If you are dealing with a company registered in Ras Al Khaimah, RAKEZ license verification becomes even more relevant before establishing a business relationship, signing contracts, making payments, or relying on the company’s licence in other ways.
A business licence certifies that the company is registered and legalised to engage in the activities stated in the certificate. Nevertheless, getting a copy of the trade licence issued to the company may not be enough, so businesses, suppliers, investors, customers, and partners may be interested in checking whether the contract details and other pieces of information are up-to-date and belong to an actual company.
RAKEZ offers a convenient online option for licence verification. You can type in a licence number to get access to the required information.
In the following guide, you will learn how to verify a RAKEZ licence, check the details, understand why it is essential to utilise this tool and what to do if the information does not match.
What Is RAKEZ License Verification?
RAKEZ licence verification is the process of checking whether a business licence issued through the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) can be verified through the relevant official system.
The verification process can help you establish whether the licence number is recognised by the RAKEZ system.
RAKEZ provides an online verification page that asks users to enter a licence number before proceeding with verification.
This can be particularly useful when you are:
- Checking a supplier
- Verifying a potential business partner
- Reviewing a company before signing a contract
- Confirming a customer’s business details
- Conducting due diligence
- Checking a company’s licensing status
- Reviewing a company before making a payment
Why Is RAKEZ License Verification Important?
A business licence contains vital information about a company’s legal business activity and registration.
Checking this data can help avoid any unwanted situations, for example, dealing with dishonest companies
- An expired licence
- An incorrect licence number
- A modified document
- An outdated licence copy
- Incorrect company information
- Activities that are not covered by the licence
For businesses conducting due diligence, licence verification should be one part of a wider verification process rather than the only check.
How to Check a RAKEZ Licence online
The process is quite simple. Firstly,
get the licence number from the organisation you are working with
they should be able to provide you with the most updated version of their RAKEZ trade licence or the number directly from their paperwork. Secondly, make sure the number is legible to you.
It is not advisable to take a screenshot of the document or send it via messenger if possible. If this step is skipped, there is a possibility that a fraud could use a manipulated photo of a licence.
Step 2: Access the RAKEZ Verification Service
Use the official RAKEZ verification service rather than an unofficial third-party website.
RAKEZ’s verification page provides a field for entering the License Number.
Step 3: Enter the License Number
Make sure you enter the licence number as it is printed on the company’s licence.
Pay special attention to numbers to avoid mistakes.
Even one wrong digit can lead to a failed search.
Step 4: Complete the verification
The RAKEZ verification page also requires you to “Verify Yourself” as a part of the process.
Simply follow the instruction stated on the page.
Step 5: Compare the information
If the licence is successfully verified, compare the information returned by the system with the licence document supplied by the company.
Pay particular attention to:
- Company name
- Licence number
- Licence status
- Business activity
- Licence validity
- Other available registration information
If the details are not matching, a licence can not be concluded as fraudulent. It might have recently been renewed and the new date might not have updated yet.
What Should You Check on a RAKEZ Licence?
Licence verification is an important step in screening a company.
However, simply searching up the licence number is not enough
1. Company Name
Check that the legal company name matches the name provided on:
- Contracts
- Invoices
- Bank details
- Quotations
- Email signatures
A mismatch should be investigated before proceeding.
2. Licence Number
Confirm that the licence number on the document matches the number entered into the RAKEZ verification system.
3. Licence Status
If the verification service provides status information, check whether the licence is currently valid.
An old licence document does not necessarily prove that the company is currently licensed.
4. Expiry Date
Check the licence expiry date.
This is particularly important if you are entering into a long-term contract or making a significant payment.
RAKEZ provides specific renewal procedures for licences, and failure to renew on time can result in penalties.
5. Business Activities
Check whether the company’s actual business activity corresponds with the activities listed on its licence.
This is an important due-diligence point.
For example, a company licensed for consultancy services should not automatically be assumed to be authorised for unrelated commercial or industrial activities.
RAKEZ maintains an official licence activity database that allows businesses to review approved activities and applicable licence categories.
RAKEZ Licence Verification vs Checking a Licence Copy
These are two different things.
Checking the Licence Copy
You are reviewing information printed or displayed on the company’s licence document.
Online Licence Verification
You are checking the licence through an official RAKEZ verification facility.
The second method provides an additional layer of confidence because you are checking the licence number against the authority’s system.
For important business transactions, it is sensible to use both methods.
Can You Verify a RAKEZ licence without the company?
If you have the relevant licence number, you can use the RAKEZ online verification facility to begin the verification process.
