How much does RAKEZ company setup cost in 2026?
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) sets its fees, and we show them apart from ours. The table lists what you pay to the authorities and what Startex charges. Our service fee is quoted in writing before you pay anything.
| Item | Government fee (paid to) | Startex service fee |
|---|---|---|
| License and company registration, no visa | About AED 6,010 on a published schedule (RAKEZ) | From AED 5,510 without a visa |
| License with one residence visa | About AED 12,000 in total (RAKEZ and GDRFA) | Quoted separately |
| License with two visas | About AED 18,000 in total (RAKEZ and GDRFA) | Quoted separately |
| License with three visas | About AED 22,000 in total (RAKEZ and GDRFA) | Quoted separately |
| Flexi desk and establishment card | Bundled in standard packages (RAKEZ) | Quoted separately |
| Warehouse, industrial unit or land | Quoted by RAKEZ on requirement | Quoted separately |
Ranges at the time of writing, October 2026, checked against RAKEZ's published information and current package schedules. Packages change, so we confirm the live figure before we quote.
What does a RAKEZ package include?
- A one-year license with 100 percent ownership, several shareholders and several activities.
- A bundled flexi desk and the establishment card the company needs to sponsor visas.
- Industrial and warehouse options, leased on requirement when the business outgrows a desk.
- Full Startex concierge support from the trade name to the bank file.
RAKEZ licenses cover commercial, service, trading and industrial activities, and one license can list several activities. The industrial and logistics side is a strength of the zone, so manufacturers and traders with stock can grow into a unit without moving zone.
What are the RAKEZ visa and office rules?
Standard RAKEZ packages include a flexi desk, which suits service, trade and online companies. Businesses that store goods or manufacture lease a warehouse, industrial unit or land from RAKEZ, priced on requirement. Each added visa costs about AED 4,000 to 6,000 on published schedules, before the medical, Emirates ID and insurance.
For the full range of visa costs and quotas by route, see our business setup cost guide and the PRO services we use to file them.
Who does RAKEZ suit, and who should look elsewhere?
RAKEZ suits:
- Small businesses and startups that want a low entry price.
- Traders and manufacturers that may need a warehouse or industrial unit later.
- Founders who value Ras Al Khaimah's low entry prices.
RAKEZ is a weaker fit for:
- Companies whose clients expect a Dubai address.
- Businesses that sell mainly to mainland Dubai customers without a distributor.
- Regulated activities that need a separate regulator's approval.
How long does RAKEZ setup take?
| Step | Typical time | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name and application | 1 to 3 working days | RAKEZ |
| License issued | 5 to 10 working days from a complete document set | RAKEZ |
| Establishment card | About week 2 | Immigration |
| Residence visa, per person | 1 to 2 weeks after the establishment card | GDRFA and ICP |
| Corporate bank account | Several weeks | The bank |
What are the steps to set up a RAKEZ company?
- Choose the activities you will list, so the license matches what you sell.
- Pick the package that fits your visas and office, and confirm what RAKEZ includes.
- Send the documents: passport copies, photographs and, for company shareholders, attested papers.
- Sign and pay the RAKEZ application and receive the license.
- Apply for the establishment card, visas and bank account.
How does RAKEZ compare with other free zones?
| Zone | License cost from | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ | AED 5,510 to 6,010 | Small businesses, traders and manufacturers that want a low-cost license with room to grow into industrial space. |
| IFZA | AED 12,400 to 12,900 | Consultants, traders and online businesses that want a Dubai license at a low entry price. |
| Meydan | AED 12,500 | Startups and solo founders that want a Dubai government free zone with a flexi desk and instant licensing. |
Not sure which zone fits? Read free zone vs mainland vs offshore, or compare all seven on the free zone setup cost page.
Fee ranges are for Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and were checked in October 2026. Official sources: Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) and GDRFA Dubai. Startex Hub is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with RAKEZ.