Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
RAKEZ is Ras Al Khaimah's government-run economic zone focused on affordable setup for startups, SMEs, and industrial businesses, with wide facility options across multiple parks. It stands out for low entry pricing starting at AED 6,000, all-inclusive SME bundles, and an increasingly formal banking-partner ecosystem for faster onboarding.
From
AED 6,000
Established
2017
Companies
40,000
Max Visas
4
Banking
Moderate
RAKEZ Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biz Starter Package (0 Visa) Multi-year options available. Indicative: 2-year AED 10,800; 3-year AED 15,300. | AED 6,000 | 0 | Flexi Desk | AED 6,000 | AED 6,000 |
| SME Business Set-Up (1 Visa) Multi-year options available; exact discount not published. | AED 7,800 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 14,320 | AED 14,320 |
| SME Business Set-Up (2 Visas) Multi-year options available; confirm totals with RAKEZ. | AED 7,800 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 18,640 | AED 18,640 |
| SME Business Set-Up (4 Visas) Multi-year options available; confirm totals with RAKEZ. | AED 7,800 | 4 | Flexi Desk | AED 27,280 | AED 27,280 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Lowest entry point in the UAE — Biz Starter promotion at AED 6,000 with 24-hour setup
- All-inclusive SME bundle at AED 14,000 includes trade license + 1 UAE residence visa, with same renewal price guaranteed
- Predictable visa add-ons: up to 3 additional visas at AED 4,000 each
- Massive activity catalog: 3,000+ activities across 50+ sectors
- Formal banking partnerships with ADIB, RAKBANK, NBF, Mashreq, and Wio Bank
- Fast visa processing: employment visa in 5 business days, dependent visa in 9 business days
- Transparent compliance: clear audit deadlines and fine schedules
Watch out for
- Mandatory annual audit for all companies — ongoing cost even for small firms
- Minimum share capital of AED 10,000 for FZ-LLC; higher for regulated activities
- AED 6,000 Biz Starter may be restricted to UAE-based entrepreneurs
- Bank accounts still subject to standard due diligence despite partner facilitation
- Multi-zone structure can be confusing for first-time founders
- Some visa steps require in-person biometrics and medical processes
Visa Information
Max Quota
4 visas
Up to 4 under SME promo. Larger quotas depend on office/warehouse facilities.
Processing Time
5 days
Renewal Cost
AED 3,500
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 3,000
Family visa packages around AED 3,000.
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 3,500
Investor Visa
AED 4,000
Medical Standard
AED 450
Medical V I P
AED 850
Emirates Id Typing
AED 390
5 business days for employment visa; 9 business days for dependent visa
Banking
Partner Banks
Formal partnerships with ADIB, RAKBANK, NBF, Mashreq, and Wio for streamlined onboarding. Expect standard KYC checks; typical timeline 2–6 weeks depending on activity risk.
Features
Mainland Trading
Requires an onshore branch or local distributor arrangement.
Physical Office Required
Coworking/flexi options satisfy address requirements without a private office.
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
No dedicated crypto program; approval depends on licensing categories.
Shared Ownership
Up to 50 shareholders allowed.
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
Fully digital registration and renewal.
Co-working Available
Audit Required
Mandatory audited financials within 6 months of year-end. Late fine: AED 2,500.
Share Capital Requirement
AED 10,000 minimum for FZ-LLC (AED 1,000/share). Higher for regulated activities (e.g., industrial AED 150,000).
Easy Payment Plan
Tabby installment payments available on SME packages.
Special Ecosystems
Recent Developments
- Feb 2026: National Bank of Fujairah partnership renewed for integrated banking solutions
- Jan 2026: 19,000 new companies added in 2025, surpassing 40,000 total
- Jul 2025: MoU signed with ADIB to facilitate bank account opening
- May 2024: RAKBANK partnership extended for faster SME banking via e-KYC
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a RAKEZ license cost in 2026?
RAKEZ offers a Biz Starter promotion at AED 6,000 (0 visas) and an SME all-inclusive bundle at AED 14,000 including 1 residence visa. Additional visas cost AED 4,000 each.
Does the RAKEZ Biz Starter Package include a residence visa?
No. The Biz Starter is a 0-visa entry offer at AED 6,000 with coworking membership. Visas are available as a separate upgrade.
How many visas can I get with the RAKEZ AED 14,000 package?
The SME package includes 1 residence visa. You can add up to 3 more at AED 4,000 each, for a maximum of 4 visas.
How many business activities can I add to a RAKEZ license?
Commercial licenses allow 5 activities from the same group or 2 from different groups. Service licenses allow 2 from any group. RAKEZ supports 3,000+ activities total.
Is an audit mandatory for RAKEZ companies?
Yes. All RAKEZ companies must submit audited financial statements within 6 months of financial year-end. Late submission incurs an AED 2,500 fine.
How long does a RAKEZ employment visa take?
Employment visas take 5 business days. Dependent visas take 9 business days. Actual timelines may vary by applicant location.
What is the minimum share capital for RAKEZ FZ-LLC?
AED 10,000 minimum (AED 1,000 per share). Regulated activities have higher minimums, such as AED 150,000 for industrial activities.
Ready to set up with RAKEZ?
Get a personalised quote for your RAKEZ business setup. Compare packages and find the best deal.
Starting From
AED 6,000 /yr