RKT

Ras Al Khaimah

United Arab Emirates

Arriving, settling in and working in Ras Al Khaimah: what official sources say, in the order you’ll need it. Every point links to the page it came from.

Plan my move to Ras Al Khaimah Read the guide ↓

Photo: Pranav Madhu / Unsplash

Guide sections12

Sourced facts53

Last verified1 Nov 2026

Time zoneDubai

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Ras Al Khaimah at a glance

The basics about Ras Al Khaimah, plus official sources for time and money.

Ras Al Khaimah's dialling code is 07. It has Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) and Saqr Port.
u.ae ↗
The E11 highway ends at the Ras Al Khaimah boundary, and the E611 also runs to the emirate.
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The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT. The currency is the UAE dirham (AED), pegged at 1 US dollar = AED 3.6725.
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Jebel Jais is the emirate's main outdoor destination, with a viewing deck and activities such as Jais Flight and a via ferrata.
visitrasalkhaimah.com ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Laws & local rules

The working week, Ramadan etiquette and carrying your ID.

The UAE fact sheet says federal and semi-government offices work Monday to Friday, while Sharjah government entities work Monday to Thursday.
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Private companies set their own days: the fact sheet says most close on Sunday only, while some close on both Saturday and Sunday. Check your contract.
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During Ramadan, non-Muslims do not have to fast, but must not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public during fasting hours. Do not play music or dance in public, and dress respectfully.
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Every UAE resident must get an Emirates ID and carry it at all times. Companies may record the details on your card but may not hold the card.
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Government offices such as RAKTA work Monday to Thursday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm and Friday 7:30 am to 12 pm.
rakta.gov.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Arrive

The first 72 hours

Arriving at RKT

Getting from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport into the city.

The airport says it is about 10 minutes by car from RAK City Centre.
rakairport.com ↗
A free airport bus serves six stops in four emirates: Deira, Al Quoz and Muhaisnah in Dubai, Muwaileh in Sharjah, opposite Lucky Center in Ajman, and Mall of UAQ.
rakairport.com ↗
The airport bus schedule is aligned with flight times. Call the airport on +971 7 207 5200 to check times.
rakairport.com ↗
RAKTA's city bus lines include a stop at RAK Airport, and the RAK Ride express bus stops at the airport (AED 10 to 20).
rakta.gov.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Getting around

E-SAQR cards, city buses, intercity buses and taxis.

City buses and RAK Ride use the E-SAQR card. The Blue card costs AED 30, including AED 20 credit, and is sold at the main bus station and on buses.
rakta.gov.ae ↗
Students and residents over 60 can get the Silver card for AED 20, with 50% off fares. People of determination get the Gold card free.
rakta.gov.ae ↗
Five colour-coded city bus lines run about 6 am to 10 pm, at AED 8 a trip.
rakta.gov.ae ↗
Daily intercity buses go to Dubai's Union Bus Station and to Sharjah (AED 27 each), Ajman (AED 20) and Abu Dhabi (AED 50). Book intercity tickets on the Sayr app.
rakta.gov.ae ↗

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Regular taxis start at AED 4 by day (6 am to 9:59 pm) and AED 5 at night, then AED 1.88 per km, with a AED 2 service fee and AED 6 minimum.
rakta.gov.ae ↗
Taxis run 24/7 and can be booked on the Sayr app. RAKTA's toll-free number is 800 1700.
rakta.gov.ae ↗

External links

Public transport (RAKTA) ↗Taxi service (RAKTA) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Settle

Home, school, doctor, bank

Neighbourhoods & renting

Utilities and the areas buses serve.

Etihad Water & Electricity serves the northern emirates and has a service office in Ras Al Khaimah. Its call centre is 800 3392.
etihadwe.ae ↗
If you are a new tenant moving into a property whose services were cut off, ask Etihad WE for service activation.
etihadwe.ae ↗
For an electricity failure, call 991.
u.ae ↗
RAKTA's city bus lines connect areas such as Al Nakheel, Al Jazirah Al Hamra, Sha'am and RAK Airport. We could not find a published table of rents by area.
rakta.gov.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Schools

Who regulates private schools and fees.

