By Khalifa Al Sada Advocates & Legal Consultants 4 min read
Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) is a corporate registry in the UAE for international business companies. It offers a range of structures, each designed for a different purpose. As registered RAK ICC agents with more than twenty years of UAE business formation experience, we help clients choose the structure that fits their objectives and then set it up. Here is what each one is for.
Company Limited by Shares (CLS)
The most versatile RAK ICC structure. A CLS offers flexibility for international trade and investment while keeping limited liability for shareholders. It can issue different classes of shares, accommodate several shareholders and keep full control over its own governance. It suits entrepreneurs and businesses that want a platform for worldwide operations.
Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)
A CLG suits non-profit ventures and property management. Members commit to a guaranteed amount, which gives creditors clear assurance while the organisation keeps its autonomy. It works well where a strong governance framework is needed, for example in real estate management and community associations.
Restricted Purpose Company (RPC)
An RPC limits the company's activities to stated purposes. That gives creditors and stakeholders added confidence, which is valuable for a specific project or a specialised operation where transparency about what the company may do is important.
Foundation
A foundation is designed for asset protection and succession planning. It has its own legal personality, exists indefinitely and is governed by a council under a charter. High-net-worth individuals and families use it to hold and manage assets across generations while keeping strategic control.
Segregated Portfolio Company (SPC)
An SPC can create up to ten segregated portfolios, each with its own ring-fenced assets and liabilities. It is used for investment management, asset holding and the separation of risk between different activities.
Holding Company
A holding company controls subsidiaries while keeping their assets protected and their administration simple. It is commonly used for real estate investments, intellectual property and groups with several operating companies.
Unlimited Company (UC)
A UC has no limit on the liability of its members, which gives creditors maximum confidence. It is used in specific scenarios, including some tax planning structures, as an alternative to limited liability.
Premium Product
The Premium Product pairs a RAK ICC company with a RAKEZ free zone entity. It combines the international advantages of an offshore company with the ability to establish a physical presence in the UAE, with full foreign ownership and access to the UAE's double taxation treaties.
Intellectual Property Holding Company (IPHC)
An IPHC is built to hold and monetise intellectual property. It centralises control of an IP portfolio, protects the assets and offers strategic advantages for international licensing.
Why RAK ICC
- Modern legislation influenced by common law
- Robust compliance procedures that meet international standards
- Flexible structures for diverse business needs
- Access to local and international banking
- A strategic location in the UAE with global reach
- Efficient registry services and experienced registered agents
How we help
Our multinational team handles every part of establishing a RAK ICC company: documentation and registration, corporate structuring and compliance, assistance with bank account opening, visa processing where a RAKEZ entity is included, office solutions and ongoing corporate support. Since the introduction of corporate tax and economic substance rules, the choice of structure also has tax consequences, and we advise on those before you decide. Contact us to discuss your business objectives and the structure that fits them.
About the author
Khalifa Al Sada Advocates & Legal Consultants
Written by the lawyers of Khalifa Al Sada Advocates & Legal Consultants.
