RAK Mainland License
Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED)
RAK uses a 5-category fee structure ranging from AED 400 to AED 10,000, plus an affordable Al Ghad youth license at AED 1,000. While most published RAK business data relates to the RAKEZ free zone, the mainland DED offers competitive rates for physical establishments.
106
Activities
Varies
Avg DED Fee
3-5 working days
Setup Time
Moderate
Banking
Fee Structure
5 fee categories from AED 400 (Cat 5) to AED 10,000 (Cat 1). Al Ghad youth license AED 1,000.
From
AED 400
Up to
AED 10,000
What we like
- Competitive fee structure with 5 clear categories
- Al Ghad youth/startup license at AED 1,000
- Low office rents
- Growing tourism and industrial sector
- RAK Free Zone (RAKEZ) proximity for dual setups
Watch out for
- Limited mainland-specific data (most published data is RAKEZ free zone)
- Smaller business ecosystem
- Further from Dubai than Sharjah or Ajman
- Per-activity fee category mapping not publicly available
Top Activities in RAK
Slaughtering & Meat Preparing
Manufacturing · 1010101
category-based
Meat Products Manufacturing
Manufacturing · 1010102
category-based
Animal Offal Processing
Manufacturing · 1010104
category-based
Poultry Slaughtering & Processing
Manufacturing · 1010901
category-based
Poultry Products Manufacturing
Manufacturing · 1010902
category-based
Fish & Seafood Canning & preserving
Manufacturing · 1020001
category-based
Fish & Seafood Freezing
Manufacturing · 1020002
category-based
Fruit Canning & Packaging
Manufacturing · 1030001
category-based
Tomato Paste Manufacturing
Manufacturing · 1030003
category-based
Vegetable Peeling & Preparation
Manufacturing · 1030004
category-based
Potato Chips Manufacturing
Manufacturing · 1030006
category-based
Fish and Marine Mammal oils Extraction
Manufacturing · 1040202
category-based
Flour Products’ Prepared Mixes and Doughs Manufacturing
Manufacturing · 1061011
category-based
Fodder Manufacturing
Manufacturing · 1080001
category-based
Prepared Pets Feeds Manufacturing
Manufacturing · 1080003
category-based
Cigarettes Manufacturing
Other · 1200001
category-based
Treated Tobacco Manufacturing
Other · 1200002
category-based
Raw Wool Production
Agriculture & Fishing · 144002
category-based
Egg Production
Agriculture & Fishing · 146002
category-based
Sawmilling & Planning Of Wood
Manufacturing · 1610008
category-based
Compare with Other Emirates
Setup Requirements
Office
Physical office required. RAK has low office rents, comparable to Ajman.
Foreign Ownership
100% foreign ownership allowed for most activities.
Local Sponsor
Not required for most activities.
Visa
Visa quota based on office size.
Considering a free zone in RAK?
Compare free zone packages at our sister site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a mainland business license cost in RAK?
5 fee categories from AED 400 (Cat 5) to AED 10,000 (Cat 1). Al Ghad youth license AED 1,000.
Can foreigners own 100% of a RAK mainland company?
100% foreign ownership allowed for most activities. This applies to most business activities since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms.
How fast can I set up a mainland company in RAK?
Typical setup time in RAK is 3-5 working days. Actual timeline depends on the activity, required external approvals, and document readiness.
Do I need a local sponsor for a RAK mainland license?
Not required for most activities.
How many business activities are available for mainland licensing in RAK?
We track 106 business activities available for mainland licensing in RAK. This includes commercial, professional, and industrial license types.
Set up in RAK
Get a free quote from a vetted mainland setup partner.