Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone

What Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone does

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is a government-owned business licensing authority and economic zone operator headquartered in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, established in April 2017 by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah. It provides company formation services to free zone and non-free zone entities, hosting more than 40,000 companies across over 50 sectors and 100 countries. Its product portfolio spans business licences (commercial, industrial, professional, media, e-commerce, general trading), visa services (employment, dependent, student, tourist, Golden, Green), industrial and office leasing (warehouses at AED 90–140/sqm, flexi desks, shell-and-core offices, coworking at Compass Coworking Centre), and value-added services (banking, accounting, translation, recruitment, VAT registration, legal compliance). The core technology layer is Portal 360 and the RAKEZ E-Services Portal, which consolidate licensing, visa processing, payments (credit card and Apple Pay), and government transactions, with the Smart Licensing model enabling business licence issuance in under five minutes. RAKEZ also operates a mobile application on iOS and Android and runs direct integrations with Emirates NBD and National Bank of Fujairah for streamlined business bank account opening.

The business model is multi-stream: one-time licence issuance and annual/multi-year licence renewals (priced AED 6,000–14,000 for SME packages, from AED 6,100 for Freelancer Permits), recurring visa processing and renewal fees (employment visas from AED 685; Golden Visa from AED 10,984), recurring warehouse and office rental income (warehouses AED 90–140/sqm), transaction-based fees for value-added services (bank account opening from AED 2,749, absconding cases from AED 1,670), and pass-through revenue from Workers Protection Insurance premiums (AED 130–320/visa/year) via RAKINSURANCE. Pricing is denominated in AED and subject to 5% VAT. RAKEZ's go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales with dedicated account managers, inside sales through self-service digital licensing, and event-driven acquisition via international roadshows (e.g., India), industry events (Gulfood Manufacturing, Turkish-Arab Economic Forum), and Compass Coworking Centre community programming. Customer segments span SMEs and entrepreneurs, industrial and manufacturing companies, startups and freelancers, trading/e-commerce businesses, international investors (Golden/Green Visa), and F&B operators, with primary revenue concentration on SMEs and industrial tenants. The entity is wholly owned by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and reports no external investors or funding rounds.

Name

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone

Legal name

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone

Website

https://rakez.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is a UAE government-owned economic zone authority providing company formation, licensing, visa, and leasing services to more than 40,000 companies across 50+ sectors and 100 countries via digital portals and physical industrial and business zones in Ras Al Khaimah.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Zone Services

akta.pro primary industry

Bonded Warehouses (Customs-Bonded Storage Facilities) (TLALAGAA)

Keywords

• Business setup services
• Economic zone authority
• Company formation licensing
• Free zone services
• Industrial facility leasing

Headquarters

HQ city

Khaimah

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Business Licensing Fees: RAKEZ generates primary revenue from issuing and renewing business licences across free zone and non-free zone entities. Fees vary by licence type (commercial, industrial, professional, media, e-commerce, general trading) and duration. Licences can be issued for 1 to 3 years with pricing tiers designed to incentivize longer commitments.
2. Visa and Immigration Services: Revenue is earned from visa issuance, renewal, and amendment services including employment visas, dependent visas, investor/partner visas, golden visas, green visas, student visas, and tourist visas. Fees include processing charges, medical fitness centre fees, Emirates ID, and security deposits.
3. Real Estate Leasing: RAKEZ leases workspaces including flexi facilities, standard and executive offices, shell and core offices, warehouses, coworking space (Compass Coworking Centre), and industrial land plots. Revenue is derived from rental payments, with promotional pricing such as 'Lease More, Pay Less' for warehouses, and self-storage unit rentals.
4. Value-Added Services: A suite of supplementary services including accounting, translation, recruitment, procurement, marketing support, business bank account opening assistance, VAT registration, legal compliance, and design services. These are offered as paid add-ons to core licensing and leasing packages.
5. Government Services: Fees for government-facing services facilitated through RAKEZ, including smart channels registration, official letters/NOC issuance, labour complaint handling, and absconding reporting.
6. Workers Protection Insurance: RAKEZ partners with RAKINSURANCE to provide mandatory workers protection insurance as part of the visa process. Premiums (AED 130-320 per visa per year) are collected and remitted, replacing the previous AED 2,000 security deposit model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is a government-owned business licensing authority that issues trade and industrial licences for free zone and non-free zone entities in the UAE, processes employment and residence visas, and leases industrial, commercial and coworking facilities. It operates as a one-stop shop consolidating company formation, licensing, visa processing, leasing, banking facilitation and government services under a single authority serving startups, SMEs, freelancers, and large manufacturers.

