Compare RAKEZ Free Zone and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for Professional Consulting & Advisory setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
RAKEZ Free Zone vs Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for Professional Consulting & Advisory: RAKEZ Free Zone starts at AED 6,000 (90% bank approval) and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park at AED 5,510 (85%). On Year-1 cost, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 6,000 | 3-4 days | Moderate | Light industrial, trading operations, cost scaling | |
| AED 5,510 | 5-10 days | Moderate | R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships |
Cost-effective setup with industrial and trading options in RAK
Consulting is a broad professional services activity that covers advisory, strategy, and specialised consulting services. This activity code does not cover regulated professions such as legal, accounting, or financial advisory, which require separate regulatory approvals. Most free zones issue consulting licences within 1-3 business days.
Consulting firms are considered low-to-medium risk by UAE banks. Providing evidence of industry expertise through qualifications, past engagements, or published work can accelerate account opening. Banks prefer consultants with clear retainer-based or project-based revenue models.
Feb 2026: NBF partnership renewed
Jan 2026: 19,000 new companies added in 2025, 40,000+ total
Jul 2025: MoU with ADIB for bank account opening
Company setup in RAKEZ Free Zone starts from AED 6,000 per year.
RAKEZ Free Zone processes company registrations in 3-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 90%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including RAKEZ Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
RAKEZ Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
RAKEZ Free Zone wins on 3 of 4 dimensions. We recommend RAKEZ Free Zone for cost-conscious founders and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park if r&d and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships.
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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