In 2017, two free economic zones of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah – RAK FTZ and RAKIA – were merged into a single free zone, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ).
Since the merger, RAKEZ has been consistently developing as one of the largest and most versatile free economic zones in the UAE, offering a wide range of licenses, infrastructure facilities, and business presence formats for international companies.
Below, we review the key features of company registration in RAKEZ, its advantages, and available alternatives within the UAE.
General overview of the RAKEZ free zone
As of today, more than 13,000 companies from various countries are registered in RAKEZ, operating across more than 50 economic sectors, including trade, manufacturing, logistics, services, IT, consulting.
Companies choose RAKEZ based on a combination of factors, including:
- a wide range of license types;
- affordable registration and annual maintenance costs;
- a broad selection of office, warehouse, and industrial facilities;
- flexible business structuring requirements.
RAKEZ allows the registration of non-offshore free zone companies and also provides infrastructure solutions, including offices, warehouses, industrial units, land plots, and logistics facilities.
Company registration procedure in RAKEZ
The process of registering a company in the RAKEZ free economic zone is generally standard and includes the following stages:
- preliminary review and reservation of the company name;
- submission of the registration document package;
- signing of corporate documents;
- selection and lease of office or other premises (if required);
- issuance of a mailing address and a company registration card.
After company registration is completed, UAE residence visas can be arranged for shareholders and employees. The maximum number of visas depends directly on the license type and the selected premises.
Documents required for company registration in RAKEZ
If the shareholder is an individual
Typically, the following documents are required:
- copy of passport;
- proof of residential address;
- specimen signature;
- short CV;
- business plan or description of the proposed activity;
- bank reference letter (upon request);
- educational diploma – if the shareholder also acts as director;
- NOC from the current sponsor, if the applicant is already a UAE resident.
If the shareholder is a legal entity
Additionally, the following documents are required:
- Memorandum and Articles of Association;
- Certificate of Incorporation;
- list of shareholders and directors;
- board resolution approving the establishment of a subsidiary in the UAE;
- corporate documents confirming the ownership structure.
Scale and development of RAKEZ
Following the merger of RAK FTZ and RAKIA, the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah gained one of the largest free economic zones not only in the UAE but also in the GCC.
The total area of RAKEZ is approximately 33 million square meters, accommodating both small office-based companies and large industrial enterprises.
The merger also led to optimization of management and administrative processes, significantly improving the speed and quality of services provided to companies.
Licensing and infrastructure flexibility
One of the key advantages of RAKEZ is the removal of the previous limitations that existed between RAK FTZ and RAKIA.
Previously, companies could face situations where:
- a specific license was available only in one zone;
- suitable premises were available only in another.
Today, all licenses and facilities fall within a single RAKEZ free zone framework, significantly simplifying business structuring.
The same applies to premises leasing – companies can freely choose offices and facilities across the entire RAKEZ territory.
Regulatory framework
The legal and regulatory frameworks of the former zones were consolidated into a unified RAKEZ corporate regime, based on best practices of both structures.
The regulating authority is the RAKEZ Authority, which is responsible for licensing, administration, and corporate regulation of free zone companies.
Frequently asked questions about business registration in RAKEZ
What is the difference between offshore and non-offshore companies?
The key differences are as follows:
- Costs – offshore companies are cheaper;
- Business activity in the UAE – permitted only for non-offshore companies;
- Residence visas – available only through non-offshore free zone companies.
How long does company registration take?
On average, registration takes 2–3 weeks, depending on the type of activity and the readiness of the documents.
How many residence visas can be obtained?
The number of visas depends on the license type and leased premises.
As a general guideline:
- basic office packages: 1–2 visas;
- extended office or warehouse solutions: 3 or more visas.
Family visas are issued under sponsorship rules and do not require separate quotas.
Is annual renewal required?
Yes. The following must be renewed annually:
- trade license;
- premises lease;
- mailing address;
- related administrative services.
Why choose RAKEZ?
The choice of a free zone always depends on specific business objectives.
In many cases, RAKEZ is an optimal solution in terms of cost efficiency, licensing flexibility, and infrastructure. In other situations, free zones in Dubai or Abu Dhabi may be more suitable.
Costs of company registration in RAKEZ
The total registration cost consists of the following components:
- registration fee;
- annual license fee;
- office or premises rent;
- mailbox;
- company registration card;
- additional administrative fees.
The final cost depends on the selected license and infrastructure package.
Conclusion
The establishment of RAKEZ marked an important milestone in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah's business infrastructure and provided entrepreneurs with another competitive option for company registration in the UAE.
We provide company registration and ongoing support across all UAE free economic zones, including RAKEZ, tailored to client objectives, banking requirements, and visa considerations.
