It is actually true. I received an email from RAK ICC a few days ago! The recent partnership between the Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) and the Dubai Land Department (DLD) marks an important moment for the UAE’s corporate structuring and real estate. Starting September 2025, this collaboration has been officially announced, enabling RAK ICC Foundations to own and register Dubai freehold properties through a regulated process approved by DLD. As a CSP and Legal Advisor, I get asked a lot if the RAK ICC structures are good for real estate assets, and I always have to respond with “It depends” — and the rest is clear.
Dubai’s real estate ecosystem has taken another leap forward following the signing of the abovementioned Memorandum of Understanding between the Dubai Land Department and Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC). This MOU paves the way for RAK ICC Foundations to definitely own and register freehold properties in Dubai, moving away from the previous – maybe – approval process and possibility, as well as the ambiguity of answers. Now, all UAE Foundations are able to directly own Dubai assets, which I see as a very encouraging step towards a federal initiative to allow all UAE foundation structures to own assets across the Emirates, and not just in Dubai. So, another step to be confirmed by all other real estate regulatory authorities across the seven emirates.
Back to our Dubai story. This step strongly aligns with Dubai’s strategic ambitions to maintain its business-friendly and inclusive image, attracting investors from all over the world, international high-net-worth individuals, and businessmen; encouraging investor confidence and reinforcing transparency in property transactions. Now, by finally accepting and recognizing the RAK ICC Foundations, it shows Dubai’s arms wide open for the modernization of asset protection solutions. It means a lot in general and, in particular, to RAK, in terms of the trust levels towards the RAK ICC compliance and corporate governance regulations and their applicability to asset protection features following the legal updates in July 2025. They are now positioned to serve – alongside the big players DIFC and ADGM – as a key succession and legacy planning tool for high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs, and expat residents seeking to consolidate and protect their Dubai real estate holdings for many reasons.
I remember a few of my clients and colleagues who are registered CSPs in RAK ICC and are not registered in ADGM or DIFC, who wanted to opt for the RAK ICC Foundation structure to benefit from many perks that are more or less exclusive to them but had to change their minds at the last minute because of the Dubai real estate element in the decision. Now, they can — and, in fact, they can even opt to relocate if they wish.
The fact that this is happening now when the surge of real estate projects and sales in RAK is happening due ot the news for all the upcoming projects and gaming licenses that will be launched 2026-2027 creates a very relevant buzz. Investors are floking to buy a piece of RAK and most probably they will combine it with some other real estate investments in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi where most of the famous running entertainment projects are up and running and for all what is upcoming the RAK Foundation would be the focus. Excited to see the coming few years in terms of what is next for the UAE Foundations structures in general.
Banking, while a few people would say it remains a question mark. I would highly empasis that the myth is about to disappear. RAK ICC structures are not very hard to open bank accounts for – at least not anymore – and as long as the client is using a reliable and professional Corporate Service Provider they wil be very successful to get such banking relationship started with no hasstle and no questions. The reality is that it all boils down to the legitimacy of the client themselves and not on the structure, the level of knowledge passed from the consultant to the client about the relevance and reason the bank is asking for so much information and what are their connection to the bank account opening is what it makes the process a success or a fail.
Generally, this update also shows a broader UAE government vision of enhanced economic cooperation between different emirates and modern regulation, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global real estate hub. It provides investors with a greater pool of choices in terms of corporate structuring options, more certainty of applicability, and more flexibility — helping to further strengthen Dubai’s reputation as a real estate investment destination and a premier hub for asset diversification and wealth structuring.
