Business setup in Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is the UAE's northernmost emirate, and it is one of the few places where a single authority can issue both free zone and non-free zone licences. That authority is RAKEZ, the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. Alongside it there is a conventional mainland licence from the emirate's Department of Economic Development (RAK DED), and RAK ICC, a separate centre for holding and structuring companies.

The emirate suits industrial projects, e-commerce and low-cost service businesses, and it is a longer drive from Dubai than Sharjah or Ajman. This page covers what each route is for and where they differ.

What is RAKEZ and what licences does it offer?

RAKEZ offers both free zone and non-free zone entity formations. Its own site lists licence options for more than 3,000 business activities, industrial zones at Al Ghail, Al Hamra and Al Hulaila, and business zones at Al Nakheel and Al Hamra. Facilities include flexi, standard, executive and shell-and-core offices, warehouses and land for development. RAKEZ's published starting price in this site's directory is AED 6,000.

A RAKEZ article states that its non-free zone route can combine a dual licence with an LLC or sole proprietorship LLC structure and 100 percent ownership, so ask RAKEZ which entity type fits your activity.

How do I get a Ras Al Khaimah trade license on the mainland?

Anyone carrying on an industrial, commercial, professional or tourism activity in the emirate needs a licence from RAK DED, plus approvals from other ministries or authorities where the activity requires them. The department's e-service describes six stages: security clearance, trade name reservation, site inspection and municipality approval of the tenancy contract, external approvals, approval of the company contract or service agent contract, and payment of fees to issue the licence.

The RAK DED hotline is 8007333 and its website is ded.rak.ae.

What is RAK ICC and how is it different from RAKEZ?

RAK ICC is a corporate structuring centre rather than an operating-business zone. Its company types include limited by shares, limited by guarantee, restricted purposes, segregated portfolio, unlimited and intellectual property holding companies, and it advertises 100 percent foreign ownership, one-day incorporation, corporate directors and common law rules with access to the DIFC and ADGM courts.

Typical offshore-style registration runs about AED 8,000–13,000 (October 2026). That route suits holding and international activity and does not give you UAE residence visas or a UAE office.

What other free zones are in Ras Al Khaimah?

RAK Maritime City is a separate free zone and port created by Emiri decree in December 2009 for marine, industrial and warehousing uses, according to press coverage at its launch. RAKEZ itself was formed in 2017 when RAK Free Trade Zone and RAKIA were merged. If your business is industrial or marine, compare these two before choosing.

How to choose in Ras Al Khaimah

1. 1

   Say what you will do and where your customers are

   Selling inside the UAE points to RAKEZ non-free zone or RAK DED, while international holding points to RAK ICC.

2. 2

   Pick a zone or site

   Industrial users compare Al Ghail, Al Hamra and Al Hulaila; offices and desks suit the business zones.

3. 3

   Check approvals for your activity

   Regulated activities need external approvals before the licence is issued.

4. 4

   Get an itemised quote

   Licence, visa, office or desk and year-two renewal on separate lines.

Things to weigh up

• Ras Al Khaimah is typically an hour or more from Dubai by road, so in-person visits need planning.
• RAKEZ industrial sites are spread across several zones, so the location you choose matters for logistics.
• Free zone entities still face limits when trading directly with the mainland, unless you use a non-free zone entity or a dual licence.
• A holding company at RAK ICC does not give you UAE residence visas or an operating office.