Complete Checklist for Starting a Business in Ras Al Khaimah

Among the stunning UAE destinations that have recently emerged for budding entrepreneurs, Ras Al Khaimah is one of them. This is every entrepreneur’s best option as it is very affordable in terms of setup cost, business-friendly conventions, and easy access to global markets. 

Business setup services in Ras Al Khaimah account for something really useful in terms of free zone opportunities as you go ahead with creating a business. In this guide, we are going to provide a complete checklist to ensure that setting up goes very smoothly. 

1. Define Your Business Activities 

• The first step that you must look out for is identifying the type of business that you want to establish. These will include trading, consultancy services, industrial services, and even e-commerce ones. 
• The RAK authorities maintain a list of these activities within their approved list. You must classify your chosen domain of business under the particular license category. 
• However, if you are combining multiple activities, please ensure that they are under the same license to avoid extra costs. 

2. Always Attempt to Choose the Right Jurisdiction 

• Rakez Free Zone is known to offer affordable packages with 100% foreign ownership, flexible facilities (offices, warehouse, and land) and simplified VISA services.
• Direct trade with the local UAE market for your business is permitted without the need for a distributor, and there is 100% foreign ownership for your business. 
• However, the right jurisdiction always depends on your target customers, business model, and expansion plans. 

3. Select Appropriate Business Structure 

Commonly known as: 

• Free Zone Company or FZC
• Free Zone Establishment or FZE
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Branch of a Foreign Company 

Each of these structures has particular specified capital requirements, ownership rules, and governance guidelines. 

4. Reserve Your Trade Name 

• Choose a unique business that complies with the UAE naming conventions (the conventions include offensive words, religious references, and abbreviations of your name). 
• Also, apply for a trade name reservation through RAKEZ or RAK DED. 
• After approval, the company name will be inextricably linked to your licence and legal requirements.

Consulting.AE can help with obtaining a mainland company setup, free zone company formation, trade name registration, and legal documentation. The professional help ensures that you can get your business set up and running seamlessly. 

5. Apply for Initial Approval 

• Submit your application form via the appropriate official website (rak.ae). 
• This will ensure that activity and structure both work with the chosen business.
• Documents required for business setup services in Ras Al Khaimah normally include copies of a passport, a visa, an ID, and, in some cases, a Business Plan. 

6. Acquire Office Space or Facility 

• Rakez offers good packages in the form of flexi desks, shared offices, private offices and sometimes even warehousing or industrial parcels. 
• Without the DED’s approval, you will not be able to get a physical office space for mainland business. 

That is, facility type depends on whether the business is in consultancy, trade or industry. 

The rest of the actions are: 

• Draft and sign the legal documents 
• Obtain your trade licence, which includes a commercial licence, a professional licence, and an industrial licence for manufacturing and production. 
• Apply for a visa 
• Open your corporate bank account. 
• Comply with ongoing requirements. 

Final Recommendations 

The procedure to start a business is quite simple in Ras Al Khaimah, and following an appropriate process can make the process easy. RAK offers everything an entrepreneur could wish for to initiate and expand their business, from affordable setup packages and strategic location to investor-friendly policies.