When did Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025 take effect?

15 October 2025 per Gibson Dunn and Norton Rose Fulbright. Clyde & Co states 15 November 2025. Several provisions are phased over 12-24 months.

Company Registration in RAKEZ

Government Fee

from 6 000 AED

Processing time

from 5 business days

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Ras Al Khaimah

RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2017 in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. RAKEZ is one of the largest and most dynamically developing business hubs in the region, attracting companies from over 50 industries, including trade, logistics, manufacturing, education, IT, and professional services. The free zone brings together small, medium, and large enterprises, offering a supportive ecosystem for growth and development. The free zone provides a wide range of infrastructure solutions, including industrial zones, office spaces, warehouse facilities, and land plots for bespoke construction projects. It is also renowned for its business support initiatives, such as training programs, industry exhibitions, and networking events, fostering new partnerships and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs. Businesses registered in RAKEZ are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE. RAKEZ issues the following types of business licenses: Commercial (wholesale and retail trade) Service (provision of services) Industrial (manufacturing) Educational E-commerce Freelance With its strategic location near key transportation hubs, modern infrastructure, and commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, RAKEZ is an ideal choice for businesses aiming to scale, expand internationally, and achieve sustainable growth within the UAE and beyond.

What you get:

Access to Local and Global Markets
Strategic Location
Remote Company Registration
Full Profit Control
Wide Range of Business Activities
Infrastructure
Tax and Customs Benefits
Ecosystem

About Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone

RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2017 in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. RAKEZ is one of the largest and most dynamically developing business hubs in the region, attracting companies from over 50 industries, including trade, logistics, manufacturing, education, IT, and professional services. The free zone brings together small, medium, and large enterprises, offering a supportive ecosystem for growth and development.

The free zone provides a wide range of infrastructure solutions, including industrial zones, office spaces, warehouse facilities, and land plots for bespoke construction projects. It is also renowned for its business support initiatives, such as training programs, industry exhibitions, and networking events, fostering new partnerships and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs. Businesses registered in RAKEZ are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE.

RAKEZ issues the following types of business licenses:

Commercial (wholesale and retail trade)
Service (provision of services)
Industrial (manufacturing)
Educational
E-commerce
Freelance

With its strategic location near key transportation hubs, modern infrastructure, and commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, RAKEZ is an ideal choice for businesses aiming to scale, expand internationally, and achieve sustainable growth within the UAE and beyond.

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We offer products RAKEZ

Company setup
Services related to the establishment of a new company
Service
Visa Obtaining
Assistance with filling out documents or turnkey visa obtaining services. The services includes various types of resident visas. Tourist and transit visas are not included
Service

Suitable Targets

Local Business

Company registration for conducting business that requires a local presence in the UAE.

International Business

Company registration for conducting business both within specific jurisdictions and outside the UAE, including international wholesale trade and the provision of services at a global level.

Regional Representation

Establishing permanent establishments or subsidiaries to promote interests and coordinate operations in the Middle Eastern market.

International Assets

Establishing a holding company in the UAE to own, manage, and oversee assets worldwide.

Resident Visa

Company registration for obtaining a UAE residency visa with the right to permanent residence, opening a bank account in UAE banks, and acquiring tax residency.

Popular Business Fields

Professional services
01
Information Technology & Communication
02
Automotive, Machinery & Equipment
03
Construction & Engineering
04
Household & Consumer Goods
05
Logistics & Transportation
06

RAKEZ Offices and Commercial Premises

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Coworking

CoworkingA workspace in a coworking with unlimited access during business hours. Coworking provides two hours of meeting room usage and 50 printing pages per month.  Dedicated DeskA dedicated desk in a shared office with access during business hours. 

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Offices

Dedicated OfficesA private office ranging from 5 to 16 sq.m. and from 16 to 24 sq.m. with unlimited 24/7 access.  Executive OfficesPrivate unfurnished offices with 24/7 access. Shell & Core OfficesShell-and-core offices for personalized design.

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Business Spaces

Specialized corporate spaces or business centers designed for business networking and corporate events, including offices, meeting rooms, training rooms, conference halls, and event spaces Meeting Rooms Event Spaces

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Warehouses

Empty or fully equipped warehouse units with professional machinery for sorting, storing, and refrigerating goods. Standard and cold storage options available. Office space inside the warehouse is provided. Units can be modified to meet specific requirements.

Land Plots

Land plots for long-term lease of 20+ years for development, commercial, and industrial use. The plots are located in the Technology and Industrial Parks, with existing buildings and labor accommodations on site.

