Compare Dubai Silicon Oasis and RAKEZ Free Zone for Manufacturing & Industrial setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Dubai Silicon Oasis vs RAKEZ Free Zone for Manufacturing & Industrial: Dubai Silicon Oasis starts at AED 18,500 (90% bank approval) and RAKEZ Free Zone at AED 6,000 (90%). On Year-1 cost, RAKEZ Free Zone is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 18,500 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Tech-focused free zone with R&D incentives, smart city infrastructure | |
| AED 6,000 | 3-4 days | Moderate | Light industrial, trading operations, cost scaling |
Tech-focused free zone with R&D incentives, smart city infrastructure
Manufacturing licences in UAE free zones grant access to industrial plots, pre-built warehouses, and labour accommodation. Environmental approvals from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment or the free zone authority are required before commencing production. Industrial licences typically require a higher minimum capital investment than commercial licences.
Manufacturing of goods within a free zone qualifies as a qualifying activity with a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. Goods sold domestically attract 5% VAT, while re-exports from designated zones may be zero-rated.
Manufacturing companies benefit from working capital facilities, machinery financing, and letters of credit for raw material imports. Banks will request detailed production capacity data, supply contracts, and off-take agreements. Environmental compliance documentation is increasingly important for account opening.
Jan 2026: Dubai leadership launched AED 12.8bn expansion (District IO and Block 14)
Feb 2024: Dubai Metro Blue Line expansion to connect directly to DSO
Oct 2023: DSO recognized in global free zone awards for SMEs and R&D
Dec 2022: MBRIF partnership with Dtec included discounted lease rates and first-year fee waivers
Company setup in Dubai Silicon Oasis starts from AED 18,500 per year.
Dubai Silicon Oasis processes company registrations in 2-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 90%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Dubai Silicon Oasis allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Dubai Silicon Oasis does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Both zones are evenly matched. Choose Dubai Silicon Oasis if: Tech-focused free zone with R&D incentives, smart city infrastructure. Choose RAKEZ Free Zone if: Cost-effective setup with industrial and trading options in RAK.
Used the calculator to compare Meydan with five other zones — the Year 1 cost breakdown and banking scores made the choice clear in under 5 minutes.
Needed to see exactly what I was paying for at RAKEZ versus other zones. The itemized fee breakdown — license, visa, sponsorship — made the comparison transparent.
Wanted clarity on banking approval rates and substance rules by zone. The zone-specific banking data was something I couldn't find on any agent's website.
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