Before you read further
RAK ICC may not fit 4 things you're probably after.
If any of these apply to you, the linked alternative will save you a week. Close this tab before you waste it.
Not for crypto / Web3
→ Compare launch routesVirtual-asset activities need a VARA / FSRA / DIFC licence; this zone doesn't issue one.
Not for F&B
→ MainlandRestaurants, cafés, cloud kitchens need a mainland DED foodservice licence. Free zones don't issue these.
Not for clinics
→ DHCCDHA-regulated medical/clinical activity requires Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC).
Visa cap: 0
→ Browse higher-cap zonesPlanning a team of 1+? You'll hit this zone's visa cap. Compare SRTIP, IFZA, RAKEZ, or another launch route with the right visa capacity.
Ras Al Khaimah · Offshore
Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre
RAK holding route — asset, IP, and group structures
3d est.
Licence pace
0
Visa quota
50+
Activities
5/10
Bank score
RAK ICC is a holding-company registry for asset, IP, and group structures. It does not provide UAE trade rights, office space, or residence visas, so Formenzo separates it clearly from operating free-zone routes before payment.
Starting from
AED 8,000
Formenzo all-in estimate
Includes: Government fees, Formenzo service, flexi-desk, establishment card
Invoice transparency · RAK ICC
What lands on your invoice. Line by line.
Every fee, in the order it hits. No “admin” tax, no hidden markup — Formenzo's margin is the zone's channel-partner commission, not a line on your invoice.
0 visas · licence only
- RAK ICC licenceAED 8,000
- Gov + authority adminBundled
- Formenzo partner supportIncluded
1 visa · founder
- RAK ICC licenceAED 8,000
- Entry permit × 1AED 0
- Medical + EID × 1AED 0
- Gov + authority adminBundled
- Formenzo partner supportIncluded
2 visas · partners
- RAK ICC licenceAED 8,000
- Entry permit × 2AED 0
- Medical + EID × 2AED 0
- Gov + authority adminBundled
- Formenzo partner supportIncluded
Visa bundle uses RAK ICC-standard rates. Final visas stamped per applicant; typing-centre and translation fees are only added when they actually occur and billed at cost (usually AED 0 for English-passport applicants, AED 100–200 otherwise).
Banking reality · RAK ICC
The real bank-approval picture for a RAK ICC licence.
Channel-partner outcomes by passport bucket, over the last 90 days. “Limited” means the bank rarely approves this combo — we'll re-route you rather than waste your time.
| Bank | IN / UK / PH Low friction | PK / BD / NG Enhanced DD | RU / IR / SY Sanctions screen | US FATCA disclosure | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wio | Strong | Limited | Limited | Standard | 5–7 |
| Mashreq NeoBiz | Strong | Enhanced DD | Enhanced DD | Standard | 10–14 |
| Emirates NBD | Standard | Enhanced DD | Limited | Enhanced DD | 14–21 |
| RAKBANK | Strong | Enhanced DD | Limited | Standard | 12–18 |
Outcomes are directional channel-partner patterns, not a guarantee for any specific applicant. “Days” = typical bank review time after licence issuance and clean KYC documents.
Banking partners
Banking routes commonly reviewed for RAK ICC companies, with final decisions subject to each bank's KYC and risk review.
Banking-review estimate
30 days
after licence issuance; subject to KYC
Formenzo setup timeline
Day-by-day what we deliver end-to-end, from signed engagement to bank-file routing.
Initial approval
We file your application with the Free Zone authority.
~1 day
License issued
Trade license + Establishment Card in hand. You can sign contracts.
~2 days
Investor visa
Entry permit → medical → Emirates ID → stamping.
~-3 days
Bank file routed
Clean KYC pack prepared and routed; final onboarding remains subject to bank review.
~30 days
Full cost breakdown
Every fee, transparent. Real 2026 dirham pricing, no surprise invoices.
| Government license fee | AED 3,000 |
| Filing support and authority handling | AED 5,000 |
| Per-visa cost (optional) | FREE |
| Emirates ID (per person) | FREE |
| Medical fitness (per person) | FREE |
| Minimum setup (no visa) | AED 8,000 |
| With 1 investor visa (most founders) | AED 8,000 |
Why founders pick RAK ICC
- ✓No physical UAE office required
- ✓Incorporation from AED 8,000 all-in (Year 1)
- ✓Foundation structure with 2025 firewall provisions
- ✓Can hold Dubai real estate
- ✓Remote incorporation — no UAE visit needed
- ✓Common-law style registry framework for holding and asset structures
Best for these activities
premium · family office
Not allowed
RAK ICC — frequently asked questions
Quotable, answer-first, optimized for AI search (Perplexity, ChatGPT, Google AI Mode).
How much does a RAK ICC license cost in 2026?
+
A Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) starts from AED 8,000 in 2026. Government fees, Formenzo service, flexi-desk, establishment card. Add one investor visa and the customer-facing 1-visa route is AED 8,000 before any case-specific authority extras.
How long does RAK ICC company setup take?
+
RAK ICC publishes a typical licence-issuance estimate of 3 business days after initial approval (1 day). A residency visa adds an additional immigration stage. Banking preparation and review add another case-specific stage. Timelines vary by authority, immigration, document readiness, and bank risk review.
How many visas can I get with RAK ICC?
+
RAK ICC default package includes 0 visas, and the maximum allowed per license is 0. A 1-visa customer route is approximately AED 8,000 based on the current pricing schedule.
Which UAE banks open accounts for RAK ICC companies?
+
RAK ICC companies primarily bank with WIO, Mashreq NeoBiz, RAKBANK, and Emirates NBD. Formenzo prepares the KYC pack, identifies missing items, and routes the application to a suitable bank. Bank outcomes vary by nationality, activity, source of funds, and full risk review.
What business activities does RAK ICC allow?
+
RAK ICC permits approximately 50 business activities. It is best suited for premium, family office. Activities not allowed include restaurant, retail physical, construction — these require a UAE Mainland license.
Can I form a RAK ICC company without visiting the UAE?
+
Yes — RAK ICC formation is fully remote through Formenzo. We handle document collection, trade name reservation, MOA drafting, and submission without a UAE visit. You only come to the UAE for one day to complete the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics — and only if you want a residency visa. The trade license itself can be issued with zero travel.
Is RAK ICC eligible for 0% UAE Corporate Tax?
+
Yes. RAK ICC is a recognized UAE Free Zone, so companies qualifying as a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) can maintain a 0% Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income. Non-qualifying income is taxed at the standard 9% above AED 375,000. RAK ICC companies must register with the Federal Tax Authority within 3 months of incorporation — Formenzo handles this filing.
Why choose RAK ICC over other UAE Free Zones?
+
RAK holding route — asset, IP, and group structures. No physical UAE office required. Incorporation from AED 8,000 all-in (Year 1). Banking readiness score: 5/10. Published licence pace: 3 days, subject to document and authority review. Starting cost: AED 8,000. Run Formenzo's 60-second match to compare RAK ICC against indexed UAE formation options based on your nationality, budget, and business activity.
Other Ras Al Khaimah Free Zones
Compare RAK ICC with other options in the same emirate.
RAKEZ
Fast licence review path. Saqr Port industrial hub with clear document and banking notes.
SHAMS
LLC without the 'FZ' — 4-hour formation for media & creative entrepreneurs
SPC
AED 5,750 flat licence. 70% Sharjah utility subsidy. Pay-As-You-Go activity combination.
AFZ
AED 4,888 NuVenture · AED 10,800 with visa · installment payments (unique)
Ready to form your RAK ICC company?
Run the 60-second match. We'll prepare your docs, file with RAK ICC, and track the case-specific licence timeline.