1 Visa Package
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 10,450
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
MAINLAND · RAS AL KHAIMAH
Architecture & Design on Ras Al Khaimah Mainland
Architectural design, urban planning and landscape architecture
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 3 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- MainlandLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 3 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 8,250Renewal cost
About RAK
Why Ras Al Khaimah
In practice, mainland company formation in Ras Al Khaimah is the right choice when your customers are inside the UAE, when you need a shop, clinic or contracting classification, or when visa quota matters. Since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Ras Al Khaimah mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. Put simply, architecture & Design in Ras Al Khaimah means architectural design, urban planning and landscape architecture, and it is licensed as a professional activity. GoldenKey has licensed architecture practice businesses for clients in Ras Al Khaimah and knows which sub-activities to list so you are not asked to amend the licence later.
The emirate's tourism sector is expanding rapidly around Al Marjan Island. To be clear, ras Al Khaimah mainland licences are issued by the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. Just as important, for architecture & design, Ras Al Khaimah offers the office options such a business actually needs and a visa quota that can grow with the team.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Pricing for architecture & design on Ras Al Khaimah mainland depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. All prices for architecture & design on Ras Al Khaimah mainland are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
2 Visa Package
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 14,850
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
3 Visa Package
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 18,700
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 2,750
Annual renewalAED 8,250
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-27.
Business activities
Explore business activities in RAK
RAK licenses trading, service, professional and industrial activities. Search every activity we license across the UAE and see where it is available and what it costs.
Required documents
Documents required
In practice, for architecture & design on Ras Al Khaimah mainland the licensing authority asks for the following paperwork, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- Architect's attested degree
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visaif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Our process
How Ras Al Khaimah works with GoldenKey
- 1
Activity and legal form
GoldenKey maps your business to the right Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED) activity codes and recommends the legal form that fits ownership and liability needs.
- 2
Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED) and obtains sector approvals where needed. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to architecture & design on Ras Al Khaimah mainland.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
You sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file.
- 4
Licence, Chamber and immigration
As we tell every client, the Ras Al Khaimah mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. We keep a written record of this step so your file for architecture & design on Ras Al Khaimah mainland is audit-ready.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about RAK. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsCan I convert my free zone company to a Ras Al Khaimah mainland company?
You cannot convert directly, but you can open a mainland branch of your free zone company or set up a new mainland LLC and transfer the business. GoldenKey advises on the most tax-efficient route.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Ras Al Khaimah mainland company?
Importantly, for most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Ras Al Khaimah mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
How much office space do I need for a Ras Al Khaimah mainland licence?
The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED) requires a registered tenancy for most licences. A small office or a desk in a business centre is enough for a few visas, and the visa quota increases with the floor area.
Which licence type covers architecture & design?
In short, architecture & Design is classified as a professional activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
Can I combine architecture & design with other activities?
Day to day, in most cases yes. Related activities can share one licence, while unrelated ones may need a general trading licence or a second licence.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in RAK?
Prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss architecture & design on Ras Al Khaimah mainland.
Good to know
More about RAK
Why the UAE
Put simply, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so architecture & design on Ras Al Khaimah mainland no longer requires a local partner. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for architecture & design on Ras Al Khaimah mainland and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
Importantly, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Ras Al Khaimah file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the file sit. In practice, most of our Ras Al Khaimah clients come to us through referrals from other company owners, and for that reason we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for architecture & design on Ras Al Khaimah mainland happen the same day they are ready.
