RAK ICC — RAK International Corporate Centre
UAE offshore registry for holding and asset protection. The UAE’s principal offshore registry for holding structures — no residence visas, no local office.
- Holding
- Asset protection
- IP holding
- SPVs
At a glance
Smartgic jurisdiction brief
- Emirate
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Type
- Offshore
- Relative cost
- Budget–Mid
- Best suited to
- Holding, Asset protection
Is RAK ICC the right fit for you?
RAK ICC is the UAE’s principal offshore corporate registry. Offshore companies are used to hold assets, shares or intellectual property — not to trade within the UAE. They do not carry residence visas and do not require a physical office.
It is important to be clear about what this is: a holding vehicle, not an operating licence. If you need to invoice UAE clients or sponsor a visa, you need a free zone or mainland licence instead — often alongside the offshore entity.
Ideal for
- Holding shares in operating companies
- Holding intellectual property within a group
- Asset protection and succession structures
- Investors who do not need UAE residency
What RAK ICC actually gives you
The advantages that matter commercially — not a feature list. If none of these apply to your business, we will point you somewhere cheaper.
Holding and asset protection
Designed to hold shares, property interests and intellectual property.
No physical office needed
Operates through a registered agent with no requirement to lease space.
Confidential ownership records
Shareholder details are not placed on a public register.
Straightforward maintenance
Annual renewal through the registered agent with limited ongoing obligations.
Licence types & workspace options
Your licence category follows your activity, and your workspace drives your visa allocation. We match both to what you actually need.
International Business Company
The standard offshore vehicle for holding and investment purposes.
Holding structures
Entities formed to hold shares in operating companies or other assets.
Special purpose vehicles
Single-purpose entities used within a wider group structure.
Workspace options
- Registered agent address only — no leasable office
Visa allocation is tied to your workspace selection. We size it to your hiring plan so you do not pay for unused quota.
From first call to licence in hand
The same six steps apply across jurisdictions. What changes is the authority, the approvals and the documentation — which is the part we handle.
- 01
Activity & structure review
We confirm the business activities you need, the legal form that fits them and whether this jurisdiction is genuinely the best match for your plan.
- 02
Trade name reservation
We check your preferred names against authority naming rules and reserve the one that clears.
- 03
Office or flexi-desk selection
We select the workspace package that satisfies the licence requirement and unlocks the visa quota you need.
- 04
Application & initial approval
We compile the application, submit it to the authority and manage every clarification until initial approval is granted.
- 05
Documentation & signing
Incorporation documents are prepared, signed and — where the jurisdiction requires it — notarised.
- 06
Licence issuance & next steps
Your licence is issued and we move straight on to establishment card, visas and your corporate bank account.
What you need to get started
This is the standard document set. Regulated activities and corporate shareholders carry additional requirements — we confirm the exact list for your case before you start gathering anything.
Get my document checklist- Passport copy for every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photographs (white background)
- Two to three proposed trade names
- Chosen business activities
- Shareholding split between partners
- UAE entry stamp or residence visa page, if already in the country
- For corporate shareholders: attested certificate of incorporation, MoA and board resolution
Services you will need alongside the licence
A licence on its own does not make you operational. These are the pieces that usually follow.
Founders worldwide trust Smartgic
From first-time entrepreneurs to established groups relocating to the UAE — here's what our clients say about working with us.
“Smartgic set up my DMCC company and processed my investor visa in under two weeks. The most seamless experience I have had in Dubai.”
“Their team handled my Golden Visa and corporate bank account end-to-end. Professional, responsive and genuinely transparent on fees.”
“I relocated my e-commerce business from Europe to an IFZA free zone with zero stress. My relationship manager replied within minutes.”
RAK ICC questions answered
The questions founders actually ask us about this jurisdiction — answered straight.
No. Offshore companies do not carry visa eligibility. If residency is a goal, you need a free zone or mainland licence — we often set up both, with the offshore entity holding the shares.
No. It cannot carry on business within the UAE. It is a holding and investment vehicle.
Offshore entities can hold UAE bank accounts, though banks apply closer scrutiny and requirements vary. We prepare the file and set realistic expectations.
Both are UAE offshore registries. JAFZA Offshore is notable for being able to hold Dubai freehold property in designated areas. The right choice depends on what the entity will hold.
Other jurisdictions worth considering
Most founders shortlist two or three before deciding. These are the closest alternatives to this one.
Independence & accuracy notice
Smartgic Immigration Business Set Up Services EST. is a privately owned business setup and immigration consultancy licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) under licence 1394564. We are not a government entity and are not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting on behalf of any UAE government authority, free zone authority or their agencies. Information on this website is general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax or immigration advice. Government fees, processing times, visa eligibility and approvals are determined solely by the relevant authorities, vary case by case and are not guaranteed. Always confirm current requirements for your specific circumstances with us or with the relevant authority before acting. All third-party names, free zone names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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