Ras Al Khaimah has made its business setup most simple and appealing: Offshore & Free Zone Guide 2026

Why Ras Al Khaimah is Ideal for Business Setup

Ras Al Khaimah offers a founder-friendly ecosystem with low setup costs, simple regulations, and scalable structures. Compared to other Emirates, a RAK business setup allows flexibility for international operations, holding companies, and operational businesses alike.

The two main options are:

• RAK ICC – Offshore company formation for holdings and international businesses

• RAKEZ – Free Zone company setup for operational UAE businesses

The right choice depends on how and where your business operates, rather than just cost. And the best part? Both options can be completed in as little as 1–3 days, so you can start quickly without compromising structure.

RAK ICC: Offshore company formation in Ras Al Khaimah

RAK ICC is a pure offshore structure designed for international and non-operational businesses. It is not a Free Zone or Mainland license, and it cannot conduct business within the UAE.

Why RAK ICC works:

• No physical UAE office required

• No local employees or visas

• Governed by RAK ICC regulations

This setup is perfect for businesses that don’t need UAE operations. For example:

• Family offices with multiple overseas businesses often use a RAK ICC company formation to consolidate ownership and safeguard intellectual property.

• Freelancers or international consultants can invoice clients worldwide through RAK ICC without needing a UAE office.

RAK ICC is ideal if your goal is asset protection, international trading, or structured family/group ownership.

RAKEZ Free Zone: Operational Business Setup

If your business plans to operate in the UAE, hire employees, or register for VAT, RAKEZ Free Zone is the practical choice.

Who it’s for:

• Startups and service providers

• E-commerce and digital businesses

• Industrial, manufacturing, and trading companies

• Academic and training institutions

What RAKEZ enables:

• UAE commercial licences

• Office, flexi-desk, or warehouse facilities

• Employee visas

• VAT registration

• Legal operations in the UAE

For instance:

• A UAE-based e-commerce startup may choose a RAKEZ company setup to legally sell products and hire staff locally.

• Manufacturing or trading businesses often select RAKEZ with a warehouse licence to efficiently manage goods and import/export operations.

Ras Al Khaimah offers affordable, flexible, and globally relevant structures. But only the right setup unlocks these benefits. Choose based on purpose, not just cost, and start building a company that grows with you.

Start your RAK company setup

How to Decide on the Right Ras Al Khaimah Business Setup

Here’s a simple framework:

Choose RAK ICC Offshore if you want to:

• Hold shares in other companies

• Own intellectual property or assets

• Conduct business outside the UAE

• Structure family or group entities

Choose RAKEZ Free Zone if you want to:

• Operate or sell within the UAE

• Hire local employees

• Register for VAT

• Access UAE commercial licenses.

Many founders start offshore just to save costs and later convert to a Free Zone. This often results in higher restructuring costs and delays.

How Kitaab supports your RAK company formation

At Kitaab, we make Ras Al Khaimah business setup simple, fast, and fully compliant. Whether you’re setting up a RAK ICC company for international operations or a RAKEZ Free Zone company for UAE-based activities, we handle the incorporation end-to-end.

As a licensed agent for RAK ICC and an incorporation expert in RAKEZ, our team ensures your company is structured for VAT, corporate tax, and regulatory compliance, while maintaining accurate records from day one. With Kitaab, your RAK business setup can be completed in just 1–3 working days, giving you the speed, clarity, and confidence to focus on growing your business.

Start our RAK Company Setup