Business Set-Up in RAK Zone

Business-focused legal support for business set-up in RAK zone in the UAE, helping companies reduce risk and move forward with confidence.

Company Incorporation & Formation in RAK

We guide businesses in choosing and establishing the right structure; covering liability, tax, and regulatory requirements to build a strong legal foundation.

In-depth description

Incorporation and Formation service offers expert guidance on choosing and establishing the right business structure. We provide insights into each structure’s liability, tax implications, and regulatory requirements, helping businesses make informed decisions for a strong legal foundation.

Scope of work

  • Prepare all required application forms for the chosen jurisdiction (mainland or free zone).
  • Draft the company’s constitutional documents (e.g., Memorandum of Association).
  • Manage the submission of the entire application file to the relevant authority.
  • Liaise with the authority until the trade license and corporate documents are issued.

Price range

AED 10,000 – AED 100,000
Cumulative assessment – billed Lump Sum.

Primary Determinants of Pricing
Existing structure, number of shareholders and stakeholders.
Private or public company.
Class of shares.

Deliverables

  • The company’s official Trade License.
  • The registered Memorandum of Association.
  • The Establishment Card and other ancillary corporate registration documents.

Is RAK the most cost-efficient base for your business?

Are you looking for a lower-cost UAE free zone option?

RAK free zones offer competitive licence fees and setup costs, making them popular for consultancies and trading companies.

Do you need a UAE base primarily for international operations?

RAK entities can conduct international business with full foreign ownership and zero corporate tax on qualifying income.

Unsure which UAE free zone fits your business best?

We compare RAK, DMCC, DIFC, and other zones on cost, activities, and restrictions so you choose the right one first time.

Do you want a UAE presence without a large physical footprint?

RAK free zones offer flexi-desk arrangements and virtual office options, making them ideal for lean international setups.

Frequently asked questions

Ras Al Khaimah’s main free zones are RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) for trading, services and industrial activities, and RAK ICC for offshore holding structures. RAK is widely used by cost-sensitive SMEs and entrepreneurs as well as international holding companies, due to its competitive fee structure.
RAKEZ supports commercial trading, industrial production, services, e-commerce, media and educational activities under a single zone with multiple sub-zones. License categories are flexible and a single license can accommodate multiple related activities. Regulated activities still require sector-specific federal approvals.
 
Yes. RAK ICC is one of the UAE’s established offshore registries, used for international holding companies, asset-holding vehicles and SPVs. It does not permit direct trading inside the UAE. Banking and substance requirements have tightened since 2020, so structures should be designed with current expectations in mind.
Not directly. Like other free zones, RAKEZ entities cannot sell directly to mainland UAE customers without a dual license or a mainland distributor. International trading and trading within RAK free zones is unrestricted. The right structure depends on whether mainland sales are part of the business model.

RAK is generally more cost-effective than Dubai free zones, with lower license fees and office costs. Dubai free zones (DMCC, DIFC, DSO) offer stronger brand recognition, larger client ecosystems and easier banking. For low-cost operations or pure holding structures, RAK is highly competitive; for client-facing business, Dubai often wins.

Key contacts:

Romain Astruc

Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation

Gabriel Elmarzouki

Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation

Robin Cordeiro

Associate – Corporate and Regulatory Consultant

Get in touch

Other services you might need

A RAK free zone company needs the same banking, tax and employment legal foundations as any other UAE entity from day one.

Bank Account Opening Assistance in the UAE

RAK free zone companies require a UAE corporate bank account. We handle the KYC file and coordinate the application.
Learn more

Accounting, Auditing & Tax - UAE Corporate Compliance

RAK entities are within scope of UAE corporate tax. We put the right accounting and tax framework in place from the start.
Learn more

Re-domiciliation - Transfer of Incorporation

If your needs change, we can transfer your RAK registration to DIFC, ADGM or another jurisdiction with full legal continuity.
Learn more

WHAT SET US APART

Why ASTRUC & Co

RAK free zones offer cost-effective company formation with genuine regulatory standing. We set up entities there the right way.

1.

Business-first advice

RAK suits certain models – holding structures, e-commerce, consultancy. We assess your activity and objectives honestly before recommending it as your UAE home base.

2.

End-to-end service

Licence, banking, employment contracts and compliance framework – we manage the full setup. A RAK entity requires the same legal foundations as any UAE company

3.

Cross-border fluency

International businesses using RAK as a UAE entry point need lawyers familiar with cross-border structures. We advise on both the UAE side and the interaction with your home

More than legal counsel

With you, all the way

Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.

From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.

Ready to move forward?

Book a consultation with our team to discuss your situation and explore the right legal and strategic approach for your business.

