UAE Offshore Company Formation
A UAE offshore company is a holding and asset vehicle, not a trading licence. It can own shares, property in approved areas and intellectual property, and open bank accounts, but cannot trade in the UAE or sponsor visas.
- RAK ICC, JAFZA, AjmanRegistries
- Not availableVisas
- Registered agent addressOffice
- Must registerCorporate tax
About UAE Offshore
UAE offshore companies are incorporated through three main registries. RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) is the most widely used and allows ownership of Dubai freehold property in approved areas. JAFZA Offshore, run by Jebel Ali Free Zone, is often used by groups already in JAFZA and can also hold Dubai property in approved areas. Ajman Offshore offers a lower cost option.
Each requires a registered agent, an annual renewal and good records. Since 2023 offshore companies are UAE resident for corporate tax, so planning the company’s income before formation matters.
Authority
RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore, Ajman Offshore
Best suited to
Holding shares in UAE and foreign companies; Owning property in approved areas; Holding intellectual property; Family and succession structures.
Benefits of UAE Offshore
Asset holding
Shares, property and IP.
Privacy
Shareholder details not on a public register.
Low running cost
No office lease.
Banking
UAE bank accounts possible.
Property
Approved Dubai freehold areas (RAK ICC, JAFZA).
Flexible structure
Simple governance.
RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore and Ajman Offshore compared
| Registry | What to know |
|---|---|
| RAK ICC | Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre. Most popular UAE offshore registry; can own Dubai freehold property in approved areas; no audit requirement in most cases. |
| JAFZA Offshore | Offshore companies registered by Jebel Ali Free Zone. Often used to hold property and shares; can own Dubai property in approved areas. |
| Ajman Offshore | Offshore companies registered through Ajman Free Zone. A lower cost option for holding purposes. |
Company types available
RAK ICC company
Holding, investment and property ownership.
JAFZA Offshore company
Holding and Dubai property ownership in approved areas.
Ajman Offshore company
Lower cost holding vehicle.
Family holding company
Succession planning.
Special Purpose Vehicle
Single asset or financing vehicle.
Legal forms, visas and office
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legal forms | International Business Company, Offshore company |
| Visa allocation | Offshore companies cannot sponsor residence visas. |
| Office | Registered agent address only. |
How setup works
Structure
Choose the registry and the purpose of the company.
Registered agent and KYC
Agent appointed and due diligence completed.
Incorporation
Name approved and incorporation documents issued.
Bank and filings
Bank account support and tax registrations.
Documents required
- Passport copies of shareholders and directors
- Proof of residential address
- Bank reference letter or CV for each shareholder (some registries)
- Business plan or description of the company’s purpose
- For corporate shareholders: attested incorporation and good standing documents
UAE Offshore packages
UAE offshore company
AED 14,999 indicative
- Structure consultation
- Registered agent coordination
- Incorporation and documents
- Documentation and compliance support
- Bank account guidance
- Corporate tax registration
Indicative Balance Brite package prices. Government fees change during the year, so we confirm everything in a written quote before you pay. Prices exclude 5% VAT where it applies.
Tax after setup
A UAE offshore company is a UAE resident person for corporate tax and must register and file, even if it only holds assets. It cannot be a Qualifying Free Zone Person in the way an operating free zone company can, so advice on its income is important before you form it. Corporate tax registration and VAT registration can be added to any package.
UAE Offshore questions
Can a UAE offshore company trade in the UAE?
No. It can hold assets and trade outside the UAE, but cannot do business inside the UAE or lease an office there.
Can an offshore company get visas?
No. If you need visas, consider a free zone or mainland company.
Do offshore companies pay corporate tax?
They are UAE resident and must register and file. Whether tax is payable depends on their income.
Which registry should I choose?
RAK ICC is the usual choice for holding and property. JAFZA suits groups in Jebel Ali. Ajman is lower cost.
Speak to our setup manager about UAE Offshore
Hassam Abbasi manages company setup at Balance Brite. Share your activity, the visas you need and where your customers are, and he will recommend a jurisdiction and give you a written quote.