In Ras Al Khaimah, the Department of Knowledge (DoK) regulates private education and supervises schools.
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DoK approves tuition fees, curricula, programmes and assessments.
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Students can get RAKTA's Silver E-SAQR card for 50% off city bus fares.
rakta.gov.ae ↗
Ask each school for its DoK approval and fee schedule before you enrol.
u.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Healthcare

Emergency numbers and health insurance.

In an emergency, call 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance or 997 for the fire department (Civil Defence). Call 991 for an electricity failure.
u.ae ↗
Since 1 January 2025, employers must buy health insurance before applying for or renewing residence permits for private-sector employees and domestic workers. This applies in every emirate.
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Under the 2025 rule, the basic plan for the northern emirates costs AED 320 a year. Outpatient visits carry a 25% co-payment, capped at AED 100 a visit; medicines carry 30%, capped at AED 1,500 a year.
u.ae ↗
Emirates Health Services runs a Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine Center in Ras Al Khaimah.
ehs.gov.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Banking & IDs

Emirates ID steps and opening a bank account.

To get your first Emirates ID, you need a passport valid for at least 3 months, proof of UAE residence and an ICAO-standard photo. Anyone aged 15 or over gives fingerprints at an ICP centre. The standard service takes about 5 days.
icp.gov.ae ↗
ICP lists the resident fee as AED 100 for each year of residence, plus a AED 100 smart service fee.
icp.gov.ae ↗
If you renew your Emirates ID more than a month after it expires, you pay AED 20 a day, up to AED 1,000. Report a lost card to ICP within 7 days.
u.ae ↗
To open a personal account, banks usually ask for your Emirates ID (or passport), proof of residence such as a tenancy contract or utility bill, and a letter from your employer. It can take up to four business days.
centralbank.ae ↗

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A current account comes with cheques and a debit card. A savings account may not allow cheques but pays interest. You can open either or both.
centralbank.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Driving & cars

Licences and traffic files.

The minimum age for a car licence is 18. Under the 'Markhoos' initiative, some visitors can drive on their national licence and exchange it for a UAE licence once they become residents.
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Some expatriate residents can exchange a valid licence from their home country. The UAE portal links to the Ministry of Interior for the list of eligible countries.
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To open a traffic file you usually need copies of your passport and Emirates ID, two photos, an eye test report and, if the traffic department asks, a no-objection letter from your sponsor.
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Taxis from Ras Al Khaimah to other emirates have a AED 15 flag fall, if you'd rather not drive.
rakta.gov.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Thrive

Work, study, belong

Jobs & work

Work permits, job portals, leave and scams.

It is illegal to work in the UAE without a valid work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Employers may only hire you once the permit is issued.
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The UAE portal lists RAK jobs for government roles, and Bayt, NaukriGulf, FoundItGulf, Gulf News Careers and Laimoon for private-sector jobs.
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Never pay money to get a job. The UAE portal says a request to pay for visa processing or a medical test is a red flag, and job seekers do not pay recruitment agency fees.
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After one year of service, private-sector employees get 30 days of fully paid annual leave. Between six months and a year, you earn 2 days for each month worked.
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MOHRE licenses recruitment agencies. You can check with MOHRE that an agency is licensed, or file a complaint.
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Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Universities & colleges

Who's here and how to check accreditation.

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah is listed as active in the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) directory.
caa.ae ↗
Before you enrol, check the CAA lists of licensed institutions and accredited programmes, linked from the UAE portal.
u.ae ↗
Public options across the UAE include UAE University, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology.
u.ae ↗
Students can get RAKTA's Silver E-SAQR card for 50% off city bus fares.
rakta.gov.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Newcomer support

Places of worship, volunteering and the outdoors.

People of other faiths practise their religions freely in the UAE. Temples, churches and gurdwaras are permitted and operate across the country.
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You can find volunteering opportunities on Volunteers.ae, the national volunteering portal.
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Residents over 60 can get the Silver E-SAQR bus card with 50% off fares, and people of determination ride free with the Gold card.
rakta.gov.ae ↗
RAKTA runs a weekend bus to Musandam in Oman (AED 50, Friday to Sunday).
rakta.gov.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

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