RAKEZ — Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
Industrial land and SME packages at a fraction of Dubai cost. Industrial land and manufacturing facilities at costs Dubai zones cannot match.
- Manufacturing
- Industrial
- SMEs
- Trading
At a glance
Smartgic jurisdiction brief
- Emirate
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Type
- Free Zone
- Relative cost
- Budget–Mid
- Best suited to
- Manufacturing, Industrial
Is RAKEZ the right fit for you?
RAKEZ is Ras Al Khaimah’s consolidated economic zone, covering both free zone and non-free-zone (RAK mainland) company formation. It is one of the largest zones in the UAE by tenant count and is heavily weighted towards industrial and SME businesses.
Its structural advantage is cost: industrial land, warehousing and manufacturing facilities are materially cheaper than Dubai, while the licence still carries full UAE standing.
Ideal for
- Manufacturers needing affordable industrial space
- SMEs where licence cost is a binding constraint
- Trading companies serving the northern emirates
- Businesses wanting a choice of free zone or mainland from one authority
What RAKEZ 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.
Low-cost industrial land
Manufacturing and warehousing space at a fraction of Dubai rates.
Free zone and mainland
RAKEZ issues both free zone and RAK mainland licences through one authority.
SME-focused packages
Entry-level packages built for small businesses and solo founders.
Large tenant base
Thousands of companies across manufacturing, trading and services.
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.
Commercial licence
Trading, import, export and distribution.
Industrial licence
Manufacturing, processing and assembly with land and facility options.
Professional / service licence
Consultancy, advisory and professional services.
Educational & media licences
Specialist categories for training, education and media activities.
Workspace options
- Flexi-desk
- Standard offices
- Warehouses
- Industrial land plots
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.”
RAKEZ questions answered
The questions founders actually ask us about this jurisdiction — answered straight.
It is roughly an hour from Dubai by road. For manufacturing and warehousing operations that is rarely an issue. For client-facing service businesses that need a Dubai presence, it can be.
The free zone licence gives 100% ownership with the usual free zone trading limits. The RAK mainland licence allows direct local-market trade within RAK. We map which fits your sales model.
Yes, with allocation scaling by package and facility.
Its entry-level packages are competitive. Compare against SHAMS and SPC — for a pure consultancy the difference often comes down to a few hundred dirhams and which jurisdiction you prefer.
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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