IFZA vs RAKEZ
Licence fees, visas, office rules and setup time for both zones in one table, then the cases where each one is the better choice. On the lowest listed prices RAKEZ starts about AED 6,900 lower (one figure is our estimate, as the zone publishes no tariff), but the licence fee is only the first line of the budget.
| IFZA | RAKEZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence from | ~AED 12,900 | AED 6,000 |
| Visa allocation | by package | 0; up to 4 in packages |
| Activities | 2,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Office | not required | not required |
| Setup time | 3–5 business days | 1 business day |
| Emirate | Dubai | Ras Al Khaimah |
IFZA vs RAKEZ: what the price gap buys
RAKEZ publishes an instant licence at AED 6,000; IFZA publishes no tariff and is quoted at about AED 12,900 by agents, roughly double. Both zones let you start without leasing an office and both issue quickly. IFZA’s higher price pays for a Dubai address in Dubai Silicon Oasis, which some banks and clients prefer; RAKEZ has the longer activity list. RAKEZ gives you a Ras Al Khaimah address and, if you need it, industrial land and warehousing.
The IFZA figure is an estimate, because agents bundle the same licence differently. Check any quote against our setup-cost calculator.
Where IFZA and RAKEZ differ
| IFZA | RAKEZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff | Not published; sold through partners | Published on rakez.com |
| Visas | Set by the package, from zero | None at AED 6,000; 1 in Lite (AED 12,000); up to 4 in All-Inclusive (AED 14,000) |
| Industrial land and warehouses | No | Yes, industrial parks |
The activity lists are both long (2,000+ at IFZA, 3,000+ at RAKEZ) and neither forces an office at the start. The lines that decide most cases are the emirate and whether you will ever need physical space. RAKEZ also absorbed RAK FTZ, so it runs factories and warehousing that IFZA, as a services and holding zone, does not offer.
Who each zone fits
IFZA fits consultants, agencies and holding companies that want a Dubai address and expect to deal with mainland clients and Dubai banks. It is the weaker choice if you run anything physical or are watching every dirham.
RAKEZ fits founders who want to keep the entry cost low and any business that touches warehousing, light manufacturing or trading with stock. It is the weaker choice if a Dubai address is part of your pitch or your target banks are picky: a northern-emirates licence can add a question or two at account opening, although established banks onboard RAKEZ companies routinely.
IFZA or RAKEZ: which to choose
Pick IFZA if a Dubai address earns its premium in your market: client-facing consultancies, agencies and holding structures with a small team, where smoother banking is the priority.
Pick RAKEZ if you want to keep cash in the business: about half the licence cost, published packages with up to four visas, and the only one of the two that can house a factory or warehouse.
When each one wins
IFZA: A common choice for consultants, agencies and holding companies: a long activity list, no office requirement at entry level and licences that typically issue in 3–5 business days. IFZA does not publish a tariff and sells through registered partners, so the same licence reaches you at different prices. Ask every agent to show the zone fee and their own fee as separate lines.
IFZA full card →RAKEZ: Ras Al Khaimah’s main free zone: after absorbing RAK FTZ it licenses everything from flexi‑desk consultancies to factories, across 3,000+ activities. The AED 6,000 instant licence carries no visa; packages with one visa start at AED 12,000, and the All-Inclusive package takes up to three more visas at AED 4,000 each.
RAKEZ full card →This is general information on UAE rules. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice for your situation. Rules and government fees change; we confirm the position for your facts in writing before you act.