Opening a Company in Ras Al Khaimah

Opening a company in Ras Al Khaimah can be a process overseen by one of our company formation agents in Dubai. The formalities are quite simple for both local and international entrepreneurs; however, it is suggested to ask for support and assistance to benefit from a proper business start in this destination. Below, you can discover information about how to start a business in the UAE, mainly in Ras Al Khaimah, with the help of our local agents.

Business licenses in the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone

To open a company in the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone, investors must select the appropriate business license. There are four types of licenses to be obtained within the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone:

• a commercial license,
• a general trading license,
• an industrial license,
• a consultancy or services license.

The business license is issued for a limited period, which is usually one year. This may be renewed every year, provided that audit reports are submitted when applying for renewal. Companies licensed by the RAK FTZ Authority are also required to appoint a local agent to supply any goods or services in the UAE market.

Required documents to open a company in the RAK FTZ

The company registration procedure in the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone is quite simple once all the documents are prepared. The required documents to open a company in the RAK FTZ are:

• an application form,
• a certificate of incorporation,
• a brief description of the business objectives,
• a bank reference letter,
• the shareholders’ passport copies,
• a list of trade names application form.

In certain cases, additional information or documents may be required. For a customized list of required documents, you may ask our company incorporation agents in Dubai. On the other hand, if you want to relocate staff to this location, it is best to solicit information on immigration to Dubai.

For assistance in setting up an RAK offshore company, you can rely on our company registration agents in Dubai.

Tax exemptions in Ras Al Khaimah free zone

Just like any other free zone in Dubai or other emirates, Ras Al Khaimah offers various tax exemptions when opening a company here. Foreign investors should choose the Ras Al Khaimah free zone because they can benefit from:

• no corporate or income taxes;
• full repatriation of capital and profits.

Also, one of the main reasons overseas entrepreneurs choose the Ras Al Khaimah free zone is that full foreign ownership is allowed here. Contact us for assistance with company incorporation in Dubai.

Here is a video presentation about how to open a company in Ras Al Khaimah:

Facilities for companies in the Ras Al Khaimah free zone

Ras Al Khaimah free zone is among the most sought-after investment destinations in the UAE because of the numerous incentives it offers to foreign enterprises. Many foreign investors come to the UAE to establish companies in Ras Al Khaimah and its free zones. They can choose from several types of structures allowed by the local authorities, especially because of the advantages RAK offshore companies offer.

Setting up a company in Ras Al Khaimah free zone comes with many advantages from a logistics point of view. First of all, the Ras Al Khaimah free zone is located quite close to Dubai and has direct access to Port Saqr. RAK free zone also offers easy access to the largest airports in the UAE.

Apart from these, Ras Al Khaimah free zone offers clear legislation related to the incorporation of companies here and swift company formation in Dubai, which is what makes it one of the most appealing free zones in the UAE. Companies here can apply for one of the four types of business licenses available: commercial, trading, consultancy, or industrial license.

Other reasons to choose to invest in Ras Al Khaimah free zone

Ras Al Khaimah free zone is among the most advantageous free zones when it comes to high living standards at low costs. Companies operating in Ras Al Khaimah free zone also benefit from cheap office space for rent in any of the parks dedicated to certain industries. These are the Industrial Park, the Academic Zone, the Business Park, and the Technology Park.

Among the benefits RAK companies offer to foreign investors are:

• full foreign ownership is allowed,
• easy and quick incorporation procedure,
• a clear regulatory legal framework,
• access to all large airports and seaports in the UAE.

RAK – “Best Emerging Free Zone”

RAK was established in 2000, and it has become the location of over 8,000 companies with shareholders all around the world. They are attracted by the major advantages offered by this free zone, which offers 100% foreign ownership for companies established there, that can benefit from a tax-free and friendly business environment, fast incorporation procedures, a strategic location with access to important markets in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, full repatriation of capital and profits and full tax exemption.

RAK was considered “best emerging free zone” for three years in a row at the Middle East Logistics Awards.

Developing industries in RAK

In RAK, foreign investors can find business, industrial, and technology parks and an academic zone for educational entities.

RAK Free Zone is part of the emirate Ras Al Khaimah, which, together with the other six emirates, forms the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This country offers a stable and friendly business environment, offering important business opportunities for foreign investors, especially in the free zones, where they are provided with important facilities. The authorities in RAK emirate encourage foreign investors to come and open different types of businesses there and help the region develop in many economic fields, not only based on businesses that involve oil and gas.

In this region, there are important resources of limestone, rocks, and clay that can help the development of the construction and manufacturing fields. RAK has one of the highest levels of industrialization in the UAE and hosts the largest producer of ceramic tiles in the world, a company that is the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in the Middle East, the largest armored car manufacturer in the world, etc.

