RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) is the UAE’s most popular offshore jurisdiction — used by international investors and businesses for holding company and asset protection structures. Here is a complete 2025 guide.
What Is RAK ICC?
RAK ICC is an offshore company registry in Ras Al Khaimah — an offshore (not free zone) jurisdiction. RAK ICC companies: are incorporated in the UAE, can hold bank accounts internationally (not in UAE), can hold assets (real estate, IP, shares in other companies), can invoice internationally, and are NOT required to have a physical UAE office. RAK ICC companies CANNOT: employ UAE-based staff, open a UAE bank account, obtain UAE residency visas for shareholders/directors, or sell goods or services directly to UAE consumers. RAK ICC is the UAE equivalent of a BVI or Cayman Islands company — used for international holding and asset structuring, not for UAE operating business.
Why Use RAK ICC?
Common reasons for incorporating a RAK ICC company: holding UAE real estate (cleaner ownership structure, easier to sell via share transfer rather than property transfer), holding international investments and IP, structuring a group company where the holding entity should be in a reputable low-tax jurisdiction, and estate planning (cleaner inheritance of business assets via a corporate structure). The UAE’s international reputation and bilateral agreements make RAK ICC more internationally credible than most Caribbean offshore jurisdictions — at lower cost than DIFC/ADGM foundations.
RAK ICC Costs 2025
Annual registration fee: AED 3,000–8,000 (depending on number of shareholders and structure). Registered agent fee (mandatory): AED 1,500–3,000/year (a RAK ICC-registered agent handles the company secretarial and compliance functions). Total annual cost: AED 4,500–11,000. Incorporation time: 3–5 business days.
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAK ICC Offshore Company: Complete Setup Guide | Current authority package | Quote-based - confirm current package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based renewal - confirm current package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Depends on package and office allocation | Authority quote required | Authority quote required | Current package / renewal confirmation required | June 2026 |
| What is included | Confirmed only after authority or partner quote. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Visas, insurance, medical, Emirates ID, office upgrades, amendments and cancellation unless quoted. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Confirm establishment card, visas, office/flexi desk, insurance, renewal and cancellation before payment. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium - depends on activity and documents |
| Best fit | Founders comparing this free zone against activity, visa, office, banking and renewal requirements. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed June 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.