RAK ICC (Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre) is a UAE government-regulated offshore registry that provides International Business Company (IBC) structures for non-resident founders who want to hold assets, structure investments, conduct international business, or own UAE-based assets without establishing a physical operating presence in the UAE.
For a broader explanation of the structure and its setup requirements, see our RAK ICC offshore company setup page.
A RAK ICC company can be 100% foreign-owned, while shareholder information is not publicly accessible through the registry. The structure also allows profits and capital to be repatriated freely.
The key point is that RAK ICC is designed as a non-resident corporate structure, not as an operating UAE company. Incorporating a RAK ICC company does not give its shareholders or directors the right to obtain a UAE residency visa. The company also does not need to lease a physical office, maintain an onshore workspace, or register an Ejari tenancy contract in the UAE. Its registered address is provided through an authorised registered agent.
What is a RAK ICC company used for?
RAK ICC is commonly used for structures such as:
- Holding Dubai freehold property: Holding corporate ownership of qualifying UAE real estate, supported by the registry’s framework with the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
- Holding shares in other companies: Acting as a parent or holding company for subsidiaries incorporated in UAE free zones or on the mainland.
- International trade and invoicing: Structuring cross-border business activities and invoicing international customers where the underlying business model permits it.
- Intellectual Property (IP) holding: Holding trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual property separately from operating businesses.
- Succession and wealth planning: Structuring ownership and succession of assets, including arrangements that may be coordinated with estate-planning structures in the DIFC or ADGM.
When is RAK ICC not the right structure?
RAK ICC may not be appropriate if your objective is to:
- Obtain UAE residency visas or local entry permits through the company.
- Conduct direct onshore commercial activities in the UAE mainland market.
- Hire and sponsor UAE-based employees directly.
- Operate from or lease a physical commercial office, warehouse, or other operating premises through the RAK ICC entity.
The simple distinction: RAK ICC works best when you need a corporate holding or international structure without a physical UAE operating presence.
RAK ICC Company Formation Cost in 2026 — Full Fee Breakdown
The cost of forming a RAK ICC company in 2026 depends on more than the registry’s incorporation charge. Your total setup budget can include the government incorporation fee, annual renewal, the mandatory Registered Agent, and any additional work required for structures such as Dubai property holding or corporate banking.
The RAK ICC entity information published by Al Arabiya Group currently references formation from AED 7,500. Treat this as an indicative starting point rather than a universal all-inclusive price, because the final cost depends on the structure and services required.
Because RAK ICC companies must be formed through a Licensed Registered Agent, the agent’s professional fee is a separate component of the overall budget. Agent fees vary by provider — contact Al Arabiya Group for a current quote.
| Fee Item | Amount / Cost |
|---|---|
| Government incorporation fee — Year 1 | AED 4,000 |
| Annual RAK ICC renewal fee — Year 2 onwards | AED 3,950 |
| Registered Agent service | Varies by provider contact for quote |
| DLD property-holding MoAA drafting | Contact for quote |
| Indicative formation starting point | From AED 7,500 |
What does the RAK ICC company formation fee actually cover?
The government component relates to incorporating and maintaining the International Business Company with the RAK ICC registry. It should not be confused with the Registered Agent’s professional fee or optional structuring work.
If the company is being established specifically to hold Dubai property, additional constitutional drafting may be required to satisfy the Dubai Land Department’s requirements. Likewise, founders planning to open a UAE corporate bank account may need a more detailed KYC and source-of-wealth file than is necessary for incorporation alone.
This distinction is important when comparing quotations. A lower headline figure may simply exclude services that another provider has included.
Government fees should always be checked against the current RAK ICC fee schedule before payment. Fees verified September 2026 subject to change. Contact Al Arabiya Group for a current breakdown.
Compared with a JAFZA offshore company, RAK ICC generally has a lower government-fee profile and a simpler structure for holding and international corporate purposes. JAFZA is more closely associated with businesses requiring a stronger logistics and Jebel Ali ecosystem. For the full cost, banking and structural comparison, read our RAK ICC vs JAFZA offshore comparison.
