RAK Digital Assets Oasis at a glance
RAK Digital Assets Oasis is a free zone in Ras Al Khaimah aimed at Web3, digital-asset and technology companies. It targets founders in blockchain, NFTs, metaverse and related fields who want a lower-cost UAE base.
Who is RAK DAO suitable for?
- Web3 and blockchain start-ups
- NFT and metaverse businesses
- Digital-asset technology providers
Industries commonly considered
Cryptocurrency / Virtual Assets, Software, Technology. Confirm your exact activity is permitted before applying.
RAK DAO company formation cost
Quote required No reliable public price list — a written quote is needed for an exact figure.
Year-one budget: Quote required. Renewal: Annual licence renewals.
Not included: professional-service fees, extra residence visas, office upgrades, bank minimum balances and external approvals. Estimate your own visa count with the cost calculator.
Licences and company structures at RAK DAO
The authority (RAK Digital Assets Oasis) decides which activities and licence categories are currently available. The table shows the activities most associated with RAK DAO and the licence category you would typically ask about — confirm the exact activity code before applying.
| Activity | Typical licence category (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Blockchain and Web3 technology | Technology / service licence |
| Digital-asset services (subject to regulation) | Confirm the licence category with the authority |
| NFT and metaverse | Confirm the licence category with the authority |
| Technology consulting | Service / professional licence |
Company structures
Typically a free zone establishment (FZE) for one shareholder, a free zone company (FZ-LLC) for two or more shareholders, or a branch of an existing company. Names and rules differ by zone — confirm the options with the authority.
Requirements and documents
- Passport copies and passport photos for shareholders, directors and managers
- Proof of residential address and, for some applicants, a bank reference
- A completed application and a business plan or activity description where requested
- Attested incorporation documents if a shareholder is a company
- Approvals from other authorities for regulated activities (health, education, finance, food, media)
Requirements vary by activity, nationality and structure. Always use RAK DAO’s current checklist. Full guide: how UAE company formation works.
How to set up a company in RAK DAO
- Choose the activity and confirm eligibilityCheck your activity against RAK DAO’s permitted list and any external approval it needs.
- Reserve the trade nameSubmit name options; approval commonly takes a few working days.
- Submit documents and pay feesGovernment fees are paid to the authority; service fees are separate.
- Sign incorporation documentsSign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person, as the zone allows.
- Receive the licenceTiming at RAK DAO: a few working days, subject to the authority.
- Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDEach visa holder completes entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID.
- Bank account and tax registrationApply for a corporate account and register for corporate tax (and VAT if required).
Office requirements and visas
In a sector district such as RAK DAO, premises range from small desks to full offices. The type and size you choose typically sets your visa allocation — confirm what is currently offered for your activity.
Visa information
Four different things are often blurred together: the company licence, the establishment/immigration card, the investor/partner residence visa and employee residence visas. At RAK DAO: Linked to package. A visa is never guaranteed and requires the applicant to complete medical testing and biometrics in the UAE. See the visa guide.
Banking, tax and compliance
Banking
Banking is decided by each bank, not by the free zone, and approval is never guaranteed. Our editorial view is that banks are generally specialist-dependent in their familiarity with RAK DAO entities, but they assess shareholders, activity, source of funds and documents case by case. Documents commonly requested include the licence, incorporation documents, passports and proof of address, a business plan or contracts, and source-of-funds evidence. Read the corporate banking guide.
Tax
UAE corporate tax applies to free zone companies too: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, unless the entity is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, which can access 0% on qualifying income if strict conditions are met and 9% on the rest. Every free zone entity must register for corporate tax. Whether RAK DAO income qualifies depends on your activity, customers and substance. Our tax guide explains the tests.
Compliance
Ongoing duties typically include annual licence renewal, keeping accounting records, corporate tax registration and filing, VAT if registered, economic-substance or beneficial-owner filings where applicable, and any activity-specific reporting. Confirm current duties with the authority and a licensed adviser.
Licence renewal
Annual licence renewals. Renewal dates are set by your licence; late renewal can bring fines and complicate visas and banking. Check the authority’s renewal fee schedule before budgeting a second year.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Free zone built for Web3 and digital-asset companies
- Licences for technology, blockchain and metaverse activities
- Ras Al Khaimah cost base
- Community of digital-asset founders
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation
Limitations to weigh
- Regulated virtual-asset activities need additional regulator approval
- Banking for crypto-related companies is selective
RAK DAO vs mainland
A RAK DAO licence is designed for its zone and does not automatically let you sell directly to mainland UAE customers. If most of your revenue comes from UAE customers, or you want government work, compare a mainland licence; if you mainly serve international clients or operate online, a free zone can be simpler. Neither is universally better — the decision framework walks through it.
Similar free zones
| RAK DAO | DMCC | RAKEZ | ADGM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ras Al Khaimah | Dubai | Ras Al Khaimah | Abu Dhabi |
| Best for | Web3, digital assets & tech | Commodities, crypto & multi-sector | Multi-sector, industrial & SME | Financial centre & regulated business |
| Licence cost | Quote required | Official packages from AED 29,185; licence typically AED 20,000–50,000 a year (DMCC, Apr 2026) | From about AED 6,010 (zero-visa) · about AED 12,010 with one visa | Indicative AED 25,000–55,000+ for non-financial licences; regulated activities cost more |
| Setup time | A few working days | About 2 weeks, fully digital (DMCC) | 2–5 working days | 2–4 weeks (longer for regulated firms) |
| Banking ease (editorial) | Specialist | High | Moderate | High |
| Fee data | Quote required | Published fees | Published fees | Indicative band |
DMCC · RAKEZ · ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) · DIFC · Compare any zones
RAK DAO company formation: FAQs
What is RAK DAO company formation?
RAK DAO company formation means registering a company under RAK Digital Assets Oasis's rules in Ras Al Khaimah. RAK Digital Assets Oasis is a free zone in Ras Al Khaimah aimed at Web3, digital-asset and technology companies. Activities, fees and eligibility are set by the authority (RAK Digital Assets Oasis) and vary by licence.
How much does it cost to set up a company in RAK DAO?
There is no reliable public price list for RAK DAO, so we do not publish a number. Costs depend on activity, premises and visas — request a written quote from the authority or ZoneWise.
Can foreigners own 100% of a RAK DAO company?
UAE free zones generally allow up to 100% foreign ownership and repatriation of profits. Some regulated activities carry conditions, so confirm eligibility for your exact licence with RAK DAO's authority.
What licences are available in RAK DAO?
Licence categories offered depend on the zone's current rules. For RAK DAO the activities most associated with it include blockchain and web3 technology, digital-asset services (subject to regulation), nft and metaverse; these typically map to: Confirm the licence category with the authority; Service / professional licence; Technology / service licence. Confirm the current licence list and activity codes with the authority.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through RAK DAO?
A free zone can usually sponsor investor/partner and employee residence visas, subject to package or office-based quotas and the applicant's eligibility. The trade licence and the visa are separate steps, and approval is never guaranteed. Visa allocation at RAK DAO: Linked to package.
What documents are required for RAK DAO company formation?
Commonly requested: passport copies and photos for shareholders and directors, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities. Corporate shareholders provide attested incorporation documents; regulated activities need additional approvals. Confirm the current checklist with the authority.
Does RAK DAO require an office?
In a sector district such as RAK DAO, premises range from small desks to full offices. Confirm the current requirement for your licence type and number of visas.
Can a RAK DAO company do business in mainland UAE?
Not freely. Free zone companies generally cannot trade directly with mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most customers are onshore, compare a mainland licence.
What are the benefits of RAK DAO?
Free zone built for Web3 and digital-asset companies; Licences for technology, blockchain and metaverse activities; Ras Al Khaimah cost base. Weigh these against the limitations listed on this page.
How do I start a company in RAK DAO?
Choose your activity and check it against RAK DAO's permitted list; reserve a trade name; submit documents and pay the fees; sign the incorporation documents; receive the licence; then arrange the establishment card, visas, bank account and tax registration. Timelines: a few working days, subject to the authority.
Does a RAK DAO licence let me run a crypto exchange?
No — a free zone licence alone does not authorise regulated virtual-asset activities. Those need approval from the relevant regulator. Confirm your exact activity before applying.
Sources and verification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official website | rakdao.com |
| Licensing / operating authority | RAK Digital Assets Oasis |
| Fee data status | Quote required — No reliable public price list — a written quote is needed for an exact figure |
| Last reviewed | September 2026 (fees: July 2026) |
| Government sources to check | UAE Government portal · Federal Tax Authority · ICP (residency) |
Fees and eligibility change. Confirm the zone’s current licence list, activity codes and fee schedule with the authority before paying; ZoneWise is not the authority and does not guarantee outcomes.
Get a written quote for RAK DAO
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.