RAK ICC Company Setup UAE: Offshore Company Setup Guide 2026

RAK ICC — the Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre — is the UAE's offshore corporate registry for International Business Companies (IBCs), so if you are searching for RAK ICC company setup UAE, the short answer is this: you can form an offshore company through a registered agent in 3–7 working days, typically for AED 10,000–14,000 in the first year, with no office, no visas and no UAE trade license. Often searched as "RAKICC free zone", it is not a free zone; it is an offshore registry used to hold assets, own property and trade internationally.

For foreign investors, entrepreneurs, SMEs and businesses comparing UAE offshore options for holding structures, asset protection, international trade or succession planning, the key is understanding where RAK ICC fits and where it does not. This guide explains what RAK ICC actually is, how it differs from RAKEZ and RAK's free zones, what an IBC can and cannot do, 2026 costs, setup steps, required documents, current tax and compliance rules, and the Premium Product route for companies that later need UAE operations and visas. A&A Associate is a registered agent with RAK ICC and handles RAK offshore company formation end to end.

For comparison, free zone companies also allow 100% foreign ownership without local sponsors, but their setup process and operating scope differ from RAK ICC.

RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) vs RAKEZ vs RAK Innovation City

What Can a RAK ICC Company Do — and What Can't It?

A RAK ICC company can also be incorporated with only one shareholder.

RAK ICC Company Cost in 2026

The Premium Product: Offshore Holding + UAE Operations

RAK ICC's Premium Product pairs your offshore company with a RAKEZ subsidiary, a structure designed for international investors and international entrepreneurs who need offshore ownership plus licensed UAE operations: the holding company keeps international assets and privacy, while the RAKEZ entity gets a real UAE trade license, office options and residence visas. Groups use it to hold the operating business offshore for succession planning, wealth preservation, and to help investors establish an operating presence in the Middle East while keeping the offshore holding layer separate, as staff work onshore legally. If you were searching "RAKICC free zone" because you need visas, this is the compliant route.

How to Set Up a RAK ICC Company — 5 Steps

1. Choose the structure for the company incorporation processIBC for holding and trade, foundation for family wealth, or Premium Product if you need UAE operations, and make sure the choice matches your intended business type and ownership needs.
2. Start company registration by reserving the business nameNames end in "Limited" or "Ltd"; restricted words need approval, and the name must comply with RAK rules.
3. Prepare KYC documentsPassport copy, proof of address, bank or professional reference and CV per shareholder. The application form also captures the business name and intended business activities. The registered agent files everything — no UAE visit needed for most setups.
4. Sign incorporation documentsMOA and Articles are drafted by the agent, who then submits the relevant documents, including notarized documents where required, to the RAK ICC authority for registration. Certificate of incorporation typically issues in 3–7 working days to establish the entity.
5. Open the bank accountWe prepare the compliance file and introduce you to UAE banks that accept offshore structures. Allow 2–4 weeks for traditional banks.

Documents Required

Individuals: passport copy (6+ months validity), proof of residential address under 3 months old, a bank or professional reference letter, and a short CV or business profile. A shareholder may be a natural person or a corporate entity, depending on the structure. Corporate shareholders add their certificate of incorporation, MOA and a board resolution approving the new company. Redomiciliations add the current registry's certificate of good standing. Have all the documents prepared in advance to avoid delays. Share capital starts from AED 1,000, and the constitutional documents will reflect the company limited structure; where applicable, different share classes can carry their own set of rights.

Tax and Compliance for RAK ICC Companies

Two updates matter, and most competing pages still print the old rules. Since June 2023 the United Arab Emirates applies 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 in profits: RAK ICC companies are juridical persons that generally must register with the FTA, but they are commonly described as exempt from corporate and income tax on foreign income under certain conditions, with proper assessment and registration still required where applicable. Companies must also file tax returns within nine months of year-end. Get the one-time assessment done — we include it in setup. Economic Substance Regulations were cancelled for financial years ending after 31 December 2022 (Cabinet Decision No. 98 of 2024), so ESR notifications and reports are no longer due. You may also need to assess whether the company must pay VAT depending on its activities and tax profile. Keep proper accounting records and financial statements for at least five years; RAK ICC requires them even without filed audits.

RAK ICC FAQs