RAKEZ vs DMCC
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) (Ras Al Khaimah) or Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) (Dubai)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose RAKEZ for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 29,870 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Faster setup (around 5 vs 14 working days)
- More activities on one licence (up to 6)
- Warehouse options
- 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 DMCC for…
- A smoother banking track record
- Crypto and Web3 activities
- A Dubai address on your licence
- Popular with commodity traders
- Popular with crypto and web3 businesses
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is Dubai's flagship free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, home to nearly 26,000 member companies across commodities, trading, technology and Web3. It suits firms that need a highly recognised name for banks, suppliers and investors. Expect a first year of roughly AED 35,000 to 50,000 for a flexi-desk setup with one visa, and around two to four weeks from application to licence.
RAKEZ vs DMCC side by side
| RAKEZ | DMCC | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ras Al Khaimah | Dubai |
| Packages from | AED 6,180 | AED 36,050 |
| Renewal from | AED 6,180 | AED 33,990 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~5 working days | ~14 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 6 | Up to 3 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office, Warehouse | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office |
| Activity areas | Trading, Industrial, Consultancy, E-commerce, Freelance, Media | Trading, Commodities, Consultancy, Tech & IT, Crypto & Web3, E-commerce |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | Yes |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2017 | 2002 |
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
DMCC in brief
DMCC began in 2002 as a government push to make Dubai a trading centre for gold, diamonds and other commodities. Over two decades it built the Dubai Diamond Exchange, a gold and precious metals ecosystem, tea and coffee centres, and a clearing culture for physical trade. That history still shapes its reputation: banks and counterparties around the world know the DMCC name.
Strengths
- Globally recognised name that reassures banks and partners
- Deep ecosystem for gold, diamonds, tea, coffee and other commodities
- Large Crypto Centre and other sector hubs with regular events
- Walkable district with two metro stations and housing nearby
Watch out for
- Among the most expensive free zones for a small company
- Registration, licence and facility billed separately, so quotes need care
- Annual audit adds cost and admin work
RAKEZ vs DMCC: common questions
Which is cheaper, RAKEZ or DMCC?
On our current packages, RAKEZ starts lower at around AED 6,180, against AED 36,050 for DMCC. Compare renewal too: RAKEZ renews from about AED 6,180 and DMCC from about AED 33,990. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, RAKEZ or DMCC?
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 DMCC?
RAKEZ is typically quicker at around 5 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 Dubai?
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 DMCC 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 DMCC? 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