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RAKEZ company setup in 2025

3 hours ago
3 mins
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You’ve got three jobs here: pick the right package, get the license issued, and switch on compliance so nothing bites you later. Here’s the exact playbook, end-to-end, updated for 2025.
RAKEZ company setup in 2025 — step-by-step (with real costs, filings, and gotchas)
RAKEZ company setup in 2025 — step-by-step (with real costs, filings, and gotchas)

RAKEZ company setup in 2025 — step-by-step (with real costs, filings, and gotchas)

You’ve got three jobs here: pick the right package, get the license issued, and switch on compliance so nothing bites you later. Here’s the exact playbook, end-to-end, updated for 2025.

0) Choose your lane (activity • entity • facility)

  • Activity (consultancy, trading, e-commerce, media, education, manufacturing, etc.). RAKEZ has curated packages and activity menus you can mix-and-match. 

  • Entity type: typically FZ-LLC (single or multi-shareholder) or Branch.

  • Facility: coworking/flexi desk, office, warehouse, land—your visa quota and costs depend on this choice. 

Tip: pick the minimum viable facility that satisfies your activity today. You can scale up the lease as you hire.

1) Cost planning (what you’ll actually pay)

Starter license (no visa):

  • Biz Starter package: AED 6,000 (RAKEZ advertises “set up in 24 hours”). Good for lean consultancy/e-com/media plays.

License + 1 visa baked in:

  • From ~AED 16,550/year including one UAE residence visa (RAKEZ “designated zone” article’s example). Use this as a planning anchor if you need a personal visa from day one. 

Add-ons you’ll likely encounter:

  • Premium upgrade services: bundled VIP visa/banking/CT support AED 2,500.

  • Investor/Partner visa service fee (RAKEZ): ~AED 4,520 (entry permit → medical/EID/residency extra as per options/urgency). 

Reality check: third-party blogs tout “from AED 5,499–6,280,” but your baseline for 2025 planning should be AED 6,000 license-only and ~AED 16.5k if a visa is included, then layer visas/medical/EID as needed.

2) Name, approvals, and docs

  1. Trade name + initial approval (RAKEZ “Getting Started” flow). 

  2. Document set: shareholder passports, photos, filled application, UBO details, board resolution (if a corporate shareholder).

  3. Select facility & package, then RAKEZ issues invoice → you pay online/transfer/cash/cheque.

3) License issuance

  • RAKEZ issues your free-zone license once the application, KYC and payments clear. You’ll also sign the facility/lease agreement in the same round.

4) Immigration setup + visas (if you need residency)

  • Create/activate your immigration/establishment profile, then process Investor/Partner and Employee visas via RAKEZ e-Services (Portal 360/ePortal). Typical flow: entry permit → status change → medical → biometrics (EID) → visa stamping. 

  • RAKEZ’s SME visa guide quotes AED 4,520 for the investor/partner visa service and a ~8 business-day timeline for the standard sequence (subject to immigration approval). 

  • Establishment Card (ICP) underpins your ability to issue visas; it’s renewed periodically via ICP. 

  • RAKEZ runs a Medical Fitness Centre to streamline the medical/EID steps. 

5) Bank account opening

  • Prepare license, lease, Articles/MOA, UBO declaration, incorporation docs, visa/EID for signatories, 6-month bank statements (for individuals). Banks will screen business activity, source of funds, shareholder profile. RAKEZ can connect you to partner banks. 

6) Switch on statutory compliance (2025 rules baked in)

a) VAT (Value Added Tax)

  • Register if taxable supplies/imports ≥ AED 375,000 (voluntary: AED 187,500). Registration and filing via FTA EmaraTax. 

b) Corporate Tax (CT) & Free-Zone regime

  • All Free Zone Persons must register for CT with the FTA. The 0% CT rate applies only if you qualify as a QFZP and earn Qualifying Income; otherwise 9% applies above AED 375k. Start from the official FTA Free Zone Persons Guide. 

  • 2025 update: Ministerial Decision 229 of 2025 refines Qualifying/Excluded Activities, imposes audited-FS conditions, and replaces MD 265/2023. Check MoF’s legislation page + the Decision text.

c) UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) register

  • Keep a Real Beneficiary Register and comply with Cabinet Decision 109/2023—fines apply for non-compliance.

d) Annual audit (RAKEZ-specific)

  • All RAKEZ companies must prepare & submit audited financial statements within 6 months of FY-end; AED 2,500 late-filing fine per RAKEZ FAQs/violation code. Build this into your renewal calendar.

e) AML (if you’re a DNFBP)

  • Real-estate brokers, dealers in precious metals, auditors/accountants, law/corporate-service firms must register on goAML and implement AML controls (CDD/KYC, STR/SAR). Guidance via MoE and UAE FIU.

f) HSE / operational clearances (premises-based activities)

  • Warehouses/land/retail must secure HSE approvals/certificates before operations. Factor this into your go-live. 

7) The RAKEZ click-path (practical sequence)

  1. Consult & customise: activity • entity • facility • package. 

  2. Name reservation + initial approval.

  3. Application & KYC → invoice → payment (online/transfer/cash/cheque).

  4. Lease sign-off (coworking/office/warehouse). 

  5. License issued (you’re legally formed). 

  6. Immigration/Establishment profile → Investor/Employee visas (use RAKEZ e-Services; medical/EID/visa stamping). 

  7. Open bank account (RAKEZ can help with intros). 

  8. Register for VAT (if required) + Corporate Tax (then test QFZP status under MD 229/2025).

  9. File UBO register; set audit engagement to deliver FS within 6 months. 

  10. If DNFBP: goAML registration & AML program. 

  11. Operational permits/HSE if warehouse/retail/industrial. 

8) Timeline & expectations

  • License: often days once docs/payment are clean; RAKEZ markets “24 hours” for the Biz Starter. 

  • Visas: plan about a week end-to-end in straightforward cases (entry permit + medical/EID + stamping), subject to approvals. 

9) Your first-year budget (typical scenarios)

  • Lean, no-visa: AED 6,000 license + minimal facility (coworking) → add accounting/audit budget & UBO/CT/VAT registrations where relevant. 

  • Solo founder with visa: ~AED 16,550 package incl. 1 visa + medical/EID/stamping as per menu; optional AED 2,500 premium upgrade (VIP banking, CT support, etc.). 

  • Growing team: scale facility lease + visa slots; costs move with office/warehouse size and headcount (RAKEZ posts comparison guides so you can model trade-offs). 

10) Post-launch operating checklist

  • Recurring: license & lease renewal (annual), audit FS due within 6 months of FY-end, VAT returns (as allocated), CT return once in scope, UBO updates on any ownership change. 

  • People: keep Establishment Card/visas valid; calendar medical/EID renewals.

  • Policies: basic employment contracts, privacy/AML (if DNFBP), accounting controls.

11) Where to actually click/start

  • RAKEZ “Getting Started” (flows, docs, payments). 

  • Biz Starter & SME promotions (current prices, upgrade bundle). 

  • Visa e-Services (Investor/Employee/Dependent). 

  • Compliance sources: FTA VAT & CT, MoF MD 229/2025, UBO Decision 109/2023, RAKEZ Audit FAQ.

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