You license the company with the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development. The steps are security clearance, trade name reservation, a site inspection with the municipality's approval of the tenancy contract, any outside approvals, approval of the company contract, then payment and issue.
You can ask for initial approval before the trade name certificate, which lets you start on outside approvals earlier. NXTSTAR sequences those steps for you.
Last reviewed: by the NXTSTAR team.
Rules are set by the authority and can change. Confirm the current position before you apply.
Who Ras Al Khaimah mainland suits
Ras Al Khaimah mainland suits manufacturers, contractors, tourism and hospitality businesses and local services that operate in the emirate itself.
The steps
- Obtain security clearance.
- Reserve the trade name.
- Have the site inspected and the tenancy contract approved by the Municipality Department.
- Obtain external approvals for the activity.
- Have the company contract, or the services agent contract, approved.
- Pay the fees and receive the licence.
The two-month hold on the trade name sets a practical deadline. If the lease or outside approvals will take longer, plan to renew the reservation.
Documents
- Copy of ID card
- Copy of the trade name reservation certificate
- Copy of the lease contract certified by the Municipality Department
- External approvals, where the activity needs them
What is particular to Ras Al Khaimah
- A reserved trade name is held for two months and can be renewed.
- The department can refuse or change a proposed trade name.
- Initial approval can be granted before the trade name certificate, so you can approach other authorities sooner.
- The department also issues a Virtual Trader licence and an Al-Ghad licence alongside standard company licences.
After the licence
- Establishment card and labour file, before any visa.
- Residence visas for owners and staff.
- A corporate bank account, which the bank decides.
- Corporate tax registration, and VAT registration where it applies.
What NXTSTAR does, and what we do not
- We confirm the activity, legal form and ownership structure with you.
- We handle the trade name, approvals, lease registration and licence application.
- We continue with visas and the bank account file.
- We do not decide approvals. The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development and the other regulators do.
Common questions
Who issues a mainland licence in Ras Al Khaimah?
The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development.
How long is a trade name reserved?
Two months, renewable on payment of the fee.
Is RAK mainland the same as RAKEZ?
No. RAKEZ is the economic zone authority. A mainland licence is issued by the Department of Economic Development.
How much does a mainland licence in Ras Al Khaimah cost?
We do not publish prices. Ask us for a written quote that separates government fees from our service fee.
Sources
The rules on this page come from the authority's own published material, checked on 7 October 2026.
Talk to NXTSTAR about a company in Ras Al Khaimah
Tell us what you want to do and we will tell you which route fits, what it involves and what we would need from you.