Restrictions for offshore companies in RAK

Even if the company is allowed to obtain any of the licenses above, there are certain restrictions imposed on RAK offshore companies. Among these are:

• the company is not allowed to operate on the UAE market;
• no bearer shares are allowed in a RAK offshore;
• the company name is subject to certain restrictions with respect to certain words that cannot be used in the trade name.

Great free zones for business in Ras Al Khaimah

If you are thinking of opening a business in Ras Al Khaimah, you can opt for the facilities offered by the available free zones. Below is information about 4 of them, some of the most important and appreciated free zones in Ras Al Khaimah by foreign investors:

1. RAK Maritime City Free Zone

RAK Maritime City Free Zone is one of the oldest business destinations, which opened its doors in 2001. As its name implies, this free zone is aimed at companies active in the maritime field and that want to benefit from a secure business climate for carrying out operations.

Acting as a one-stop-shop, RAK Maritime City free zone set out from the beginning to attract businessmen from all over the world, who would easily develop their businesses, without complexities in terms of documents and the registration of a company, in an extremely stable environment. This is an established port, and many of the activities of the big companies in the world have various operations in this beneficial free zone.

2. Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority Free Zone or RAKIA

RAKIA opened its doors for business in 2015 to equally promote and develop an optimal business climate for foreign entrepreneurs. Starting from this idea, it can be further emphasized that RAKIA offers complete support for investors, and more precisely, uncomplicated formalities for registering a company, as well as affordable costs.
With a strategic geographical location, great infrastructure, and solid support from the local government, RAKIA is one of the most appreciated free zones in Ras Al Khaimah and has open doors for those who want to conduct their business in a quality business climate, with the latest technology and many other such advantages.

3. RAK Economic Zone or RAKEZ

RAKEZ Free Zone is located in the central area of Ras Al Khaimah. The main objectives of this important free zone are to support foreign investors who want to assert themselves in the local and regional market, with the help of the optimal business development tools: the simplicity of the company registration procedure, tax support, etc. Both local and foreign investors are welcome in RAKEZ, where they can develop their businesses in a stable and optimal environment for a diversity of business ideas.

4. RAK Media Free Zone or RMFZ

Another important free zone is the RAK Media Free Zone, which opened its doors in 2006. This free zone is considered a suitable alternative to the Dubai Media City free zone, which has similar characteristics in terms of business ideas and supporting foreign entrepreneurs. Operational low-cost, world-class facilities, easy media-related business license issuance, and great business infrastructure broadly describe RAK Media Free Zone as an excellent business destination for foreigners.

7 key features of RAK Freezone

Opening a company in the Ras Al Khaimah free zone is advantageous for all categories of investors. Here are 7 key characteristics you should explore when deciding on business incorporation in Dubai, and especially in this free trade zone:

• Fast company set up – Entrepreneurs benefit from a simple and fast company incorporation process. This means that there are minimal administrative tasks and bureaucracy, allowing businessmen to start the operations quickly.
• Tax advantages – The RAK Freezone offers significant tax advantages. Those who already run their businesses here do not pay corporate tax, and the profits are repatriated without any other costs. In addition, companies in the RAK Freezone can be established with 100% ownership.
• International markets access – Having a company in the RAK Freezone also means accessing international markets and developing various business connections. One can access new markets like Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
• Strategic location – RAK Zone benefits from a strategic location, at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, which is good for future business expansion.
• Great infrastructure – Dubai is a very advanced and modern city, with top infrastructure, innovative office spaces, industrial units, and warehouses supplied with the latest technology & services.
• Accessing foreign banks – the UAE is an appealing and solid financial center in the world. Most foreign banks have branches & subsidiaries in all cities, including Dubai, making it easy for international investors to conduct financial transactions of any kind.
• Dubai residency – Foreign entrepreneurs who choose to invest in the RAK Free Zone can enjoy residency in Dubai as an alternative. With this status, they can live & work in full legality.

Are you planning to set up a company in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK)? Our specialists can guide you on the formalities and procedures of incorporation. They can also provide assistance and advice on various business-related matters.

UAE’s economy in a few lines

Here is some information about the economic direction of the UAE, to give you an idea of when you want to open a business here:

• Around USD 537 billion was the UAE’s nominal GDP in 2024.
• GDP growth of the UAE was around 3.8% in 2024.
• Trade and manufacturing are the main drivers of economic growth of the UAE, contributing 16.5% and 15% respectively in 2024.
• 30% of the total GDP of the UAE was supported by the oil sector in 2024.

For company registration services in the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone, please contact our agents in Dubai.