Side-by-Side Comparison
IFZA vs RAKEZ
Side-by-side comparison for 2026. Real costs, verified data, no sales pressure.
Quick verdict
RAKEZ wins on license cost. RAKEZ offers more visa allocations. RAKEZ scores higher overall — but the right choice depends on your business type and location preference.
Emirate
Dubai
Ras Al Khaimah
License cost from
AED 12,900
AED 12,500 ✓
Visa cost from
AED 3,750
AED 3,500 ✓
Total first year from
AED 16,650 ✓
AED 24,000
Annual renewal from
AED 12,900
AED 12,500 ✓
Max visas
Up to 6
Up to 10 ✓
Setup time
3–5 days
3–5 days
Office types
Virtual office, Flexi-desk, Private office
Virtual office, Flexi-desk, Executive office, Warehouse, Industrial unit, Land lease
Business activities
Consulting, IT Services, E-commerce, Marketing…
General Trading, Manufacturing, Industrial, Consulting…
Ownership
100% foreign ownership
100% foreign ownership
Corporate tax
0% on qualifying income
0% on qualifying income
Rating
4.5 / 5 ✓
4.2 / 5
Better value
Equal / neutral
Pros & Cons
IFZA
Pros
- ✓ Competitive pricing starting at AED 12,900
- ✓ Dubai address with prestige and banking advantage
- ✓ Fast 3–5 day setup, fully remote application possible
- ✓ Up to 6 visa allocations on the base package
- ✓ Flexible office packages from virtual to private
- ✓ Strong banking relationships with UAE banks
Cons
- ✗ Physical office required for visa allocation beyond base
- ✗ Not ideal for manufacturing or industrial activities
- ✗ Renewal costs add up for multi-visa setups
RAKEZ
Pros
- ✓ Very competitive pricing with flexible packages
- ✓ Excellent for manufacturing and industrial businesses
- ✓ Large warehouse and industrial units available
- ✓ Up to 10 visas on standard packages
- ✓ RAK location offers lower cost of living for employees
- ✓ One of the most cost-effective visa options in UAE
Cons
- ✗ Location outside Dubai can affect banking ease
- ✗ Less prestige than Dubai free zones for some clients
- ✗ Distance from Dubai (1 hour) can be inconvenient
- ✗ Banking setup can take longer than Dubai free zones
Not sure yet?
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