RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) is Ras Al Khaimah's offshore company registry, used for holding structures, international trading, and asset ownership rather than as a licence to operate a physical business with staff and premises in the UAE.
What RAK ICC is actually for
An RAK ICC offshore company cannot lease UAE office space, sponsor UAE residence visas, or trade directly within the UAE domestic market — it is designed for holding shares in other companies, owning property or other assets, and conducting international business outside the UAE. This distinguishes it fundamentally from RAKEZ, which is an onshore free zone issuing operating trade licences.
RAK ICC is commonly compared against JAFZA offshore and Ajman offshore as the UAE's three main offshore registries, each offering broadly similar holding-company functionality with differences mainly in cost and specific administrative requirements.
Costs and what drives them
RAK ICC is generally regarded as one of the more cost-effective UAE offshore registries, with annual renewal fees typically lower than JAFZA offshore. There is no office, visa or physical presence cost since none of these apply to an offshore structure — the main ongoing cost is the registered agent fee and annual government renewal.
Is RAK ICC the right fit?
RAK ICC suits investors and business owners who specifically need a holding structure, international trading vehicle, or asset-ownership entity — not a business that plans to operate, hire staff or hold a physical office in the UAE. If you need an actual operating UAE licence, RAKEZ or another onshore free zone is the correct comparison instead.