Compare · Free zones · 2026
IFZA vs RAKEZ: Which Is Better for Your Business (2026)?
IFZA Dubai · Silicon Oasis 
RAKEZ Ras Al Khaimah - RAKEZ is the budget option: median license from AED 6,000* vs from AED 12,900* at IFZA — roughly half the price.
- IFZA gives a Dubai address and the widest catalog in the snapshot: 550 activity combinations vs 351.
- Both register remotely: RAKEZ in 5–15 days, IFZA typically in about a week.
- Bottom line: Dubai-facing services and banking convenience → IFZA; cost-sensitive setups and trading → RAKEZ.
Side by side
IFZA vs RAKEZ: parameters
| Parameter | IFZA | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Median license price | from AED 12,900* | from AED 6,000* |
| Price range in snapshot | AED 2,000 – 30,560* | AED 5,505 – 6,000* |
| Typical setup time | ≈ 1 week | 5–15 days |
| Activity combinations | 550 | 351 |
| Emirate | Dubai | Ras Al Khaimah |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% |
| Corporate tax | 9% (0% to AED 375k) | 9% (0% to AED 375k) |
| Office requirement | flexi-desk included | flexi-desk included |
| Renewals | ≈ license fee, annual | ≈ license fee, annual |
* Market reference as of September 2026, exact quote on request. Market data, Sep 2026.
Typical licenses
What a license costs for typical activities
| Parameter | IFZA | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting / services license | from AED 12,900* | from AED 6,000* |
| Trading license | activity-dependent | from AED 6,000* |
* Market reference as of September 2026, exact quote on request. Market data, Sep 2026.
Decision
Who suits which option
Choose IFZA if
- Clients and partners are in Dubai — the address matters for meetings and banks
- You need an unusual activity combination from the widest catalog
- You want the most standardized, well-documented packages
Choose RAKEZ if
- Budget is the deciding factor: median license is half the price
- You trade goods and logistics matter more than a Dubai address
- You register multiple entities and cost per license adds up
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Is an IFZA company really registered in Dubai?
Yes. IFZA operates from Dubai Silicon Oasis, so the license and address are Dubai — with Dubai prices to match.
Why is RAKEZ so much cheaper?
Northern emirate zones compete on price and run leaner operations. For trading and cost-driven businesses the trade-off rarely matters; for Dubai-facing services the address premium can pay off.
Can I get residence visas in both?
Yes, both issue investor and employee visas with package-based quotas. Visa costs are separate from the license fee in both zones.
Can I have licenses in both zones?
Yes — some businesses keep a RAKEZ entity for trading and an IFZA (or mainland) entity for client-facing work. There are no restrictions against it.
Still choosing between IFZA and RAKEZ?
A 15-minute call with your business model on the table settles it — jurisdiction, license and visa plan.