Business Setup in Ras Al Khaimah.
Company formation in RAK from a team based inside RAKEZ — the same accountants who'll file your tax returns once the licence is issued.
- RAKEZ Partner
- Tax Agent
- Office in RAKEZ
A Cheaper Licence Only Pays Off If the Structure Is Right.
Ras Al Khaimah is one of the most cost-effective places to start a company in the UAE: more than 300 licence activities across different industries, lower licence and office costs, room to grow in facilities and infrastructure, 100% foreign ownership and Dubai an hour’s drive away. But the savings disappear quickly if the activity codes, jurisdiction or shareholding don’t fit how your business actually earns money.
That’s why we look at your customers, visas, banking and tax position together before recommending a zone or a package.
Our office is at Explorer Business Hub, inside RAKEZ. We deal with the authority face to face, not from a desk in Dubai. With 20+ years’ experience in the UAE, we’ll set up your company, register it with the FTA and keep your books from day one.
RAKEZ Free Zone or RAK Mainland
Ras Al Khaimah lets you register both free zone and mainland companies. The right choice depends on where your customers are, how many visas you need and what your tax position looks like in three years.
| RAKEZ Free Zone | RAK Mainland | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | RAKEZ Free Zone 100% | RAK Mainland 100% for most activities |
| Where you can trade | RAKEZ Free Zone Within the free zone and internationally; UAE mainland through a distributor or a branch | RAK Mainland Anywhere in the UAE and internationally |
| Corporate Tax | RAKEZ Free Zone 9% above AED 375,000 — or 0% on qualifying income if the company meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions | RAK Mainland 9% above AED 375,000, 0% below. Revenue under AED 3 million may qualify for Small Business Relief. |
| VAT registration | RAKEZ Free Zone Mandatory above AED 375,000 in taxable supplies; voluntary from AED 187,500 | RAK Mainland Same |
| Residence visas | RAKEZ Free Zone Quota tied to your RAKEZ package and facility | RAK Mainland Quota tied to your office space |
| Office | RAKEZ Free Zone Flexi-desk or shared workspace accepted for many packages; offices, warehouses and land available | RAK Mainland Physical premises with a registered tenancy contract |
| Works best for | RAKEZ Free Zone Consulting, IT, e-commerce, trading, light industry, holding structures | RAK Mainland Retail, F&B, contracting, UAE-facing services |
The free zone 0% rate is not automatic. It applies to qualifying income only, requires real substance in the UAE and is tested every year. We model it before you choose a package.
What's Included in Business Setup in RAK
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01
Zone & Activity
RAKEZ, Innovation City or mainland — matched to how your business actually earns money.
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02
Structure Memo
A written recommendation with full cost and tax comparison, before you pay any authority fees.
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03
Package & Facility
The RAKEZ package and facility that fit your visa needs: flexi-desk, office or warehouse.
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04
Name & Approvals
Name reservation and initial approvals, handled end to end.
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05
Incorporation Documents
MoA and shareholder documents prepared to the authority's requirements.
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06
Trade Licence
Your licence issued, with activity codes that match what you actually invoice.
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07
Establishment Card & Visas
Establishment card, investor visa, medical and Emirates ID for you and your team.
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08
Corporate Bank Account
Bank selection, compliance file, application and interview support.
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09
Tax & Accounting
Corporate Tax and VAT registration with the FTA, bookkeeping and a filing calendar from your first invoice.
Open the Bank Account.
A RAK licence is quick to get. The bank is where setups stall, and the outcome depends on your compliance file, not on the application form.
We prepare that file before we apply: business rationale, source of funds, expected transactions and counterparties. We recommend the banks that fit your profile, including RAKBANK, headquartered right here in Ras Al Khaimah, and we tell you upfront when a bank is unlikely to accept your case.
The exact document list banks ask for — free, straight to your inbox.
How Business Setup in Ras Al Khaimah Works
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1
Discovery call
30 minutes online or at our office in RAKEZ: your activity, customers, visas and residency.
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2
Structure recommendation
A written memo: recommended zone, package, full cost breakdown and your tax position.
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3
Licence and registration
Application, approvals, documentation and licence issuance.
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4
Visas and Emirates ID
Establishment card, entry permit, medical, biometrics and visa stamping.
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5
Corporate bank account
Bank selection, compliance file, application and interview support.
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6
Compliance switched on
Corporate Tax registration, VAT where applicable, bookkeeping and a filing calendar.
How long will your RAK setup take?
It depends on the zone, your activity and your bank. Tell us about your case and we'll give you a realistic schedule.
What Will Your RAK Setup Cost?
RAKEZ offers some of the most affordable licence packages in the UAE, but the final cost depends on your activity, number of visas and facility, and packages change during the year. Tell us your case and you get a full written breakdown: our fee fixed, government fees passed through at cost.
