Free Zone Comparison
RAKEZ vs UAQ FTZ
Both target budget founders in the Northern Emirates — and both cost under AED 6,500. RAKEZ at AED 6,000 comes with 3,000+ activities, dual licensing for mainland RAK operations, and 6 formal banking partners. UAQ FTZ at AED 5,500 saves you AED 500 and skips the mandatory annual audit entirely. That said, RAKEZ processes visas in 5 business days — half of UAQ's 10 — and when you're waiting for residency, those extra days matter.
RAKEZ
RAK
AED 6,000
Year 1 from
UAQ FTZ
UAQ
AED 5,500
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
Pick UAQ FTZ for no-audit simplicity. Pick RAKEZ for scale and banking.
- ● Choose UAQ FTZ if cost is your priority — AED 500 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose RAKEZ for faster setup — 5 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Banking tilts decisively toward RAKEZ. Six formal partnerships — ADIB, RAKBANK, NBF, Mashreq, Wio, and Emirates NBD — give you fallback options when your first application stalls. UAQ FTZ partners with NBQ, Emirates Development Bank, and Wio — just 3. Both zones rate 'Moderate' for banking difficulty, but RAKEZ's broader network means more banks are familiar with your licence type. For trading businesses that need trade finance, RAKEZ's roster handles the complexity better.
The hidden differentiator is audit compliance. RAKEZ mandates audited financials within 6 months of year-end, with an AED 2,500 late fine. UAQ FTZ does not require audits for many licence types — a genuine ongoing saving of AED 3,000-10,000 per year for small firms. RAKEZ processes employment visas in 5 business days; UAQ takes 10. Licence setup is fast at both — RAKEZ offers 24-hour Biz Starter setup, while UAQ FTZ issues licences in 2-5 working days. For a solo consultant watching every dirham, the audit savings at UAQ may outweigh everything RAKEZ offers. For a trading company that needs banking partners and fast visas, RAKEZ earns the extra AED 500.
RAKEZ vs UAQ FTZ at a Glance
| Metric | RAKEZ | UAQ FTZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | RAK | UAQ |
| Year 1 From | AED 6,000 | AED 5,500 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 6,000 | AED 5,500 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 4.4/5 | ★ 4.4/5 |
| Max Visas | 4 | 4 |
| Processing Time | 5 days 🏆 | 10 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2017 | 1987 |
| Companies | 40,000+ | 10,000+ |
Year 1 From
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500
Renewal From
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
UAQ FTZ
AED 5,500
Rating
RAKEZ
4.4/5
UAQ FTZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
RAKEZ
4
UAQ FTZ
4
Processing
RAKEZ
5 days
UAQ FTZ
10 days
Banking
RAKEZ
Moderate
UAQ FTZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
RAKEZ Packages
RAK · 4 packages
Biz Starter Package (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 6,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 6,000/yr
SME Business Set-Up (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 14,320
Year 1
Renewal: AED 14,320/yr
SME Business Set-Up (2 Visas)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 18,640
Year 1
Renewal: AED 18,640/yr
SME Business Set-Up (4 Visas)
Up to 4 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 27,280
Year 1
Renewal: AED 27,280/yr
UAQ FTZ Packages
UAQ · 4 packages
UAQFTZ LYTE (Zero-Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,500/yr
UAQ START All-Inclusive (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,500/yr
Startup 2-Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 22,724
Year 1
Renewal: AED 13,500/yr
Premium 4-Visa Package
Up to 4 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 48,798
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,500/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | RAKEZ | UAQ FTZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Not Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose RAKEZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consultancies
Choose UAQ FTZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want trading & import/export
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 500 less)
Pros & Cons
RAKEZ
Pros
- ✓ Lowest entry point in the UAE — Biz Starter promotion at AED 6,000 with 24-hour setup
- ✓ All-inclusive SME bundle at AED 14,000 includes trade license + 1 UAE residence visa, with same renewal price guaranteed
- ✓ Predictable visa add-ons: up to 3 additional visas at AED 4,000 each
- ✓ Massive activity catalog: 3,000+ activities across 50+ sectors
Cons
- ✗ Mandatory annual audit for all companies — ongoing cost even for small firms
- ✗ Minimum share capital of AED 10,000 for FZ-LLC; higher for regulated activities
- ✗ AED 6,000 Biz Starter may be restricted to UAE-based entrepreneurs
- ✗ Bank accounts still subject to standard due diligence despite partner facilitation
UAQ FTZ
Pros
- ✓ One of the cheapest UAE free zones with zero-visa packages from AED 5,500
- ✓ All-inclusive 1-visa package (UAQ START) at AED 12,500 includes license, visa, medical, Emirates ID, and co-working
- ✓ Official banking partners including NBQ, Emirates Development Bank, and Wio Bank
- ✓ Logistics-friendly location on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) near UAQ Port
Cons
- ✗ Pricing is promo-led and can vary by campaign eligibility and timing
- ✗ Visa quotas beyond 4 are not clearly published; higher quotas require office/warehouse leasing
- ✗ Industrial licenses require a physical office/warehouse, changing the cost structure
- ✗ Free zone license does not allow direct mainland UAE retail/trading without additional structure
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UAQ FTZ require an annual audit while RAKEZ does?
Yes — that's the key difference. RAKEZ mandates audited financials for all companies, with an AED 2,500 late fine. UAQ FTZ does not require audits for many licence types. For a small firm, skipping the audit saves AED 3,000-10,000 annually.
Which zone processes visas faster — RAKEZ or UAQ FTZ?
RAKEZ processes employment visas in 5 business days. UAQ FTZ takes 10. For dependent visas, RAKEZ takes 9 business days. Both max out at 4 visas under standard packages.
How do banking partners compare between RAKEZ and UAQ FTZ?
RAKEZ has 6 partners: ADIB, RAKBANK, NBF, Mashreq, Wio, and Emirates NBD. UAQ FTZ has 3: NBQ, Emirates Development Bank, and Wio. RAKEZ's broader network gives trading businesses more options for corporate account opening.
Can I do mainland trading with RAKEZ or UAQ FTZ?
RAKEZ offers a Dual License for simultaneous free zone and mainland RAK operations — a genuine advantage for local trading. UAQ FTZ's dual licence is available but does not include direct mainland trading rights. For selling within the UAE, RAKEZ has the stronger path.
Which is cheaper, RAKEZ or UAQ FTZ?
UAQ FTZ is cheaper by AED 500 in Year 1. UAQ FTZ starts from AED 5,500 while RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between RAKEZ and UAQ FTZ?
RAKEZ is based in RAK and is best for Startups, SMEs, Manufacturing. UAQ FTZ is based in UAQ and is best for Startups, Freelancers, E-commerce. RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000 while UAQ FTZ starts from AED 5,500.
Which has easier banking, RAKEZ or UAQ FTZ?
Both RAKEZ and UAQ FTZ are rated "Moderate" for banking difficulty, meaning there is no significant difference in how easily you can open a corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with RAKEZ vs UAQ FTZ?
RAKEZ supports up to 4 visas, while UAQ FTZ supports up to 4 visas. Both offer the same maximum visa quota.
Is RAKEZ or UAQ FTZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose RAKEZ if you want startups focus and a RAK address. Choose UAQ FTZ if you need startups support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.