Step-by-Step RAK ICC Company Formation Process
Setting up a RAK ICC company follows a structured registration process handled through an authorised registered agent. Because RAK ICC is a regulated international corporate registry, founders must complete the required name, KYC, constitutional and post-incorporation steps befoe the company becomes fully operational.
The complete formation process consists of seven sequential steps:
1. Appoint a Licensed Registered Agent
A RAK ICC company must be incorporated through a Licensed Registered Agent rather than being filed directly by the shareholder with the registry.
The agent acts as your corporate liaison, coordinates the application, verifies documentation and submits the required filings to RAK ICC. Al Arabiya Group can handle this process as your appointed registered agent, including the mandatory registered office arrangements.
2. Select the Appropriate Entity Structure
Most international founders use a standard International Business Company (IBC) structure.
However, your intended use of the company should be established at this stage. If the primary purpose is to hold Dubai real estate, for example, the corporate structure and constitutional documents may require provisions that align with the Dubai Land Department’s requirements.
Choosing the intended structure correctly at the beginning helps avoid amendments later.
3. Reserve the Company Name
You provide your preferred company names to the registered agent, who submits the reservation through the RAK ICC registration system.
The proposed name must satisfy the registry’s naming requirements and cannot conflict with an existing registered entity. Once the name is approved, the incorporation application can proceed.
4. Submit Shareholder, Director and UBO Documents
The registered agent collects the required KYC documentation from the shareholders, directors and Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs).
This normally includes identity documents, proof of address and information relating to the ownership and intended purpose of the company. The process can generally be completed remotely, without requiring the founders to travel to the UAE.
5. Prepare and File the Memorandum and Articles of Association
The company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoAA) are prepared and submitted as part of the incorporation application.
Where the RAK ICC company will be used to hold Dubai property, the constitutional documents should be structured appropriately for the intended Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration. This is an important point to address before incorporation rather than attempting to restructure the company after acquiring the asset.
6. Government Fee Payment and Document Issuance
Once the application, KYC documents and constitutional documents have been reviewed and approved, the applicable government and registration fees are paid.
RAK ICC then issues the company’s incorporation documents, which can include the Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Association and share certificate/share register documentation.
At this point, the RAK ICC company has been formally incorporated.
7. Complete Post-Incorporation Compliance
Incorporation is not the end of the process. The company must maintain its statutory records and complete applicable post-incorporation compliance requirements.
This includes maintaining the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register and keeping the company’s corporate records and registered-agent information up to date.
If the company falls within the UAE Corporate Tax registration requirements, the appropriate Federal Tax Authority (FTA) registration and filing obligations must also be addressed.
Expected Setup Timeline
A straightforward RAK ICC incorporation can generally be completed within approximately 5–7 working days once the required KYC documents are complete and accepted.
The exact timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the ownership structure, name approval, document verification and whether the company is being established for a specialised purpose such as Dubai property ownership.
The key point: RAK ICC formation is relatively straightforward when the ownership structure, intended use and KYC documentation are prepared correctly before submission.
What You Can and Cannot Do With a RAK ICC Company
Operating a non-resident corporate structure in the UAE requires a clear understanding of its legal boundaries. A RAK ICC company is designed primarily for holding assets, owning shares, international structuring and cross-border activities, rather than operating a conventional UAE-based business.
The table below shows the main activities an international founder can and cannot use a RAK ICC structure for:
| Can Do | Cannot Do |
|---|---|
| Hold Dubai freehold property through the applicable Dubai Land Department framework. | Operate directly in the UAE mainland market as an onshore trading or service business. |
| Own shares in UAE mainland and free zone companies as a holding or parent company. | Employ UAE-based operational staff directly through the RAK ICC entity. |
| Conduct permitted international transactions and invoice overseas clients. | Obtain UAE residency visas for shareholders, directors or employees through the RAK ICC company. |
| Hold intellectual property, including trademarks, patents and other IP assets. | Operate physical retail stores, restaurants or other onshore commercial premises as a domestic operating business. |
| Use the structure for succession and asset-planning purposes, including arrangements involving DIFC or ADGM structures. | Use the RAK ICC entity as a substitute for a UAE mainland or operating free zone licence where a physical local business activity requires one. |
The practical distinction is simple: RAK ICC works best when the objective is to hold, own, structure or transact internationally without establishing a physical UAE operating presence.