Product overview

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is a business licensing authority and economic zone operated by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, offering a comprehensive platform for UAE company formation supporting over 40,000 companies across more than 50 sectors. The platform provides a unified ecosystem combining core licensing products (Instant License, All-Inclusive Business Setup, Biz Starter Package, Freelancer Permit) with value-added services (Golden/Green Visa Services, Employment/Dependent/Student/Tourist Visas, Workers Protection Insurance, Business Bank Account Opening, E-Commerce Package, BusinessWomen Package). Infrastructure offerings include warehouse leasing, Compass Coworking Centre, and self-storage facilities. Digital access is provided through Portal 360 and the RAKEZ E-Services Portal, enabling end-to-end digital company formation, visa processing, and government service management. The RAKEZ Designated Zone offers tax optimization with 0% corporate tax rates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Instant License Digital business licensing solution enabling companies to obtain their business license in less than five minutes through a fully online process, targeted at entrepreneurs seeking fast UAE market entry.
• All-Inclusive Business Setup Package Comprehensive business setup package priced at AED 14,000 covering company formation, basic facilities access, and essential services for SMEs launching in the UAE.
• Biz Starter Package Express business setup package enabling UAE-resident entrepreneurs to establish a company for AED 6,000 with operational readiness within 24 hours, including trade licence, up to 10 business activities, and corporate bank account eligibility.
• Freelancer Permit Freelance visa and permit service from AED 6,100, designed for media and education professionals with access to business centres, support services, and UAE residence visa eligibility.
• RAKEZ Designated Zone Designated zone classification offering a guaranteed 0% corporate tax rate for qualifying businesses establishing operations within this zone, providing tax optimization benefits alongside standard licensing.
• E-Commerce Package Comprehensive e-commerce setup package including Amazon seller registration, educational content, training, direct sessions, workshops, and support services for launching online businesses.
• BusinessWomen Package Exclusive business setup package designed for women entrepreneurs, priced at AED 6,000, offering tailored support for launching and growing businesses.
• Warehouse Leasing Customizable warehouse leasing program with rates from AED 90-140 per square meter across Al Hamra and Al Hulaila Industrial Zones, with options for light and heavy industries.
• Business Bank Account Opening Expert-guided service for opening business bank accounts in the UAE, providing step-by-step application support and documentation guidance starting from AED 2,749.
• Golden Visa Services 10-year UAE Golden Visa service for investors, real estate investors, and specialists with packages starting from AED 10,984, including end-to-end visa and Emirates ID processing.
• Green Visa Services 5-year UAE Green Visa service for investors (AED 1 million share capital) and employees (AED 15,000 monthly salary), with packages starting from AED 8,984.
• Compass Coworking Centre Coworking space facility offering flexible membership options including daily, weekly, and monthly permits, with access to business community events, networking opportunities, and business support services.
• Self-Storage Facility Self-storage units available in Al Hamra location, providing flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals within the RAKEZ ecosystem.
• Employment Visa Services Comprehensive employment visa services for investors, partners, and employees including new visa applications, renewals, and cancellations across inside-UAE and outside-UAE pathways.
• Dependent Visa Services Residence visa services for family members including spouses, children (below and above 18 years), and newborns, with packages starting from AED 1,505.
• Student Visa Services Visa services for students enrolled in universities registered at RAK Academic Zone, including new visa applications, renewals, and cancellations.
• Tourist Visa Services Tourist visa services for UAE visitors with 30-day visa at AED 395 and 60-day visa at AED 600, with 2-4 business day processing.
• Workers Protection Insurance Programme Mandatory insurance coverage for employees of RAKEZ-registered companies provided through RAKINSURANCE, replacing visa deposits and providing coverage for unpaid salary, end-of-service gratuity, repatriation costs, and work-related injuries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Business setup can be completed in as little as 3 working days
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026RAKEZ partnered with MBRIF, a UAE Ministry of Finance initiative, to provide RAKEZ customers with access to funding opportunities, mentorship programmes, expert advisory services, and workshops covering growth planning, financial management, and market expansion. The collaboration aims to create a stronger support system for innovative businesses to scale within the UAE market. Partnership formalised at Compass Coworking Centre.
• Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Strategic partnership with MBRIF to provide RAKEZ customers with access to financing pathways, structured mentorship, expert advisory services, and connections to a wider network of partners and investors. Aimed at accelerating business growth and contributing to UAE economic diversification goals.
• DHL Express UAEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026RAKEZ signed an MoU with DHL Express UAE to provide RAKEZ clients with international logistics solutions, sustainable shipping options, and customs clearance support, enhancing the zone's logistics ecosystem.
• Olive GaeaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026RAKEZ signed an MoU with climate-tech firm Olive Gaea to promote practical ESG adoption across the RAKEZ business community, supporting sustainability and environmental compliance for zone companies.
• Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026MoU between RAKEZ and EPDA to establish a streamlined approval framework for new industrial activities in cement, chemical, and general industrial sectors. The partnership aims to accelerate environmental licensing procedures, enhance regulatory clarity, and ensure compliance with environmental standards. Includes knowledge sharing and joint training initiatives.
• National Bank of Fujairah PJSC (NBF)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 February 2026RAKEZ and NBF renewed their strategic partnership through an MoU to expand integrated banking solutions for RAKEZ-registered businesses including SMEs and corporates. NBF provides streamlined business account opening, cash management solutions, financing options, and dedicated onboarding support.
• RAKINSURANCEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAKEZ partnered with RAKINSURANCE to provide Workers Protection Insurance coverage to employees of RAKEZ-registered companies. The insurance replaces the AED 2,000 visa deposit requirement and covers due salary, end-of-service gratuity, repatriation costs, and work-related injuries.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM): ADGM is Abu Dhabi's international financial free zone offering licensing for financial services, professional services, and holding companies. It competes with RAKEZ for high-value international investors, family offices, and Designated Zone-style tax-efficient structures.
• Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA): JAFZA is the largest free zone in the UAE and operates under DP World, providing company formation, licensing, and industrial/warehousing infrastructure in Jebel Ali, Dubai. It is the most direct large-scale competitor to RAKEZ for industrial and trading tenants seeking UAE free-zone setup.
• Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD): KIZAD is Abu Dhabi's flagship industrial and logistics free zone operated by Abu Dhabi Ports, offering large-scale industrial land, warehousing, and deep-water port connectivity. It is a comparable industrial-tenant competitor with larger-scale infrastructure targeting manufacturers in the UAE.
• DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre): DMCC is a Dubai-based free zone focused on commodities, trading, and SME formation, with over 23,000 member companies and award-winning digital services. It competes with RAKEZ for international SMEs and trading companies evaluating UAE free-zone entry, with stronger global brand recognition.
• Ajman Free Zone Authority (AFZA): AFZA is an Ajman-based free zone providing company formation, licensing, and office/warehouse facilities at low cost points. It competes directly with RAKEZ's SME and freelancer packages for cost-sensitive startups and small businesses.
• Sharjah Free Zones Authority (SAIF Zone): SAIF Zone is a Sharjah-based free zone offering industrial, commercial, and service licenses with on-site office and warehousing facilities. It is a direct competitor to RAKEZ in the Northern Emirates for industrial tenants, with comparable pricing and a similar focus on SMEs and manufacturers.
• Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA): HFZA is a Sharjah-based free zone offering industrial land, warehouses, offices, and licensing for SMEs and manufacturers. It is a direct regional peer to RAKEZ's industrial zones, targeting similar tenants with comparable SME setup packages.

Regional players

• Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ): UAQ FTZ is a smaller Northern Emirates free zone offering SME-friendly company formation and warehousing. It is a regional peer to RAKEZ targeting cost-sensitive SMEs and freelancers, though with smaller scale and less industrial focus.
• Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA): FFZA is a Fujairah-based free zone offering industrial and commercial licensing with port and bunkering access. It is a regional peer in the Northern Emirates targeting industrial tenants with similar cost structure to RAKEZ but primarily serving the East Coast market.

Broad incumbents

• Dubai Internet City / Tecom Group: Tecom Group operates multiple Dubai free zones including Dubai Internet City, Media City, and Design District, focused on technology, media, and knowledge-economy tenants. It is a broader incumbent competing with RAKEZ for startup and SME tenants in technology, media, and professional services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/myrakez
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/rakez
• Facebookfacebook.com/myrakez
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rakez
• Instagraminstagram.com/myrakez

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone