RAKEZ Business Activity List : Licence Types, Costs & Approved Activities

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RAKEZ Business Activity List 2026: Complete Licence Categories, Costs, Eligibility & Company Setup Guide

The RAKEZ Business Activity List includes hundreds of approved commercial, industrial, service, educational, media, e-commerce, logistics, hospitality, consultancy, and manufacturing activities available under Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ). Choosing the correct activity is one of the most important decisions during company formation because it determines your licence type, operational scope, visa eligibility, facility requirements, approval requirements, and future expansion opportunities.

RAKEZ has become one of the UAE’s most attractive business destinations for startups, SMEs, industrial enterprises, consultants, traders, manufacturers, and international investors seeking a cost-effective alternative to some of the more expensive UAE free zones.

Whether you are launching a trading company, manufacturing facility, consultancy firm, logistics business, e-commerce platform, educational institute, or media agency, understanding the complete RAKEZ business activity framework will help you select the most suitable licence and avoid costly amendments later.

What is RAKEZ?

RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is one of the UAE’s largest economic zones and business licensing authorities. It was formed through the consolidation of the former RAK Free Trade Zone and RAK Investment Authority to create a unified ecosystem supporting local and international businesses.

Located in Ras Al Khaimah, RAKEZ serves startups, SMEs, multinational corporations, industrial manufacturers, logistics operators, consultants, and entrepreneurs across multiple sectors.

Its strategic location provides businesses with access to UAE markets, GCC countries, Asia, Africa, and Europe while benefiting from flexible licensing options and competitive setup costs.

Businesses evaluating UAE free zones often compare RAKEZ with other jurisdictions before deciding where to establish operations. You may also find it useful to review our guide on UAE Free Zone Business Setup and How to Start a Business in UAE Free Zones.

Why Investors Choose RAKEZ for Business Setup

RAKEZ has become increasingly popular among entrepreneurs and international investors due to its combination of affordability, infrastructure, and licensing flexibility.

Key Advantages of RAKEZ

100% foreign ownership
Competitive licence costs
Access to warehouses and industrial facilities
Manufacturing-friendly ecosystem
Multiple licence categories
Flexible visa packages
Industrial land availability
Fast company registration process
Access to UAE and international markets
Strong logistics and transportation connectivity

Feature	RAKEZ	Typical UAE Free Zone
Business Setup Cost	Competitive	Moderate to High
Industrial Facilities	Extensive	Limited
Warehousing	Available	Varies
Manufacturing Support	Strong	Limited

RAKEZ Licence Types Explained

Before selecting a business activity, investors must understand the licence categories available within RAKEZ.

Licence Type	Suitable For
Commercial Licence	Trading and commercial activities
General Trading Licence	Multiple product categories
Service Licence	Consultancy and professional services
Industrial Licence	Manufacturing and production
Educational Licence	Training and educational services
Media Licence	Creative and media businesses
E-Commerce Licence	Online businesses
Freelance Permit	Independent professionals

Businesses involved in product sales and imports often compare commercial and general trading licences. Learn more about General Trading Licence Setup in the UAE.

Complete RAKEZ Business Activity List

Commercial & Trading Activities

General Trading
Import and Export of Goods
Foodstuff Trading
Electronics Trading
Electrical Equipment Trading
Medical Equipment Trading
Safety Equipment Trading
Automobile Spare Parts Trading
Building Materials Trading
Fashion Products Trading
Jewellery Trading
Watch Trading
Baby Products Trading
Furniture Trading
Home Décor Trading
Kitchen Appliances Trading
Laboratory Supplies Trading
Industrial Equipment Trading
Raw Material Trading

E-Commerce Activities

Online Retail Trading
Food Delivery Platforms
Digital Product Sales
Marketplace Platforms
Online Electronics Stores
Online Fashion Stores
Health and Wellness E-Commerce
Web Development Services
App Development Services
Webinar Platforms
Virtual Event Platforms
Subscription-Based Services

Entrepreneurs planning online businesses can also review our detailed guide on Starting an E-Commerce Business in the UAE.

Consultancy & Professional Services Activities

Business Consultancy
Management Consultancy
IT Consultancy
HR Consultancy
Recruitment Consultancy
Accounting Services
Bookkeeping Services
Audit Support Services
Marketing Consultancy
Advertising Consultancy
Engineering Consultancy
Real Estate Consultancy
Investment Advisory Services
Financial Planning Services
Travel Consultancy
Facility Management Consultancy
Translation Services
Project Management Consultancy

Manufacturing & Industrial Activities

Food Manufacturing
Beverage Manufacturing
Automobile Component Production
Industrial Component Manufacturing
Light Machinery Assembly
Building Material Production
Rubber Product Manufacturing
Textile Manufacturing
Packaging Operations
Furniture Manufacturing
Woodwork Manufacturing
Metal Fabrication
Leather Product Manufacturing
Cosmetics Manufacturing
Stationery Production
Plastic Product Manufacturing

Media Activities

Advertising Agencies
Marketing Agencies
Graphic Design
Creative Services
Web Design Services
Digital Media Production
Film Production
TV Production
Social Media Management
Content Creation
Photography Services
Videography Services
Animation Services
Podcast Production
PR & Communication Agencies

Educational Activities

Training Centres
Educational Consultancy
Skill Development Programmes
Vocational Training
IT Training Courses
Language Schools
Art Academies
Music Academies
Dance Academies
Corporate Training
Leadership Development Training
E-Learning Platforms

Can You Add Multiple Activities Under One RAKEZ Licence?

Yes. RAKEZ generally allows multiple business activities under a single licence, provided the activities fall within compatible categories and comply with licensing regulations.

Many investors combine consultancy, marketing, management, digital services, software development, and related activities under one licence structure to maximize flexibility.

However, certain regulated sectors may require external approvals, additional licences, or separate authorizations from competent authorities.

How to Choose the Right RAKEZ Business Activity

Choose Commercial Licence If:

You buy and sell products
You import or export goods
You operate a wholesale business
You distribute products in the UAE or internationally

Choose Service Licence If:

You provide consultancy services
You offer IT services
You provide marketing services
You provide professional advice

Choose Industrial Licence If:

You manufacture products
You assemble products
You process raw materials
You operate a production facility

RAKEZ Company Formation Process

Step 1: Select Business Activity

Choose the activity that accurately reflects your intended operations.

Step 2: Select Licence Type

Match your business activity to the appropriate licence category.

Step 3: Choose Company Structure

Select the legal structure suitable for your ownership model.

Step 4: Submit Required Documents

Provide shareholder and company documentation.

Step 5: Obtain Licence Approval

RAKEZ reviews and issues the licence.

Step 6: Apply for Visas

Owners and employees may apply for residence visas.

Step 7: Open Corporate Bank Account

Complete corporate banking requirements.

Businesses requiring end-to-end support often use Corporate PRO Services to manage company formation, immigration, licensing, and compliance requirements.

Need Help Choosing the Right RAKEZ Activity?
Selecting the wrong activity can result in unnecessary costs, approval delays, and future licensing restrictions. GloboPrime’s business setup specialists can help you identify the most suitable RAKEZ licence structure based on your business goals, expansion plans, and operational requirements.

RAKEZ Company Setup Cost

RAKEZ company setup cost depends on the selected licence type, number of business activities, shareholder structure, visa requirement, facility type, external approvals, and whether the business is formed in a free zone or non-free zone structure. Investors should treat published package prices as starting points because the final quotation may change based on activity approvals, lease requirements, visa allocation, and optional support services.

Based on official RAKEZ package information, the following cost ranges can help investors estimate the starting budget for a RAKEZ business licence.

RAKEZ Package / Cost Item	Published Starting Cost	What It Is Suitable For	Key Notes
Instant Licence Basic Package	From AED 6,000	Startups, freelancers, solo entrepreneurs, and simple business models	Designed for quick setup. Generally suitable for one shareholder, one business activity, and access to a co-working facility.
Instant Licence Lite Package	From AED 12,000	Businesses that require more flexibility than the basic package	Suitable for investors who need a broader setup option than the entry-level package. Final inclusions should be confirmed before application.
All-Inclusive Business Setup Package	From AED 14,000 per year	Entrepreneurs who need licence setup with UAE residence visa support	RAKEZ describes this as an all-inclusive package with one UAE residence visa and company formation support.
RAKEZ Designated Zone Package	From AED 16,550 annually	Trading, general trading, warehousing, logistics, inventory control, and tangible goods handling businesses	Includes one UAE residence visa according to RAKEZ published package information. Designed for businesses seeking Designated Zone benefits, subject to qualifying activity conditions.
E-Commerce Package Benefits	Cost varies by package	Online stores, digital platforms, marketplace operators, and electronic trading businesses	RAKEZ highlights benefits such as additional activity support, one UAE residence visa, and discounts on selected digital business services. Final pricing depends on selected package and approvals.

Important Cost Note:
RAKEZ setup packages are subject to change, and the final cost may differ depending on business activity, licence category, number of shareholders, number of activities, visa allocation, facility lease, external authority approval, corporate tax registration, VAT registration, and optional value-added services.

Additional Costs Investors Should Consider

The licence package is only one part of the total RAKEZ company formation budget. Depending on the business model, investors may also need to budget for the following items:

Company registration and licence issuance fees
Trade name reservation or approval fees, where applicable
Facility lease, co-working space, office, warehouse, or land lease
UAE residence visa, Emirates ID, medical test, and immigration file costs
External approvals for regulated activities
Corporate Tax registration and accounting support
VAT registration if taxable supplies and imports cross the mandatory threshold
Bank account opening support, if required
Operation Fitness Certificate requirements for certain warehouse or industrial facilities
Licence renewal fees after the first year

VAT and Corporate Tax Considerations

Tax / Compliance Area	Requirement	What RAKEZ Investors Should Know
Corporate Tax Registration	Applicable to Free Zone Persons	Free zone companies must assess Corporate Tax registration and filing obligations even if they expect to qualify for 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income.
0% Corporate Tax	Only for qualifying income	A RAKEZ company may benefit from 0% Corporate Tax only if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions and earns qualifying income.
9% Corporate Tax	May apply to non-qualifying income	Income that does not meet the qualifying conditions may be subject to the standard UAE Corporate Tax rate.
VAT Registration	Mandatory above AED 375,000 taxable supplies and imports	Businesses may voluntarily register if taxable supplies, imports, or taxable expenses exceed AED 187,500, subject to FTA rules.

RAKEZ Business Setup Eligibility Requirements

RAKEZ is suitable for UAE residents, non-resident foreign investors, startups, SMEs, consultants, traders, manufacturers, logistics companies, e-commerce businesses, educational service providers, media companies, and industrial operators. However, eligibility depends on the selected business activity, licence type, legal structure, shareholder details, facility requirement, and whether any external regulatory approval is required.

Who Can Apply for a RAKEZ Licence?

Applicant Type	Eligibility	Common Use Case
Individual Shareholder	Eligible, subject to documentation and activity approval	Consultancy, e-commerce, trading, media, professional services, and startup businesses
Foreign Investor	Eligible for 100% foreign ownership in suitable RAKEZ structures	International entrepreneurs setting up a UAE free zone company
Multiple Shareholders	Eligible, subject to selected package and legal entity structure	Partnerships, SMEs, family businesses, and investor groups
Existing UAE Company	May be eligible to establish a branch or related entity	Expansion into Ras Al Khaimah, warehousing, logistics, or additional licensed operations
Foreign Company	May be eligible to establish a branch, subject to parent company documents	International companies entering the UAE or GCC market

