About these figures: Costs and timelines on this page are indicative planning figures compiled from public free zone fee information. They have not been individually verified for this page, may be out of date, and must be confirmed with the free zone before you pay. How we source prices · How we compile data.
Remote workers and digital nomads setting up a UAE company often compare IFZA and RAKEZ as cost-effective options. Here is the 2026 guide.
In this guide:
RAKEZ: The RAK Free Zone Option
- Location: Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) — 90 minutes from Dubai by car
- Cost: AED 14,000-20,000 year 1 (depending on package)
- Flexi-desk with 1 visa: AED 18,000-22,000
- Banking: Moderate; RAK Bank is the natural banking partner; some difficulty with international transfers
- Visa: RAKEZ residence visa valid UAE-wide; you live/work anywhere in UAE
- Best for: Manufacturing, trading, e-commerce, general business
IFZA: The Dubai-Branded Option
- Location: Dubai (IFZA zone in Dubai; address carries Dubai prestige)
- Cost: AED 13,900-22,900 year 1 (depending on visa package)
- Banking: Best among budget free zones (Wio, RAK Bank, ADCB, Mashreq)
- Activities: Most flexible activity list of any budget free zone
- Best for: Consultants, IT, digital services, trading
For Remote Workers Specifically
As a remote worker, your key criteria are likely:
- UAE residence visa (to stay in UAE long-term): Both IFZA and RAKEZ provide this
- Business bank account (to receive client payments): IFZA has better banking track record
- Cost: RAKEZ is slightly cheaper at the lowest tier; IFZA more competitive for the visa package
- Dubai address: IFZA gives a Dubai address; RAKEZ gives a RAK address
Recommendation for Remote Workers
IFZA edges out RAKEZ for most remote workers due to better banking access and a Dubai address. The cost difference is marginal (AED 1,000-4,000). If you are specifically manufacturing or need a RAK physical office space, RAKEZ may be better.
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