WhatsApp quoteCrucially, setting up a company in RAKEZ gives you 100% ownership, a UAE trade licence and the option to sponsor residence visas for yourself and your family. A RAKEZ company can be owned entirely by foreign nationals, needs no local sponsor and can start trading internationally as soon as the licence is released. RAKEZ combines competitive pricing with the flexibility to add activities and visas later, so it suits both first-time company owners and established groups.
Why RAKEZ
For most clients, home to American University of Ras Al Khaimah. Office options in RAKEZ range from flexi-desk, office suite, warehouse, industrial unit or land lease, so you only pay for the space your visa quota actually needs. One of the reasons we recommend RAKEZ is its competitive pricing, which matters more than most founders realise once the business is running.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for residence visas through RAKEZ; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
Pricing
To be clear, all prices for residence visas through RAKEZ are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. As we tell every client, pricing for residence visas through RAKEZ depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
Pricing available on request — message us for a written quotation.
Timeline
Here is a realistic timeline for residence visas through RAKEZ based on the files GoldenKey handles every week.
- Day 0Quotation approved, papers collected and checked by GoldenKey.
- Day 1–2Trade name reserved and initial approval requested for residence visas through RAKEZ.
- Day 2–7Put simply, authority review and issue of the licence; we chase any query the same day.
- Week 2–3Establishment card, visa entry permit, medical test and Emirates ID; bank introduction in parallel.
Validity and renewal
In short, residence visas issued through RAKEZ are valid for two years and renewed with a fresh medical test. GoldenKey tracks the expiry dates on your file and starts renewals early so nobody on your team is caught out.
Visas for partners and staff
Partners listed on the RAKEZ licence receive investor visas; employees receive employment visas under the same quota. Salaries for employees must be paid through the free zone's wage system where applicable, and GoldenKey sets this up with you.
Why the UAE
Banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of residence visas through RAKEZ predictable. The UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for residence visas through RAKEZ.
Why GoldenKey
If a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your RAKEZ file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the request sit. Most of our RAKEZ clients come to us through referrals from other founders, so we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. Importantly, our quotations for residence visas through RAKEZ list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
Tell us about your plans for residence visas through RAKEZ and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Can a RAKEZ company do business on the UAE mainland?
A RAKEZ company can sell to mainland customers through a mainland distributor, invoice services to mainland customers generally, and apply for a dual-licence arrangement where the emirate offers one. Direct retail or on-site contracting on the mainland needs a mainland licence.
What is the difference between an FZE and an FZCO in RAKEZ?
An FZE has one shareholder and an FZCO has two or more. Both offer limited liability and 100% foreign ownership, and the fees in RAKEZ are usually the same.
Is an audit required for a RAKEZ company?
Day to day, requirements vary by zone and by company size. GoldenKey will confirm the current RAKEZ rule when we prepare your quotation, and we provide bookkeeping if you need accounts in any case for corporate tax.
How many visas can I get with a RAKEZ licence?
Visa quota is tied to the package and office you choose. RAKEZ packages typically start from a zero-visa option and scale to five or more visas with a physical office, and additional visas can be added later for the per-visa fee shown in our pricing.
Do I need to visit the UAE to set up in RAKEZ?
Most RAKEZ licences can be issued remotely with scanned documents and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your UAE residence visa is handled.