However, the amount of information publicly accessible may depend on the verification service and the licence.
If you require any extra information that is not found from the search itself, it would be best to contact RAKEZ for more information.
What If a RAKEZ Licence Cannot Be Verified?
A failed verification does not necessarily mean that the company is fraudulent
There are various reasons why this could be the case.
Incorrect Licence Number
The number may have been entered incorrectly.
Check the licence document again.
Old Licence Document
The company may have renewed or amended its licence after the copy was issued.
Ask for the latest licence document.
Recent Renewal
If a renewal has recently been submitted, there may be a short period before updated documentation is available.
RAKEZ’s published renewal procedure involves submitting the renewal request, making payment, uploading mandatory documents and submitting the request for RAKEZ verification before the renewed licence is issued.
Licence Amendment
The company may have changed its trade name, activities or other registration information.
RAKEZ states that changes to information contained in a licence take effect upon issuance of the amended licence.
Incorrect or Suspicious Information
If the licence number cannot be confirmed and the company fails to give a plausible reason, it is best to be wary.
What If the Company Name does not match?
A company name mismatch deserves investigation.
Possible reasons include the following:
- Recent trade-name change
- Branch structure
- Different legal entity and trading name
- Outdated licence copy
- Incorrect information supplied by the company
RAKEZ provides formal procedures for trade-name amendments, including changes to registration and licensing documents.
Before signing a contract, ensure that the legal entity named in the contract is actually an approved company.
Does licence verification confirm that a company is legitimate?
No.
This is an important distinction.
A valid business licence confirms licensing information, but it does not automatically establish that a company is:
- Financially stable
- Reputable
- Experienced
- Free from disputes
- Safe to invest with
- Guaranteed to deliver a service
For significant transactions, conduct additional due diligence.
You may also want to check:
- Company ownership
- Registered business activity
- Physical address
- Corporate bank details
- Contracts
- References
- Website and business presence
- Relevant regulatory approvals
- Financial information where appropriate
RAKEZ License Verification for Suppliers
Companies often have to verify their suppliers before establishing commercial relationships.
Suppose before buying any goods from a new supplier in the UAE, you could:
- Request the supplier’s trade licence.
- Record the licence number.
- Verify the number through RAKEZ.
- Compare the company name.
- Review the listed business activity.
- Check the licence validity.
- Confirm the company’s bank details separately.
- Review the contract before making payment.
This process can help reduce avoidable business risks.
RAKEZ License Verification for Customers
Verification can also be useful when onboarding new corporate customers.
Businesses can use licence verification as part of their customer due-diligence process.
This can be particularly relevant for companies that need to understand:
- Who they are dealing with
- Whether the customer is an operating business
- Whether the stated business activity is consistent with the proposed transaction
- Whether additional compliance checks are necessary
For regulated businesses, licence verification should be combined with the applicable KYC and AML procedures.
RAKEZ License Verification for Investors
Investors considering a business opportunity should be particularly careful.
A company presenting itself as a RAKEZ-registered business should be able to provide appropriate licensing information.
Before transferring money, verify:
- Legal company name
- Licence number
- Licence status
- Business activity
- Company ownership information where available
- Contracting entity
- Bank-account details
Do not treat a trade licence alone as proof that an investment opportunity is legitimate.
How Often Should You Verify a RAKEZ Licence?
There is no universal requirement that every business must verify a licence at a particular interval.
However, businesses can make verification part of their internal due diligence procedures.
Consider checking licences:
- Before onboarding a new supplier
- Before signing major contracts
- Before making significant payments
- During annual vendor reviews
- When renewing contracts
- When company details change
- When there are concerns about a business partner
For higher-risk relationships, more frequent checks may be appropriate.
What happens when a RAKEZ licence expires?
A business licence needs to be renewed to maintain its active licensing status.
RAKEZ’s current free-zone renewal checklist states that failure to renew on or before expiry can result in a late renewal penalty of AED 50 per day from the licence expiry date, along with potential third-party fines.
This makes checking their status on a licence particularly important if you have an existing supplier or business partner.
Do not assume that because they gave you a valid licence in the past, that they are still authorised to do business with you.
RAKEZ Licence Verification and Licence Renewal
Licence verification and renewal are closely connected.
A business may have submitted a renewal application but still have an older licence document.
RAKEZ’s published renewal process through Portal 360 includes:
- Log in to Portal 360.
- Select Registration.
- Select Renewal.
- Enter the required details.
- Make payment.
- Upload mandatory documents.
- Submit the request for RAKEZ verification.
- Provide missing documents if requested.
- Receive the issued licence.