If your business needs UAE employees, residency visas, physical premises or direct mainland commercial operations, an operating mainland or free zone structure should be evaluated instead.
UAE Corporate Tax: What RAK ICC Founders Need to Know
RAK ICC companies are within the scope of UAE Corporate Tax under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. Offshore or non-resident status does not mean tax-exempt.
The practical position for most RAK ICC structures is as follows. Foreign-sourced income, including dividends, capital gains and trading income earned entirely outside the UAE, generally qualifies for a 0% rate, provided the company meets the applicable qualifying conditions. UAE real estate income, such as rental income from Dubai property held through the company, is subject to the standard 9% Corporate Tax rate.
All UAE entities, including RAK ICC International Business Companies, must register with the Federal Tax Authority for a Tax Registration Number. Registration is mandatory regardless of income level or tax liability. Failure to register triggers an automatic AED 10,000 administrative penalty.
For registration deadlines and the filing calendar, see our guide to UAE corporate tax registration and filing deadlines.
Documents Required for RAK ICC Company Formation
RAK ICC vs JAFZA Offshore: Quick Comparison
RAK ICC is generally the better fit for international founders seeking a cost-efficient offshore structure for holding assets, Dubai property and international corporate interests. Its streamlined registration process makes it particularly suitable for straightforward non-resident holding structures.
JAFZA Offshore is better suited to structures with a stronger connection to Jebel Ali and the wider JAFZA business ecosystem. It may be preferable where the company’s objectives align with Jebel Ali’s established commercial and logistics environment.
For the detailed differences in costs, property ownership, banking, documentation and permitted activities, read our RAK ICC vs JAFZA offshore comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, RAK ICC entities can open an offshore corporate account with financial institutions in the UAE, including Mashreq, Wio Business, and Emirates NBD. Because offshore companies lack a domestic trade licence or local employee payroll, UAE banking compliance departments subject these applications to strict Know Your Customer (KYC) vetting standards. Submitting a professional “bank-ready file”—which contains a technical business plan, detailed target client lists, and clear Source of Wealth documentation—significantly optimizes approval timelines. Al Arabiya Group prepares and formats this operational file as a core part of its corporate onboarding service. For dedicated banking assistance, review our corporate UAE corporate bank account for offshore companies setup overview
No, a standard RAK ICC International Business Company does not grant shareholders, directors, or foreign employees the right to apply for UAE residency visas. RAK ICC operates strictly as a non-resident corporate registry, meaning it cannot issue an immigration Establishment Card. If your business operations require physical residency or investor visas, you must instead establish a corporate structure through an onshore free zone or execute a formal UAE mainland company formation process through the local Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
Yes, all companies incorporated under the RAK ICC registry are legally within the scope of UAE Corporate Tax under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. Corporate registration with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is mandatory regardless of whether your entity generates a profit or remains dormant. While foreign-sourced international trade profits may qualify for a 0% corporate tax rate if the structure complies with all federal qualifying rules, any revenue derived from domestic sources—such as renting or selling Dubai real estate—is taxed at the standard 9% rate. Failing to obtain a Tax Registration Number (TRN) within the designated timelines triggers a flat AED 10,000 administrative penalty. For corporate tax guidance, see our UAE UBO register requirements reference guide.
The RAK ICC registry completes the formal company incorporation process within 5 to 7 working days. This timeline triggers the moment your Registered Agent submits the finalized, digital KYC documentation and signed corporate forms to the central portal. The isolated trade name reservation phase takes 24 to 48 hours within that total setup duration
RAK ICC and RAKEZ are completely separate corporate bodies serving different operational functions. RAK ICC (Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre) is a non-resident offshore registry issuing international business shells that cannot lease physical offices, issue residency visas, or trade inside the UAE market. Conversely, RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is an onshore free zone authority that issues operational trade licences, provides physical office spaces, sponsors UAE residency visas, and permits companies to trade domestically within free zone guidelines.
