The name, however, lives on: old contracts, partner referrals and business directories still send investors looking for RAK FTZ. This article answers the question honestly — we explain what happened to the zone, how to register a company through its successor and what it costs under current RAKEZ tariffs.
Why investors choose RAKFTZ
Or rather — why investors still search for this exact name, and what they actually find:
- RAK FTZ was historically built around trading and consulting companies — that profile carries over in full to RAKEZ
- Companies holding legacy RAK FTZ licences keep operating: there was no forced re-registration
- Every office and warehouse format of the former zone became part of the RAKEZ infrastructure
- A single administration streamlined the process: one application, one portal, one set of tariffs
- The successor’s entry conditions are more accessible than before — RAKEZ packages start from AED 6,000
Steps to register a company in RAKFTZ
Today there is only one route — through RAKEZ as the successor to RAK FTZ. It looks like this:
- Approach RAKEZ — the sole licensing authority for the former RAK FTZ profile
- Choose your activity: trading, consulting and services — the zone’s historical specialisation
- Choose a legal form — FZE, FZC or a branch of an existing company
- Submit documents and obtain initial approval through the RAKEZ portal
- Pay for the package, sign the incorporation documents and receive your RAKEZ licence
- Arrange residence visas and open a corporate bank account
Basic RAKEZ packages are processed in one to four working days, while the online Instant Licence service issues a licence in minutes. Existing former RAK FTZ companies need no separate procedure — renewals follow the standard RAKEZ schedule.
Cost of setting up a company in RAKFTZ (2026)
Separate RAK FTZ tariffs have not existed since 2017 — RAKEZ prices apply. The zone publishes its starting figures officially; everything else depends on the package configuration.
| Cost item | Amount, AED | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ Biz Starter package (licence without visa) | from 6,000 | Processed in 24 hours, official offer |
| All-inclusive package with visaй | 14 000 | Licence, visa and related services |
| Instant Licence (online) | on request | Issued in under 5 minutes |
| Visa (per person) | on request | Medical test, Emirates ID, health insurance |
| Office or warehouse | on request | Former RAK FTZ formats available within RAKEZ |
| Renewal of a legacy RAK FTZ licence | on request | Under unified RAKEZ tariffs |
If you are holding a quote with “special RAK FTZ rates”, treat it as a red flag: current prices exist only at RAKEZ, and they should be checked against rakez.com.
Taxation in RAKFTZ
The tax regime is set by RAKEZ rules and federal law: 9% corporate tax on profit above AED 375,000 per year, 0% below that threshold, and 5% VAT on most transactions inside the UAE. Companies with Qualifying Free Zone Person status apply a 0% rate to qualifying income, and RAKEZ designated zone status makes meeting the criteria easier. This applies equally to “legacy” companies on RAK FTZ licences — there are no exceptions for them.
Who RAKFTZ suits
This material will be useful to three types of reader::
- Owners of active companies on a RAK FTZ licence who need renewal and support through RAKEZ
- Investors who found the zone through old referrals and now need to register through the current structure
- Trading and consulting companies suited to the zone’s historical profile at today’s RAKEZ prices
“RAK FTZ still surfaces in old contracts and other people’s referrals — we tell the client straight away that registration and renewals have long run through RAKEZ, and that saves them weeks of correspondence”, notes the lead lawyer at Dynasty Business Adviser.
Set up your company in RAKFTZ with Dynasty Business Adviser
Dynasty Business Adviser will set up a new company through RAKEZ — the successor to RAK FTZ — or take over an existing one: licence renewal, visas, bank account and all communication with the zone administration.
Get a consultation
Pricing data is accurate as of the publication date (13 July 2026) and has been verified against public sources, including rakez.com; before paying, confirm the tariffs directly with the zone administration.