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Merger and Acquisition
  • Set-up of the Workstreams related to the Transaction
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Tax Due Diligence
  • Negotiating and Drafting the SPA
  • Assistance related to Conditions Precedents
  • Registration of the Transaction with the Authorities
Private Equity
  • Advisory on PE life cycle from Fund Formation, Capital Deployment, M&A, etc.
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Banking &Finance
  • Banking loan documentation negotiation and review including requested securities
  • Account opening requirements and forms
  • Compliance controls upon onboarding as a bank customer and regular updates to allow flawless funds repatriation
  • Escalation if needed with banking authorities and preparing file for litigation
  • Arabic speaker for immediate translation or intermediation with third parties including local authorities.
Commercial
  • Commercial Agency – Contract Drafting and Litigation
  • Rent-Sales Contract – Contract Drafting, Contract Management and Litigation
  • Logistic Services Contract
  • IT Services Contract
  • Intermediary Contract
  • Other Services Contract
Construction
  • FIDIC Short Form of Contract
  • FIDIC Larger or more complex projects (the Construction Contract)
  • FIDIC Contractor doing the Design (Plant and Design-Build Contract)
  • FIDIC EPC/Turnkey Contract
  • Review of Ad Hoc Contracts
  • Assistance for Management of the Contract
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Employment Relationship
  • Assistance during Recruitment Phase with Executive Search Agents or Recruitment Agency
  • Drafting Offer Letter and Employment Contract
  • Drafting Disciplinary Policy and Documentation
  • Registration of Company with Labour Authorities
  • Registration of Employee with Labour Authorities
  • Assistance During Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Termination Strategy and Execution
  • Litigation Services
HR Strategy – Advisory Services
  • Labour Market Analysis
  • Labour Legislation Memo and Manual
  • Analysis of Remuneration Trends, Structures and Composition
  • Labour Taxation
  • Industry Practice reg. bonus, schedule, overtime, leave, length of service, etc.
Business Set-Up and Maintenance
  • Comparative Study on Options Available
  • Legal Memorandum on Corporate and Tax Laws
  • Set-Up Services (Company, Immigration, Labour, Banking, Tax)
  • Nominee Services (Regulated Activity)
  • Shareholders Agreements
  • Board of Directors Structuring
  • Dissolution, Liquidation, Bankruptcy Proceedings
  • Litigation/Arbitration (Manager or Shareholders Dispute)
  • Redomiciliation
Joint Venture and Investors Relationship
  • Set-up of Joint Venture Company
  • Drafting Joint Venture Agreement
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Expatriation Services
  • Employment Package and Contract Review
  • Wealth Management Advisory
  • Tenancy Opportunities and Contract Advisory
  • Medical Insurance Advisory
  • Banking Advisory
  • School Advisory
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
Relocation
  • Resignation Strategy
  • Tax Situation Review
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
  • Administration of the Departure and Legal Representation
Advisory
  • Advisory Services on the Developer (reliability check)
  • Review of Contract with Developer
  • Conveyance of Property and Supervision of the Sales Process
  • Legal Representation for the Purchase/Sales
  • Assistance with Engineers and Contractors
  • Assistance with tenants or holidays home management firm
Litigation
  • Cancellation of Contract
  • Cancellation of Project
  • Disputes regarding Lands
  • Disputes regarding Permits and Licenses
  • Dispute with Engineer or Contractor
Civil Status
  • Amendment of Civil Status (divorced/married) in Home Country
  • Change of Name
  • Transcription of Marriage or Divorce
  • Legalisation Services with Consulate and Embassies
Nationality and Immigration
  • Application for Nationality due to family reasons
  • Coordination Services for Obtaining Nationality based on Investment (more than 40 countries)
  • Immigration Services to Schengen Country (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to GCC countries (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Golden Visa, Nationality)
Succession Planning
  • Overall Estate Planning with Financial and Legal Experts
  • Set-up of Shariah Compliant Foundation or Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Trust (DIFC, UAE, ADGM, Foreign based)
  • Set-up of Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Last Wills in the UAE, Qatar, KSA and various territories, as needed
  • Family Counseling - Mediation of dispute between family members
Inheritance Proceedings
  • In any country where there are assets
  • Court proceedings based on Shariah Law
  • Court proceedings based on Deceased Law
  • Court Proceedings based on Last Will
Crime against the Person and Narcotics
  • Assault, Sexual Abuse, Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Household Theft
  • Threat, Insult, Defamation, Harassment
  • Social Media Crimes
  • IT Crimes
  • Stealing or Misappropriation of Personal Data
  • Narcotics
Business Crimes
  • AML issues
  • Cryptocurrency and other Investment related Scams
  • Breach of Trust
  • Deception and Fraud
  • Theft of business secrets
  • Insolvency related Crimes
  • Accounting Crimes
  • Interpol
Marriages
  • Marriage between French nationals
  • Marriage involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Marriage involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Marriage involving two persons of different nationality
  • Marriage involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws
Divorces
  • Divorce between French nationals
  • Divorce involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Divorce involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Divorce involving two persons of different nationality
  • Divorce involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws