RAKEZ vs Ajman FZ
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) (Ras Al Khaimah) or Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) (Ajman)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose RAKEZ for…
- More activities on one licence (up to 6)
- A smoother banking track record
- Popular with budget startups
- Popular with manufacturers and industrial companies
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is the government authority that licenses free zone and non-free zone companies across several business and industrial areas in Ras Al Khaimah. It suits cost-conscious founders, small traders and consultants, and also manufacturers who need land or warehouses. A no-visa licence starts from around AED 6,000 a year, and a one-visa setup typically lands around AED 12,000 to 15,000 in fees before medical and ID costs. A licence is usually issued within a few working days once documents are complete.
Choose Ajman FZ for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 412 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Faster setup (around 3 vs 5 working days)
- Popular with budget traders
- Popular with e-commerce sellers
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ), founded in 1988 beside Ajman Port, is one of the UAE's longest-running free zones and a popular low-cost choice. It suits budget traders, e-commerce sellers, service companies and small manufacturers who want offices, warehouses or factory units for less than Dubai. Licence-only packages are commonly quoted from about AED 5,500, while a first year with one visa usually lands around AED 20,000 to 26,000. Simple licences can be ready within a few working days.
RAKEZ vs Ajman FZ side by side
| RAKEZ | Ajman FZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ras Al Khaimah | Ajman |
| Packages from | AED 6,180 | AED 5,768 |
| Renewal from | AED 6,180 | AED 5,768 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~5 working days | ~3 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 6 | Up to 5 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office, Warehouse | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office, Warehouse |
| Activity areas | Trading, Industrial, Consultancy, E-commerce, Freelance, Media | Trading, E-commerce, Consultancy, Industrial, Freelance, Logistics |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | No |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2017 | 1988 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
RAKEZ in brief
Ras Al Khaimah set up RAKEZ in 2017 to bring two older bodies under one roof: the RAK Free Trade Zone, which had been licensing small companies since around 2000, and the RAK Investment Authority, which handled industrial land. The result is one regulator that can give a solo consultant a desk and a steel fabricator a 20,000 square metre plot, using the same application system.
Strengths
- One authority covers everything from a solo freelancer desk to industrial land with staff housing
- Entry and one-visa packages are among the lower-cost options in the UAE
- A non-free zone entity is available for selling inside Ras Al Khaimah
- Ready warehouses, open yards and self-storage at Al Hamra Industrial Zone
Watch out for
- Your licence address is in Ras Al Khaimah, a long commute if your team and clients are in Dubai
- Desk packages carry very few visas, so growth often means paying for a bigger facility
- No grace period on renewal and daily late penalties from the expiry date
Ajman FZ in brief
Ajman Free Zone is often described only as cheap, which undersells it. Opened in 1988, it is among the oldest free zones in the country and sits on the waterfront next to Ajman Port, with a long history of trading houses, small factories and storage businesses. Its campus mixes office towers, warehouse rows and light-industrial units.
Strengths
- Long track record since 1988 and a large trading community.
- Low licence-only entry prices and often modest renewals.
- Warehouses and light-industrial units in the same zone as offices.
- Close to Ajman Port and major highways.
Watch out for
- No full public price list, so quotes vary widely.
- Ajman address may matter to some clients.
- Banks may ask more questions of small trading companies.
RAKEZ vs Ajman FZ: common questions
Which is cheaper, RAKEZ or Ajman FZ?
On our current packages, Ajman FZ starts lower at around AED 5,768, against AED 6,180 for RAKEZ. Compare renewal too: RAKEZ renews from about AED 6,180 and Ajman FZ from about AED 5,768. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, RAKEZ or Ajman FZ?
RAKEZ allows up to 6 visas, depending on the office you lease. Both zones allow a similar maximum, so the office type decides your real quota.
Which is faster to set up, RAKEZ or Ajman FZ?
Ajman FZ is typically quicker at around 3 working days for the licence once documents are complete. Visas take one to three more weeks in either zone.
Is a RAKEZ licence valid for business in Ajman?
A free zone licence lets you operate inside the free zone and trade internationally. To sell directly to customers on the UAE mainland you usually need a distributor, a mainland branch or the right activity approvals, whichever zone you choose.
Can I move my company from RAKEZ to Ajman FZ later?
Moving between free zones is possible but it is not a simple transfer. You normally register the new company or a branch in the other zone and then close or keep the old one, which means extra fees and visa paperwork. It is cheaper to pick the right zone at the start.
RAKEZ or Ajman FZ? Ask an advisor
Tell us about your business. An advisor will recommend the best free zone and send you a full cost breakdown — usually within one working hour.
- Honest advice across all free zones
- Full cost breakdown — no hidden fees
- Licence, visa, bank account and tax in one place