Year Two and Beyond: Running a Company in RAK
Most setup quotes stop at the licence. Here is what a Ras Al Khaimah company pays for after month twelve, so nothing surprises you.
- RAKEZ licence renewal annually
- Visa renewal, per person every two years
- Bookkeeping monthly
- Corporate Tax return annually
- VAT returns, if registered quarterly
- Audit, where required annually
Every one of these is in your written quote before you incorporate.
Why Founders Choose A Consulting in RAK
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01
We're in RAKEZ, not calling it from Dubai.
Our office is at Explorer Business Hub. As a RAKEZ Partner, we know the packages, requirements and people, and you can meet us in person.
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02
We stay after the licence is issued.
We file your returns, so the structure we build has to still work in year three.
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03
An FTA-registered Tax Agent in-house.
Our founder Oxana Josan holds ACCA and ATT designations and is registered with the Federal Tax Authority as a Tax Agent, so she deals with the FTA directly on your behalf.
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04
One team, incorporation to audit.
Setup, bookkeeping, VAT, corporate tax and payroll with one team. You explain your business once.
The Team
Oxana Josan
Oxana founded A Consulting after 20+ years working in corporate finance, taxation, and regulatory compliance in the UAE. She holds both ACCA and ATT designations — and is registered with the Federal Tax Authority as a Tax Agent. One of very few advisers in the UAE elected to the FTA Business Advisory Group.
Duleeka Jayarathna
Big Four audit background combined with ATT UAE VAT certification and solid commercial exposure. Specialises in audit, tax compliance, finance operations and reporting. Known for her calm, thoughtful approach -a trusted partner for clients navigating complex structures.
Mylene Remolacio
8 years in UAE and Saudi Arabia practice. Specialist in financial reporting, import/export, VAT compliance for Free Zone operations, and day-to-day accounting across manufacturing and trading. Brings precision, reliability, and warmth clients notice immediately.
Client Reviews
I would like to sincerely thank Oxana Josan for her outstanding service and professionalism. From the very first contact, Oxana was attentive, knowledgeable, and supportive. She took the time to explain everything clearly and stayed in touch throughout the process. The entire experience was smooth, efficient, and stress-free — it's rare to find someone so dedicated and genuinely helpful. Highly recommend A Consulting to anyone looking for a reliable, well-organized, and customer-focused company.
Frequently Asked Questions
A RAKEZ free zone company suits consulting, IT, e-commerce and international trading. If you sell directly to customers across the UAE, open premises or bid for government contracts, mainland is usually the better fit. We compare both against your customers, visas and tax position.
Most of the process can be completed remotely. You will need to be in the UAE for the visa medical test and Emirates ID biometrics if you apply for a residence visa.
It depends on the zone, your activity and how quickly documents are ready. Free zone licences are usually among the fastest to obtain once documents are in order; visas and the bank account take additional time. We give you a realistic schedule for your case.
RAKEZ covers most trading, service, e-commerce and industrial activities. Innovation City is built for technology companies in AI, Web3, gaming and robotics. We help you choose based on your activity.
Every UAE company must register for corporate tax. The standard rate is 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000. Free zone companies may qualify for 0% on qualifying income if they meet the conditions. As an FTA Registered Tax Agent, we register your company and handle filings.
Yes. A RAK free zone company can serve clients anywhere in the UAE and abroad for many service activities. For direct trading with the UAE market, a mainland licence may be the better choice.
Not always. Many RAKEZ packages include a flexi-desk or shared workspace, which is enough for licensing and a limited number of visas. Mainland companies need physical premises.
Starter RAKEZ licence packages begin from around AED 6,000 per year. As a ballpark, a RAKEZ company with one visa typically lands between AED 15,000 and 25,000 all-in. Packages change during the year, which is why we don’t publish a fixed price list. Before you commit you get an exact written breakdown: our fee fixed, government fees at cost.
As a ballpark: a free zone company with one visa typically lands between AED 15,000 and 25,000 all-in, mainland setups from around AED 30,000. Free zones revise their packages during the year, which is why we don’t publish a fixed price list. Before you commit you get an exact written breakdown for your case — our fee fixed, government and authority fees at cost.
What Comes Next
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Accounting & Bookkeeping
Monthly bookkeeping to IFRS standards, from your first invoice.
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VAT & Corporate Tax
Registration, returns, and FTA correspondence handled by a registered Tax Agent.
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Payroll & Compliance
WPS-compliant payroll, gratuity and HR documentation once you start hiring.
Ready to Set Up in Ras Al Khaimah?
Tell us what you're building. We'll come back with a structure recommendation and a full cost breakdown — no obligation. Prefer to meet? Visit us at Explorer Business Hub, RAKEZ.