UAE
RAK ICC (Foundation)
Foundation structure for long-term stewardship, succession planning, and asset ring-fencing.
10-20 business days
0-9% tax
Asset ProtectionHolding CompanyReal EstateIP HoldingInvestment Funds
Key Benefits
Why form in UAE?
Stewardship structure
A foundation can hold assets under a governance framework aligned to long-term stewardship objectives.
Succession planning
Useful for multi-beneficiary or family arrangements with clear rules for oversight and distributions.
Ring-fence assets
Helps separate valuable assets (shares, IP, property holdings) from operating risk in other entities.
Tailored governance
Charter and regulations can embed council powers and decision-making rules to suit specific control requirements.
Professional presentation
Governance documents and records can be structured for bank and counterparties' diligence expectations.
International use
Often used in cross-border holding structures, subject to tax advice and bank onboarding outcomes.
Tax Overview
UAE taxation at a glance
UAE Corporate Tax
0% may apply to Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs) on qualifying income; otherwise 9% may apply. The AED 375,000 0% band generally applies to non-QFZPs; QFZPs instead follow the qualifying/non-qualifying income rules.
0-9%
VAT
Generally applies only if the foundation undertakes VATable activities and registers for VAT.
5%
Withholding Tax
The UAE does not currently levy withholding tax on outbound payments under the federal Corporate Tax regime.
0%
Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT)
May apply to UAE entities that are part of large multinational groups (Pillar Two threshold) to ensure a 15% minimum effective tax rate in the UAE.
up to 15%
Formation Process
How we incorporate your RAK ICC (Foundation)
1
Day 1–5
Structuring & KYC Intake
Confirm purpose, council composition and governance approach; collect KYC for relevant parties.
2
Day 6–7
Name Check
Run name checks and confirm an acceptable foundation name.
3
Day 8–14
Standard Documentation
Prepare standard foundation documents and registrations required for filing.
4
Day 15–19
Registration Filing & Review
Submit registration application and respond to queries/clarifications if raised.
5
Day 20
Certificate Issuance & Pack
Receive registration certificate and deliver the digital governance pack.
Pricing
What's included in your RAK ICC (Foundation)
Formation Package
$500
- Foundation registration application preparation and filing (RAK ICC)
- Completion of standard foundation documents required by RAK ICC
- Registered agent onboarding and file setup
- Provision of registered office address via the registered agent
- Issue/collection of foundation registration certificate and registry documents
- Standard governance record templates (council/beneficiary records as applicable)
- Digital governance document pack (formation set)
Annual Maintenance
$3,400/year
- Annual renewal application (RAK ICC foundation)
- Annual confirmation/return submission support (as applicable)
- Registered office address continuation via registered agent
- Registered agent annual servicing and reminders
Add-ons
Enhance your RAK ICC (Foundation)
Nominee Services
- Provision of Council MemberAppoint a professional council member for your foundation.
Other Services
- Bespoke Charter & BylawsCustom charter/bylaws drafting for foundations.
Ready to get started?
Form your RAK ICC (Foundation) in UAE and have your entity ready in 10-20 business days.
EntityEngine is a private facilitation platform, not a government agency or law firm. Information is general only (not legal/tax advice). Filings are completed by regulated third-party partners. Terms.