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Accomodations

Facilities for employee and labour accommodation close to company premises

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Hubs

Specialized industry-focused spaces equipped with relevant infrastructure, bringing together companies, startups, and professionals for networking and innovation development Saqr Port — for receiving, transshipment, and dispatch of cargo by sea transport Industrial Zones: Al Hulaila Industrial Zone – for light industry and logistics Al Hamra Industrial Zone – for medium and large-scale industrial enterprises Al Ghail Industrial Zone – for large-scale industrial enterprises Economical Business Hub Al Nakheel Business Zone — for office and administrative activities Al Hamra Business Zone — for commercial activities, offices, and showrooms RAKEZ Media Zone — for media companies and professionals in the field of digital content

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Education Facilities

RAKEZ Academic Zone A specialized ecosystem for educational institutions, international university branches, schools, training centers, and other organizations operating in the field of education. RAKEZ Academic Zone provides land plots for campus development as well as ready-to-use infrastructure, including office spaces, classrooms, and student accommodation.

Requirements for Legal Entities Names

May contain the name of a shareholder
Must not violate the country laws or contain words that are obscene, indecent or generally offensive
Must not contain the names of Allah, Buddha or God, or any other religious terminology
Must not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights
Must not be identical or similar to local/global brands or registered trademarks
Must not contain geographical names, such as the names of emirates, cities, countries and other landmarks

Authorized capital requirements

The minimum share capital required for RAKEZ company is AED 10 000. Its contribution is optional.

Requirements may vary depending on the selected business activity.

Tax Regime and Profit Management

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Since January 1, 2018, the UAE has implemented a VAT rate of 5%, which applies to most goods and services and is charged to companies operating within the country, except for those registered in designated zones.
A Designated Zone is a territory within a free zone that is treated as outside the UAE for tax purposes, allowing goods to be exempt from taxation, provided certain criteria are met. The main taxation rules in Designated Zones are as follows:

The Designated Zones are listed in the Cabinet Decision to Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax (VAT).
Goods moved between or within Designated Zones are not subject to tax.
The export and import of goods between a Designated Zone and a foreign company are also not subject to tax.

For local companies and those registered in Non-Designated Zones (free zones not included in the Designated Zones list), the standard tax rules set forth in the Federal Decree-Law on VAT apply.

Companies with an annual turnover exceeding AED 375,000 are required to register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) as VAT taxpayers.
Companies with a turnover between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000 may register on a voluntary basis.
Companies can offset VAT paid on purchases of goods and services (input VAT) against the VAT they collect on sales (output VAT), shifting the tax burden to the final consumer.
Some goods and services may be exempt from VAT or taxed at a 0% rate, such as international transportation, educational, and medical services.

Corporate Tax

As of June 1, 2023, the UAE has introduced a corporate tax at a rate of 9%, levied on the taxable net profit of companies with income exceeding AED 375,000.
A 0% rate is applied to taxable income not exceeding AED 375,000.
Charitable, non-profit organizations and medical institutions are fully exempt from corporate tax.

Excise Tax

Since October 1, 2017, the UAE has introduced an excise tax aimed at reducing the consumption of harmful products and funding healthcare initiatives. The tax applies to alcohol, tobacco products, and beverages containing added sugar, including energy drinks and carbonated beverages.Excise tax rates vary depending on the product category:

50% on carbonated drinks (excluding mineral water)
100% on tobacco products
100% on energy drinks
100% on electronic smoking devices and liquids used for them
50% on products containing added sugar or sweeteners.

Companies dealing with excise goods must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), submit monthly declarations, and maintain records. Excise tax is paid upon the import, production, or release of goods for consumption in the UAE.

Customs Duties

Custom duties in the UAE are applied to most imported goods at a standard rate of 5% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF). Exceptions include certain categories of goods, such as medicines and food products, which may be exempt from duties or subject to a reduced rate.
Goods imported into UAE free zones are generally not subject to customs duties as long as they remain within these zones. However, when such goods are transferred to the UAE mainland, standard duties apply.

Personal Income Tax

In the UAE, personal income is not subject to taxation.
UAE citizens and residents are exempt from paying taxes on their personal income, including salaries, interest, dividends, inheritances, gifts, luxury goods, and capital gains.

Local Taxes and Fees

Individual emirates may impose specific local taxes and fees in line with their economic and social needs. These taxes and fees are aimed at supporting public services and implementing infrastructure projects.