VoxxArrive · Emirate
Onboarding new hires in Ras Al Khaimah: compliance checklist
Ras Al Khaimah processes residency through the federal ICP and, as a northern emirate, was brought under mandatory employer health insurance only from 1 January 2025 via the federal Basic Health Insurance scheme under MOHAP. Its dominant free zone, RAKEZ, is one of the larger multi-sector zones in the UAE and is where many employers here onboard staff.
What's different
- Residence visas are issued via the federal ICP; there is no separate RAK immigration authority.
- Employer health insurance became mandatory only from 1 January 2025 under the federal Basic Health Insurance scheme (basic package from around AED 320/year), now required before a residence permit is issued or renewed. Private-sector coverage is under the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).
- RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) is the emirate's principal free zone (a large multi-sector zone covering industrial, commercial and services activities), alongside RAK Maritime City Free Zone; both follow federal MOHRE labour rules for onboarding.
Which onboarding steps this affects
This affects 17 of the 57 onboarding tasks, concentrated in the Pre-boarding, Day 1, Week 1, Month 1, Month 3+ phases. Work through them in the live demo to see the compliance-readiness score respond as each is ticked off.
Your task slice
17 of the 57 onboarding tasks apply here.
Verify MOHRE establishment card is active and labour quota is available for the role
Establishment card / labour quota confirmation
Apply for the MOHRE work permit (labour card) via Tasheel/MOHRE portal
Work permit approval
Apply for entry permit (e-visa) or initiate in-country status change
Entry permit (60-day validity)
Collect and attest pre-boarding documents (passport, photos, degree/qualification attestation)
Attested document pack
Purchase mandatory health insurance policy (prerequisite for residency since 1 Jan 2025)
Health insurance policy certificate
Collect original passport and entry permit for residence visa processing
Issue health insurance card and policy details to the employee
Health insurance card
Book and complete medical fitness test at an approved centre (communicable-disease screening)
Medical fitness certificate
Complete ICP Emirates ID biometrics (fingerprints, iris scan, photo)
Emirates ID application receipt
Submit residence visa application to GDRFA/ICP after medical and EID biometrics
Complete residence visa stamping / e-visa linking to the passport
Residence visa
Confirm health insurance activation is linked to the residency file
Collect the issued Emirates ID card once produced by ICP
Emirates ID card
Verify residence visa and Emirates ID are fully issued (post-entry chain within 60 days)
Review health insurance coverage adequacy and dependant options
File original Emirates ID and residence visa copies in the personnel record
Confirm health insurance validity aligns with residency expiry
Some figures on this page vary by jurisdiction, zone or nationality, or could not be independently confirmed from a public source at time of writing - confirm the current figure with the regulator before relying on it.
Sources
Frequently asked
Does Ras Al Khaimah use ICP or GDRFA?
Ras Al Khaimah uses the federal ICP for entry permits and residence visas. Only Dubai uses GDRFA.
Is employer health insurance mandatory in Ras Al Khaimah?
Yes, since 1 January 2025 under the federal Basic Health Insurance scheme. Employers must hold a compliant policy (basic package from around AED 320/year) before a residence permit is issued or renewed - a recent change for RAK employers.
Which regulator governs health insurance in RAK?
The federal Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) framework applies to private-sector expatriate employees, not DHA or DOH.
What is the main free zone in Ras Al Khaimah?
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone), a large multi-sector free zone, plus RAK Maritime City Free Zone. Both follow federal MOHRE labour law for hiring and onboarding.