Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) has become one of the UAE's most cost-competitive emirates for business setup and residence — partly because of RAKEZ's aggressive packaging, partly because RAK ICC offers genuine offshore vehicles. This 2026 guide breaks down each route, the real costs, and the typical timelines.
The three RAK channels you need to know
- RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone): the headline free zone, formed by merging RAK Free Trade Zone and RAK Investment Authority. Offers commercial, industrial, educational, and academic licences.
- RAK ICC (International Corporate Centre): a true offshore vehicle — no UAE residence visa, used for holding companies, IP vehicles, and asset protection.
- RAK Mainland (DED RAK): for businesses that need to trade locally in RAK and across the UAE without free-zone restrictions.
RAKEZ packages and visa quotas
| Package | Cost (AED) | Visa quota |
|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ Lite (0 visa) | 5,500 – 7,500 | 0 |
| RAKEZ Smart (1 visa) | 11,500 – 14,500 | 1 |
| RAKEZ Premium (3 visas) | 18,500 – 24,000 | 3 |
| Industrial / warehouse | From 30,000 | 10+ |
Renewal in year two typically drops by 10–15% if you keep the same package and don't add visa quota.
How RAK ICC differs from RAKEZ
RAK ICC companies have no physical presence in the UAE, no employees, and crucially, cannot issue residence visas. They're tax-resident in the UAE for treaty purposes but exist primarily as holding vehicles. If you want a visa, RAK ICC is the wrong product — go RAKEZ instead.
Residence-visa processing in RAK
Like Sharjah, RAK uses ICP for all visa transactions (no GDRFA equivalent). You can file via:
- ICP smart services portal / UAEICP app.
- An accredited typing centre — Tasheel RAK is the most common.
- Your free zone's PRO desk (RAKEZ has its own internal channel).
Typical 2026 fees (residence visa)
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Entry permit (inside country) | 1,150 – 1,350 |
| Status change | 640 |
| Medical fitness | 320 – 530 |
| Residence stamping (2 yrs) | 350 – 550 |
| Emirates ID (2 yrs) | 270 |
| Service / typing | 200 – 600 |
Step-by-step: RAKEZ company + residence visa
- Pick a RAKEZ package matching your visa quota.
- Submit passport, photo, and activity selection — RAKEZ issues initial approval in 2–4 working days.
- Sign the lease and pay the package fee; trade licence issued.
- Establishment card from MOHRE / immigration linked to the licence.
- Apply for the entry permit through RAKEZ PRO or directly via ICP.
- Medical fitness + biometrics + Emirates ID + visa stamp — total around 10–15 working days.
Pros and cons
- Pros: low total cost, fast packages, RAK is well-connected to Dubai (1-hour drive), strong industrial zones.
- Cons: if your customers are in Dubai, banks sometimes prefer Dubai-licensed entities; physical proximity to the customer matters for B2B.
Frequently asked
Can I live in Dubai on a RAK visa? Yes — UAE residence visas are valid in all emirates regardless of issuance.
Is RAKEZ cheaper than IFZA or SHAMS? For 1–3 visa packages, RAKEZ is usually within 10% of IFZA pricing. SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) is similar for media activities.
Can RAK ICC convert to RAKEZ later? No direct conversion — you'd open a new RAKEZ entity and migrate operations.
Do I need to visit RAK for setup? No — most packages are fully remote with courier-delivered originals; biometrics is the only physical step.
What about RAK mainland? Suitable if you want to trade locally without a local sponsor — DED RAK now allows 100% foreign ownership for most activities.
Related reading
Compare with our Sharjah government services overview or the UAQ free-zone analysis.
How we help
Visa Simplified handles RAKEZ company formation and the linked residence visa as a single bundle. We also process free zone licence setup across SAIF, IFZA, RAKEZ, and SHAMS — with one fixed quote and a single invoice for everything.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.