAE for medical screening and biometric capture for visa stamping.
Have a specific structuring or tax question?
Our senior corporate structuring partners evaluate your commercial activities, visa requirements, and banking eligibility.
Book Your Advisory Consultation
One conversation can clarify your UAE structure, banking requirements, and compliance priorities — with practical guidance from a Dubai-based advisory team.
