RAK ICC (Offshore) at a glance
RAK ICC registers offshore (international business) companies and holding structures in Ras Al Khaimah. These entities are designed for holding assets, international trading and structuring — not for operating a physical business inside the UAE.
Who is RAK ICC suitable for?
- Holding and asset-protection structures
- International traders that do not need UAE residence
- Investors and family offices
Industries commonly considered
Holding / Investment. Confirm your exact activity is permitted before applying.
RAK ICC 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 renewal and registered-agent fees.
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 ICC
The authority (RAK International Corporate Centre) decides which activities and licence categories are currently available. The table shows the activities most associated with RAK ICC and the licence category you would typically ask about — confirm the exact activity code before applying.
| Activity | Typical licence category (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Holding company | Holding company registration |
| International trading | Trading licence |
| Investment and asset holding | Holding company registration |
| IP holding | Holding company registration |
Company structures
International business company (offshore) structures used for holding assets or trading outside the UAE. Offshore entities are not designed to operate onshore in the UAE.
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 ICC’s current checklist. Full guide: how UAE company formation works.
How to set up a company in RAK ICC
- Choose the activity and confirm eligibilityCheck your activity against RAK ICC’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 ICC: 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
Offshore entities registered at RAK ICC do not require a UAE office, but they also cannot operate onshore or sponsor UAE residence visas.
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 ICC: Offshore entities do not carry UAE residence visa quotas. 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 moderate in their familiarity with RAK ICC 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
Offshore companies are still assessed under UAE corporate-tax rules where they are taxable persons, and the treatment of an offshore entity holding assets abroad is technical. Get tax advice for your structure before incorporating. VAT registration depends on supplies and thresholds. See our corporate tax guide.
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 renewal and registered-agent fees. 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
- Offshore and holding company structures
- Low set-up and running costs relative to onshore licences
- Suited to asset holding, IP and international trading
- Fast incorporation, often without a UAE visit
- 100% foreign ownership and confidentiality-friendly structure
Limitations to weigh
- Offshore companies cannot generally operate onshore in the UAE or provide residence visas
- Banking is harder and more documentation-heavy than for onshore entities
RAK ICC vs mainland
A RAK ICC 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 ICC | RAKEZ | JAFZA | Ajman Free Zone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah | Dubai | Ajman |
| Best for | Offshore & holding companies | Multi-sector, industrial & SME | Logistics, trading & industrial | Multi-sector, trading & industrial |
| Licence cost | Quote required — offshore company packages vary by structure | From about AED 6,010 (zero-visa) · about AED 12,010 with one visa | Trading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extra | From AED 5,565 (zero-visa) · AED 13,141 with one visa |
| Setup time | A few working days | 2–5 working days | 1–3 weeks | About one week |
| Banking ease (editorial) | Moderate | Moderate | Good | Moderate |
| Fee data | Quote required | Published fees | Indicative band | Published fees |
RAKEZ · JAFZA · Ajman Free Zone · ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) · Compare any zones
RAK ICC company formation: FAQs
What is RAK ICC company formation?
RAK ICC company formation means registering a company under RAK ICC (Offshore)'s rules in Ras Al Khaimah. RAK ICC registers offshore (international business) companies and holding structures in Ras Al Khaimah. Activities, fees and eligibility are set by the authority (RAK International Corporate Centre) and vary by licence.
How much does it cost to set up a company in RAK ICC?
There is no reliable public price list for RAK ICC, 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 ICC 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 ICC's authority.
What licences are available in RAK ICC?
Licence categories offered depend on the zone's current rules. For RAK ICC the activities most associated with it include holding company, international trading, investment and asset holding; these typically map to: Holding company registration; Trading licence. Confirm the current licence list and activity codes with the authority.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through RAK ICC?
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 ICC: Offshore entities do not carry UAE residence visa quotas.
What documents are required for RAK ICC 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 ICC require an office?
Offshore entities registered at RAK ICC do not require a UAE office, but they also cannot operate onshore or sponsor UAE residence visas.. Confirm the current requirement for your licence type and number of visas.
Can a RAK ICC 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 ICC?
Offshore and holding company structures; Low set-up and running costs relative to onshore licences; Suited to asset holding, IP and international trading. Weigh these against the limitations listed on this page.
How do I start a company in RAK ICC?
Choose your activity and check it against RAK ICC'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.
Can an offshore company get a UAE residence visa?
No — offshore entities do not sponsor UAE residence visas. If you need residency or a UAE office, choose a free zone or mainland licence.
Sources and verification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official website | rakicc.com |
| Licensing / operating authority | RAK International Corporate Centre |
| 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 ICC
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.