RAKEZ vs IFZA
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) (Ras Al Khaimah) or International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) (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 7,107 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- 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 IFZA for…
- Faster setup (around 3 vs 5 working days)
- More activities on one licence (up to 7)
- A Dubai address on your licence
- Popular with consultants
- Popular with traders
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is a Dubai free zone based at the IFZA Business Park in Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis. It suits consultants, small traders and online businesses that want a Dubai licence at a mid-market price. A no-visa package typically starts from around AED 12,900 a year, with one- and two-visa tiers costing a few thousand more. Once your documents are ready, the licence itself is often issued within a week.
RAKEZ vs IFZA side by side
| RAKEZ | IFZA | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ras Al Khaimah | Dubai |
| Packages from | AED 6,180 | AED 13,287 |
| Renewal from | AED 6,180 | AED 13,287 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~5 working days | ~3 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 6 | Up to 7 |
| 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, Consultancy, E-commerce, Tech & IT, Media, Holding / SPV |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | No |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2017 | 2017 |
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
IFZA in brief
IFZA started in 2017 and grew quickly because it made Dubai licensing feel like buying a product off a shelf. Instead of asking you to rent an office first and then calculate visa rights, it sells packages labelled by the number of residence visas they carry. You pick a tier, choose your activities and apply online, mostly through registered agents.
Strengths
- Dubai licence without Dubai premium-zone prices
- Clear package pricing tied to the number of visas
- Trading and service activities can usually sit on one licence
- No need to rent a real office until the team grows
Watch out for
- Not the cheapest UAE option once visa costs are added
- Fees are mostly sold through agents, so quotes can differ
- Silicon Oasis is outside central Dubai and has no metro
RAKEZ vs IFZA: common questions
Which is cheaper, RAKEZ or IFZA?
On our current packages, RAKEZ starts lower at around AED 6,180, against AED 13,287 for IFZA. Compare renewal too: RAKEZ renews from about AED 6,180 and IFZA from about AED 13,287. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, RAKEZ or IFZA?
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 IFZA?
IFZA 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 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 IFZA 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 IFZA? 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