RAKEZ vs UAQ FTZ
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) (Ras Al Khaimah) or Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) (Umm Al Quwain)? 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 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 UAQ FTZ for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 515 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Faster setup (around 3 vs 5 working days)
- More activities on one licence (up to 7)
- Popular with lowest-cost founders
- Popular with e-commerce and trading
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) is one of the UAE's oldest free zones and today one of its lowest-priced, licensing small traders, e-commerce sellers, consultants and freelancers. A no-visa licence is published from about AED 5,500 a year and a one-visa package from about AED 12,500, with monthly instalment plans offered. Licences are often issued within a few working days, and the zone sits between Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah on the coast road.
RAKEZ vs UAQ FTZ side by side
| RAKEZ | UAQ FTZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ras Al Khaimah | Umm Al Quwain |
| Packages from | AED 6,180 | AED 5,665 |
| Renewal from | AED 6,180 | AED 5,665 |
| 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, Warehouse |
| Activity areas | Trading, Industrial, Consultancy, E-commerce, Freelance, Media | Trading, E-commerce, Consultancy, Freelance, Media, Industrial |
| 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
UAQ FTZ in brief
Umm Al Quwain is the smallest emirate by population, and its free zone grew from its port. An Emiri decree in 1987 created a free zone inside Ahmed Bin Rashid Port, and operations started the following year. A dedicated free trade zone authority was later set up under a 2014 emirate law, which is why some directories show 2014 as the founding date.
Strengths
- Some of the lowest published licence prices in the UAE
- Instalment plans reduce the cash needed at the start
- Several activities can sit on one licence
- Quick digital setup, often in a few days
Watch out for
- Lower prestige than Dubai or Abu Dhabi zones
- Low-cost licences face tougher bank checks
- Promotional prices may rise at renewal
RAKEZ vs UAQ FTZ: common questions
Which is cheaper, RAKEZ or UAQ FTZ?
On our current packages, UAQ FTZ starts lower at around AED 5,665, against AED 6,180 for RAKEZ. Compare renewal too: RAKEZ renews from about AED 6,180 and UAQ FTZ from about AED 5,665. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, RAKEZ or UAQ FTZ?
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 UAQ FTZ?
UAQ FTZ 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 Umm Al Quwain?
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 UAQ FTZ 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 UAQ FTZ? 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