Jebel Ali Offshore company formation
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JAFZA Offshore provides non-resident vehicle formation under Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority near Dubai's deep-sea port, enabling ownership of approved Dubai real estate, shareholding in UAE companies, and multi-currency banking with 0% personal income tax and full profit repatriation. Setup completes in 3-14 business days at AED 10,000-15,000 with governance requiring two directors, secretary, audited accounts, and 10-year record retention.
Legarithm manages JAFZA Offshore formation including registered agent services, documentation filing, real estate ownership structuring, banking arrangements, and annual compliance coordination.
Quick Snapshot: Benefits and Boundaries
JAFZA (Jebel Ali) Offshore is a prestigious holding vehicle for 100% foreign ownership, enabling international business and asset management with a minimal local footprint in Dubai.
Offshore vs free zone: reading the fine print before you setup
Choosing the Right Entity for Your Dubai Strategy
JAFZA Offshore (Holding)
- Non-resident holding vehicle designed for international assets and investment.
- No trade license issued; entity receives a Certificate of Incorporation.
- International business only; prohibited from selling directly to UAE residents.
- No eligibility for visas for owners, directors, or employees.
- No physical office required; uses the address of a registered agent.
- Permitted to own property in approved freehold areas of Dubai.
- Requires min. 2 directors (human) and 1 company secretary.
- Mandatory annual audit and 10-year financial record keeping.
JAFZA Free Zone (Operating)
- Resident operating entity (FZE/FZCO) integrated into the UAE economy.
- Full business license for Trading, Service, or Industrial activities.
- Permitted to trade within JAFZA, throughout the UAE, and globally.
- Full visa eligibility for investors, management, and staff.
- Mandatory physical presence (Flexi-desk, office, or warehouse lease).
- Property ownership restricted (typically requires special DLD case-by-side approval).
- Requires min. 1 director (can be an individual or a corporate entity).
- Mandatory annual audit for renewal and financial transparency.
Documents to prepare
First, gather a package of documents for KYC. All documents for corporate shareholders must be notarized and legalized/apostilled for use in the UAE.
Individual Shareholders & Directors
- High-resolution passport copy (valid for at least 6 months).
- Proof of residential address (e.g., a utility bill or bank statement less than 3 months old).
- Original bank reference letter or professional reference.
- Brief CV or professional profile outlining your business background.
Corporate Shareholders
- Attested Certificate of Incorporation and constitutional documents (MoA/AoA).
- Certificate of Good Standing or Incumbency.
- Board Resolution approving the investment and appointing authorized signatories.
- A clear Ownership Chart identifying all layers up to the Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBO).
Business Logic & Strategy
- A UBO Declaration form for every person with a 25% or greater interest.
- A simple Business Plan or “banking memo” explaining activities, expected volumes, and counterparties outside the UAE.
- Specimen signatures of all directors, shareholders, and secretaries.
Important Notes for 2026:
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Presence: Shareholders and directors must typically be present in Dubai to sign the formation documents, or provide a notarized Power of Attorney to a representative.
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Validity: Most banks and authorities require “fresh” documents (utility bills and reference letters) that are no more than 3 to 6 months old.
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Translations: If original documents are not in English or Arabic, they must be accompanied by certified translations.
Financial & Compliance Overview
Indicative Costs:
Initial formation generally ranges between AED 10,000 and AED 18,000, covering authority fees and registered agent services.
Record Keeping:
Statutory requirements mandate that accounting records must be maintained for a minimum of 10 years.
Annual Audit:
Companies must appoint an approved auditor to examine annual accounts.
Corporate Tax:
Typically remains outside the 9% corporate tax net if there is no UAE-sourced income or local permanent establishment.
Real Estate NOCs:
Owning property requires specific “No Objection Certificates” from the Dubai Land Department and relevant developers.
Annual Renewals:
Mandatory annual renewal fees are approximately AED 2,500 plus registered agent service costs.
We Are Always Available
Our team ensures your business setup is smooth, efficient, and compliant with local laws. Contact us today to discuss your project.
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