Opening a salon or spa in Ras Al Khaimah requires a personal-care/beauty-services activity licence through the RAK Department of Economic Development, with RAKEZ also available as a free zone alternative given its broad activity list.
Licensing and approvals
Salons and spas typically need a personal-care activity licence, and depending on specific treatments offered, additional health-authority approval may apply to treatments considered medical or semi-medical in nature.
Mainland vs RAKEZ
A salon or spa serving walk-in clients generally needs a mainland licence given its retail/service-facing nature, though RAKEZ's broad activity coverage is worth comparing if the business also wants to bundle other activities under one licence.
Costs and timeline
Costs depend heavily on premises size, fit-out standard and the specific treatments licensed. Model your licensing cost with this site's Business Setup Cost Calculator, and budget separately for fit-out and any additional health-authority approvals your specific treatments require.