What is the main difference between Rak Icc and Jafza Offshore?

Rak Icc and Jafza Offshore differ primarily in industry focus, permitted activities, visa quota per package, physical location within the UAE, and annual setup/renewal costs. Review the side-by-side table above for a full breakdown by category.

Which is cheaper to set up — Rak Icc or Jafza Offshore?

Setup costs depend on license type (trading, service, industrial), the office package chosen (flexi-desk, smart desk, or dedicated office), and the number of visas required. Refer to the cost comparison table on this page for the latest fee schedules from both authorities.

Do Rak Icc and Jafza Offshore both offer 100% foreign ownership?

Yes. As UAE free zones, both Rak Icc and Jafza Offshore allow 100% foreign ownership with no mandatory UAE national shareholder or local sponsor requirement.

How many residence visas can I obtain with a Rak Icc vs Jafza Offshore license?

Visa allocations are tied to your chosen office package. Both free zones offer flexi-desk packages typically supporting 1–3 visas, and dedicated offices supporting higher quotas. Check each authority's current package details, as allocations change periodically.

Which free zone — Rak Icc or Jafza Offshore — is better for my business?

The right choice depends on your specific business activity, budget, required visa count, mainland access needs, and proximity to clients or logistics. Use the comparison table above or the free zone cost calculator on this site to match your requirements to the right authority.

RAK ICC vs JAFZA Offshore: Comparing UAE Offshore Company Options

📅 Last reviewed: August 4, 2026📋 By: UAE Freezone Compare Editorial Team✅ Fact-checked by UAE Freezone Compare Editorial Team

RAK ICC (Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre) and JAFZA Offshore (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority) are the UAE’s two primary offshore company jurisdictions. Both allow non-UAE residents to incorporate holding structures without physical presence requirements, but they differ in cost, structure, and use cases.

In this guide:

RAK ICC
JAFZA Offshore
Comparison Table
Recommendation

RAK ICC

RAK ICC is administered by RAKIA (RAK Investment Authority) and is the more popular of the two offshore options due to lower costs. RAK ICC incorporation: AED 3,000–5,500/year via a licensed registered agent. Registered agents: there are 50+ licensed RAK ICC agents globally. RAK ICC companies can: own assets globally (property, shares, IP), hold bank accounts in UAE and internationally, and be used as holding vehicles for UAE mainland or free zone companies. RAK ICC companies CANNOT: conduct business within the UAE, employ staff in the UAE, or obtain residence visas.

Common use cases: international asset holding, structuring multi-jurisdictional businesses, estate planning, and holding UAE property as a legal entity.

JAFZA Offshore

JAFZA Offshore is a Jebel Ali Free Zone offshore company — older and more established than RAK ICC. JAFZA Offshore incorporation: AED 7,000–12,000/year. JAFZA Offshore has a unique advantage: JAFZA Offshore companies CAN own property in JAFZA’s designated real estate areas. This makes JAFZA Offshore the preferred choice for real estate investors wanting to hold JAFZA-area industrial property. JAFZA Offshore also has stronger bank recognition at UAE banks than RAK ICC, which can be an advantage for opening UAE corporate bank accounts.

Comparison Table

Factor	RAK ICC	JAFZA Offshore
Annual Cost	AED 3,000–5,500	AED 7,000–12,000
UAE Property Ownership	Limited	Yes (JAFZA area property)
Bank Account Ease	Moderate	Good (JAFZA recognition)
Agents Available	50+ globally	Fewer (more controlled)
Residence Visa	No	No
UAE Business Activity	Not permitted	Not permitted

Recommendation

Choose RAK ICC for the most cost-effective UAE offshore holding structure — it is sufficient for 90% of international holding and asset protection use cases. Choose JAFZA Offshore if you specifically need to hold JAFZA-area real estate, or if your use case involves UAE banks that are more familiar with JAFZA-branded entities.