Therefore, if a company says that its licence is “under renewal,” request appropriate evidence instead of relying on verbal confirmation.
What Is Portal 360?
Portal 360 is RAKEZ’s digital platform for accessing various business services.
RAKEZ’s published licensing procedures use Portal 360 for licence renewal applications and other registration-related services.
Businesses can use the platform to submit relevant service requests and track their processing.
Can You Verify RAKEZ Licence Activities?
Yes, activity information can be checked as part of licence due diligence.
RAKEZ provides an official Licence Activity List containing business activities and information about the applicable licensing categories.
This is useful because the existence of a company licence does not necessarily mean that the company is authorised to conduct every type of business.
Always compare the proposed transaction with the company’s approved activity.
Why Business Activity Verification Matters
Consider a simple example.
A company provides you with a valid RAKEZ licence. The licence itself is genuine, but the company proposes to carry out an activity that is not listed on its approved business activities.
The fact that the company has a valid licence does not automatically mean that the proposed activity is covered.
This is why licence verification and activity verification should be treated as separate checks.
Common Mistakes When Verifying a RAKEZ Licence
Relying Only on a PDF
A licence PDF might be helpful, but make sure to double-check the details using the official system.
Using Third-Party Verification Websites
For official verification, make sure to use the appropriate RAKEZ verification service instead of an unofficial website.
Checking Only the Company Name
A matching company name is not enough. Check the licence number, status, validity and activities.
Ignoring the Expiry Date
A previously valid licence may now be expired.
Assuming a Valid Licence Means Every Activity Is Allowed
Business activities are subject to the licence and applicable approvals.
Ignoring Recent Amendments
A company may have changed its trade name, activities or other details.
RAKEZ License Verification Checklist
Before dealing with a RAKEZ-registered company, consider the following:
- Obtain the current licence copy
- Record the licence number
- Verify the licence through the official RAKEZ service
- Confirm the legal company name
- Check licence status
- Check expiry date
- Review approved activities
- Check whether additional approvals may be required
- Confirm the contracting entity
- Verify bank details independently
- Conduct additional due diligence for high-value transactions
Final Thoughts
RAKEZ licence verification is a simple but useful step when conducting business with a company registered in Ras Al Khaimah.
The official RAKEZ verification facility allows users to enter a licence number and complete a verification process.
However, it is important to note that thorough due diligence will not be limited to verifying the existence of a licence. You should also check the company’s name, licence status, expiry date, approval of business activities and other details.
However, it is important to note that thorough due diligence will not be limited to verifying the existence of a licence. You should also check the company’s name, licence status, expiry date, approval of business activities and other details.
, ask the company for its latest licence and supporting documentation. Recent renewals or amendments can sometimes explain discrepancies.
For suppliers, customers, investors and business partners, making licence verification part of your onboarding and compliance process can help reduce unnecessary business risk.
Always use official RAKEZ sources for verification and confirm important information directly with RAKEZ when the online result is unclear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RAKEZ licence verification?
RAKEZ licence verification is the process of checking a RAKEZ business licence through the official verification facility using the licence number.
How can I verify a RAKEZ licence online?
Use the official RAKEZ verification service, enter the licence number, and complete the required verification steps.
What information do I need to verify a RAKEZ license?
The RAKEZ online verification service requires the licence number to begin the verification process.
Can I verify a company using its trade name?
The RAKEZ verification page identified in this guide specifically requests a licence number. If you do not have the licence number, contact the company or RAKEZ for the appropriate verification route.
How do I check whether a RAKEZ license is still valid?
Use the official verification service and compare the result with the company’s current licence document. You can also contact RAKEZ if the status is unclear.
Can I check a company’s business activity?
Yes. RAKEZ publishes a licence activity database that can be used to review business activities and applicable licence categories.
What if my RAKEZ licence verification fails?
First, check that the licence number has been entered correctly. Then ask the company for its latest licence document. If the issue remains unresolved, contact RAKEZ directly.
Does a valid RAKEZ licence mean a company is trustworthy?
No. Licence verification confirms licensing information but does not guarantee a company’s financial position, reputation, performance or the legitimacy of a particular transaction.
How often should I verify a business licence?
For important suppliers and business partners, consider verification during onboarding and periodically thereafter, especially before major transactions or contract renewals.
Can an expired RAKEZ licence still appear in company documents?
A company may still possess an old licence document after expiry or renewal. Always check the current licensing status rather than relying on an old copy.
Does RAKEZ have an online licence renewal system?
Yes. RAKEZ’s published renewal process uses Portal 360 for submitting licence-renewal requests, payments, and documents.