Basic RAKEZ Eligibility Checklist

The proposed activity must be available under the RAKEZ approved business activity list.
The selected activity must match the correct licence type, such as commercial, service, e-commerce, industrial, educational, media, professional, or general trading.
The applicant must provide valid shareholder documents, including passport copies and UAE visa or Emirates ID details where applicable.
UAE residents may need a No Objection Certificate if required by their current sponsorship status.
The company must select a suitable legal structure, such as FZ-LLC, branch, individual/professional setup, or another permitted structure.
The business must select a suitable facility, such as co-working space, office, warehouse, industrial land, or customised facility where required.
Regulated activities may require external approval before or during licence issuance.
Industrial, warehouse, food-related, healthcare-related, education-related, and certain technical activities may require additional compliance checks.
The licence must be renewed before expiry to avoid penalties or operational disruption.

Documents Commonly Required for RAKEZ Company Formation

Document	When It Is Required
Trade licence application form	Required during company registration and licence application
Passport copy	Required for shareholders, manager, and authorised signatories
UAE visa or entry stamp	Required where applicable, especially for UAE residents or applicants already inside the UAE
Emirates ID	Required where applicable for UAE residents
No Objection Certificate	May be required for UAE residents depending on sponsorship status
Business plan	May be required for selected activities, industrial projects, branches, or regulated business models
Tenancy contract or lease agreement	Required where a facility, office, warehouse, or land lease is part of the setup
Memorandum of Association	Required for Limited Liability Company structures where applicable
Parent company documents	Required for UAE company branches or foreign company branches

Eligibility by Licence Type

Licence Type	Eligible Business Activities	Extra Approval Risk
Commercial Licence	Trading in goods and services	May apply for regulated goods, food items, medical products, or restricted categories
General Trading Licence	Trading in multiple goods categories	May require additional approvals depending on product category
Service Licence	Consultancy, management, IT, marketing, and professional services	Usually lower, unless the activity is regulated
E-Commerce Licence	Trading in goods and services through electronic means	May require digital, platform, telecom, payment, or product-related approvals depending on the model
Industrial Licence	Manufacturing, importing, packaging, processing, and exporting products	Higher approval risk due to facility, safety, environmental, and operational requirements
Educational Licence	Training, educational consultancy, and education-related institutions	May require education authority approvals depending on activity scope
Media Licence	Media, creative, content, design, production, and communication activities	May require content, media, or activity-specific approvals
Freelancer Permit	Eligible media, education, IT, and analyst professionals	Depends on profession and permit category

Compliance Warning:
Selecting a low-cost package does not automatically mean the activity is approved for every business model. Activities involving healthcare, education, food, industrial production, financial services, recruitment, logistics, e-commerce platforms, regulated goods, or warehousing may need additional approvals, facility checks, or authority-specific compliance before operations begin.

Who Should Choose a RAKEZ Designated Zone Setup?

A RAKEZ Designated Zone setup may be suitable for businesses involved in trading, general trading, warehousing, transportation, logistics management, inventory control, and tangible goods handling. This option is especially relevant for companies that want to evaluate potential 0% Corporate Tax treatment on qualifying income, subject to meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions and maintaining the required substance and compliance standards.

Trading and general trading companies handling physical goods
Import, export, re-export, and distribution businesses
Warehousing and inventory management companies
Logistics and transportation-related businesses
Businesses requiring offices, warehouses, or land for development
Companies seeking a setup structure aligned with Designated Zone qualifying activity conditions

Final Takeaway

The RAKEZ Business Activity List provides investors with one of the UAE’s broadest selections of commercial, industrial, consultancy, educational, media, manufacturing, and e-commerce activities. Choosing the correct activity at the beginning of your company formation journey can significantly reduce licensing complications while ensuring your business remains scalable as it grows.

Whether you are launching a consultancy, manufacturing facility, logistics company, trading business, digital agency, educational institution, or e-commerce platform, RAKEZ offers flexible licensing solutions designed to support long-term business success in the UAE.