RAKEZ Industrial & Manufacturing Setup Guide
A current guide to setting up manufacturing, industrial, trading and logistics businesses in Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, including warehouse and land options, visa costs, labour accommodation and the UAE tax framework.
2026 update: RAKEZ's business community now exceeds 40,000 companies. Current RAKEZ pages also show warehouses from 150 m² and development land from 2,500 m².
RAKEZ Industrial Setup & Facility Planner
This tool separates current verified package and visa references from facility costs that RAKEZ quotes according to the selected premises and project.
Facility-specific setup
For industrial companies with warehouses or development land, RAKEZ requires a customised package based on the licence, facility and visa requirements.
Current RAKEZ business setup pricing
| Current pricing route | Published amount | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| SME all-inclusive promotion | AED 14,000 | Current promotion includes trade licence and one UAE residence visa, with package-specific benefits. |
| RAKEZ general setup page reference | AED 16,500/year | Current RAKEZ page describes an all-inclusive business setup package; verify the current offer before payment. |
| Instant licence | AED 6,000 Basic / AED 12,000 Lite | Promotion is for instant licence issuance and should not be mistaken for a warehouse/factory project cost. |
RAKEZ itself states that setup costs vary with licence type, jurisdiction and facilities required. Industrial warehouse and land projects therefore require a customised quotation.
Industrial facilities
Pre-built warehouses
Current RAKEZ warehouses start from 150 m²and support light manufacturing, storage and general assembly.
Development land
Current RAKEZ industrial development plots start from 2,500 m² and can be developed according to approved project requirements.
Labour accommodation
RAKEZ industrial areas provide options to lease or build on-site staff and labour accommodation where approved.
Industrial zones and locations
| Location | Industrial profile | Current facility highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Al Hamra Industrial Zone | Light and heavy industry | Land from 5,000 m², warehouses from 150 m², accommodation and utility connections. |
| Al Ghail Industrial Zone | Industrial and manufacturing operations | Large-scale industrial facilities and infrastructure. |
| Technology / business zones | Services, technology and commercial activities | Office-based solutions and digital business setup. |
Industrial manufacturing licence
RAKEZ states that businesses involved in production or manufacturing require an industrial licence. Current RAKEZ guidance identifies key documents such as a business plan, detailed application, plant layout, process flow chart, machinery/equipment list and passport/visa documentation.
RAKEZ's current manufacturing guidance also states that applicants do not need to show proof of funds or deposit capital simply to get started in the licensing process, although specific industrial projects and external authorities can impose additional capital, environmental, product or technical requirements.
Free Zone vs Non-Free Zone RAKEZ
Free Zone
- 100% foreign ownership allowed.
- No customs duties within the free zone.
- 0% taxation on qualifying income if the regulatory requirements are met.
- Global-market and re-export focused structure.
Non-Free Zone
- Designed for local UAE and GCC market strategies.
- 100% foreign ownership is available for specific businesses subject to the rules.
- Subject to the federal UAE Corporate Tax framework.
- Standard customs treatment applies outside the free zone as applicable.
Worker visas and accommodation
RAKEZ industrial facilities support visa applications for investors and employees. The exact quota is linked to the licence/facility and must be approved by the relevant authorities.
| Service | Current RAKEZ position |
|---|---|
| Standard employee visa service | AED 3,800 including the end-to-end visa/Emirates ID service shown by RAKEZ. |
| Inside-UAE application | RAKEZ lists an additional AED 985 visa-activation charge in the current service card. |
| Warehouse workers | Residence-visa eligibility is available subject to the licence and facility requirements. |
| Labour accommodation | Available through RAKEZ's industrial accommodation options, subject to approval and applicable rules. |
UAE Corporate Tax and customs
RAKEZ's current investment material states that there are no customs duties within the Free Zone and that tax is 0% on qualifying income when the regulatory requirements are met.
Under the federal Corporate Tax framework, however, a Qualifying Free Zone Person receives 0% on Qualifying Income, while taxable income outside the qualifying regime can be subject to 9%. The company's activities, income streams and compliance requirements therefore matter.
2026 RAKEZ business community
More than 40,000 companies
RAKEZ announced in January 2026 that its business community had grown beyond 40,000 companies after nearly 19,000 new companies joined during 2025.
The original “over 18,000 active businesses” statement was therefore outdated and has been removed from the current page.
RAKEZ setup workflow
Choose licence
Select Commercial, Industrial, E-Commerce, Services, General Trading or another permitted licence.
Select jurisdiction
Determine whether a Free Zone or Non-Free Zone structure best matches the target market.
Choose facility
Select flexi facilities, warehouse, office or development land according to the business model.
Complete registration
Submit documents, pay the applicable invoice, receive the licence and proceed with immigration/facility formalities.
Related UAE Tools & Guides
2026 VerifiedFrequently Asked Questions
International Money Transfer & FX Rates
Sending funds for tuition, rent, or immigration fees? Retail banks sneak 2.5%–4% into exchange rates. Check today's real mid-market rate first.
RAKEZ industrial snapshot
Current all-inclusive offer
Current RAKEZ SME promotion includes a trade licence and UAE residence visa.
Additional visas can be added under the promotion at AED 4,000 each, subject to the package terms.
This guide uses current RAKEZ setup, facility, visa, industrial benefits and 2026 growth information together with the UAE federal Corporate Tax framework. Warehouse and land lease prices remain facility-specific and should be obtained from RAKEZ for the selected project.