UAE Offshore Company Formation
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A UAE offshore company is a non-resident entity in RAK ICC, JAFZA, or Ajman for holding assets, owning IP, and cross-border trade — with 100% foreign ownership and no local partner. Legarithm handles it end to end: registry choice, incorporation, UBO filings, FTA corporate-tax registration, and a bank-ready application, so your structure passes compliance review the first time, not just registration. Need staff, an office, or residency instead? A UAE free zone company or the Golden Visa is the better route — or compare every option with our company formation in the UAE team, from RAK ICC and JAFZA offshore setup to ongoing corporate-tax and accounting support.
Why choose Legarithm for your offshore structure
The difference between a UAE offshore company that works for years and one that gets frozen is rarely the paperwork — it is the judgment behind it. The wrong registry, a thin ownership rationale, or a structure a bank cannot get comfortable with are the mistakes that surface months later, long after the certificate is issued, and they are expensive to unwind.
We have seen where these setups break, so we build backwards from the outcome you actually need — holding, licensing, trading, or property — and choose the registry and ownership layout that a bank and the regulator will both accept. You work with a licensed team, not a form-filling portal: senior advisors who know how RAK ICC, JAFZA, and Ajman really differ, direct relationships with the banks that matter, and one person accountable to you from the first call through to your first transaction. The scope is fixed and transparent, so you always know what you are paying for and what happens next.
Key benefits of a UAE offshore company
These are the outcomes owners actually open one for.
Who a UAE offshore company is for
A UAE offshore company suits owners who operate across borders and want a clean, non-resident vehicle to hold value or trade.
International traders
Businesses invoicing clients and suppliers in several countries that want a neutral, tax-efficient contracting entity.
Holding companies & family offices
Owners consolidating shares, subsidiaries, and generational wealth under one protected parent.
IP and tech founders
Founders centralising trademarks, software, and licensing income away from operating risk.
Real-estate investors
Investors structuring property holdings, including Dubai real estate through a RAK ICC company since the 2024 rules.
E-commerce & digital consultants
Location-independent operators who bill globally and do not need a UAE work visa.
Asset-protection planners
Individuals ring-fencing personal or business assets behind a confidential structure.
What’s included in your UAE offshore company setup
Every UAE offshore company we form is delivered as a complete, bank-ready package, not just a certificate.
Registry selection & structuring
RAK ICC, JAFZA, or Ajman, matched to your goal and banking plan.
Name check & incorporation
Trade-name reservation and filing of the incorporation documents.
Registered agent & office
The mandatory UAE registered agent and address, maintained annually.
Corporate documents
Memorandum, articles, share certificates, and officers’ consents.
UBO & KYC filings
Beneficial-owner register set up and filed within statutory deadlines.
Corporate-tax registration
FTA / EmaraTax registration so your 0% position stays compliant.
Bank-account application
A documented, bank-ready file plus introductions to suitable banks.
Renewals & standing
Annual license renewal and compliance reminders handled for you.
Not sure which registry fits?
Get a consultation — a 30-minute call maps your structure, total cost, and timeline.
RAK ICC vs JAFZA vs Ajman: compare the registries
The right UAE offshore company depends on where you register — the three main registries differ on cost, speed, banking, and property rights.
| Feature | RAK ICC | JAFZA Offshore | Ajman Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cost + flexibility (most popular) | Banking + prestige, Dubai property | Lowest-budget setups |
| Formation time | 1–3 working days | 5–10 working days | 3–5 working days |
| Typical annual cost | ~AED 9,500–13,000 | ~AED 15,000–25,000 | ~AED 7,000–9,000 |
| Minimum directors | 1 | 1 (since 2024) | 1 |
| Dubai real estate | Yes (since 2024, RAKEZ licence) | Yes (long-established) | No |
| Banking accessibility | Good | Excellent | Limited |
| 100% foreign ownership | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Residence visa | No | No | No |
Need staff, a UAE-facing business, or a residence visa? A free zone company or the UAE Golden Visa is usually the better route.
Start your UAE offshore company the right way
One consultation tells you the registry, the total cost, and the timeline for your structure.
What we need from you
Setup starts the moment we have your identity, address, and source-of-funds documents.
- Valid passport copy for every shareholder and director
- Proof of address issued within the last 3 months (utility bill or bank statement)
- A recent CV or professional profile
- A bank or professional reference letter
- A short source-of-funds / source-of-wealth summary
How UAE offshore company formation works
Forming a UAE offshore company with Legarithm is a five-step process most clients complete in one to two weeks.
How much a UAE offshore company costs
A UAE offshore company has two cost layers — official government and registry fees that depend on the emirate, and Legarithm’s own fee, which we fix after a free consultation rather than as a fixed package price up front.
| Cost item | RAK ICC | JAFZA Offshore | Ajman Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration (one-time, government) | from AED 3,250 | from ~AED 15,000 | AED 7,500–15,000 |
| Annual renewal (government) | from AED 3,950/yr | from ~AED 15,000/yr | AED 5,000–9,000/yr |
| Registered agent (mandatory) | Quoted with our service | Quoted with our service | Quoted with our service |
| Legarithm service fee | Individual · after a free consultation | Individual · after a free consultation | Individual · after a free consultation |
Government and registry fees are approximate 2026 tariffs (RAK ICC figures follow the official schedule); JAFZA is the premium option, with a typical all-in first year of AED 25,000–50,000. The mandatory registered agent and Legarithm’s own fee are priced separately and fixed after a free consultation. Ongoing bookkeeping and corporate-tax filing run through our UAE accounting services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions?
Does an offshore company have to pay the 9% corporate tax?
Offshore companies are within the scope of UAE corporate tax, but income from purely foreign sources is generally taxed at 0%. The key is registering with the FTA and keeping UAE-sourced income out of the company; our UAE tax services team handles the registration.
Do I still have to register for corporate tax if my rate is 0%?
Yes. Every UAE juridical person must register with the FTA via EmaraTax, generally within three months of incorporation; late registration carries a fixed AED 10,000 penalty.
Is economic substance (ESR) still required?
No. ESR reporting was cancelled for financial years ending after 31 December 2022, so a newly formed offshore company has no ongoing ESR filing.
Can an offshore company get me a UAE residence visa?
No. Offshore entities are non-resident by design and cannot sponsor visas. If you need residency, a free-zone company or the UAE Golden Visa is the right route.
Can the company own property in Dubai?
Yes, in approved areas. Since 2024, a RAK ICC company can hold Dubai real estate, and JAFZA has long allowed it; Ajman offshore companies cannot.
How long does incorporation take?
Do I need a physical office?
You don’t lease an office, but you must maintain a registered agent and a registered address in the UAE, both of which we provide.
Are the owners’ names public?
No. Shareholder and director details are filed with the registry and the UBO register, but they are not published on any public record.
Do I need to travel to the UAE?
You don’t lease an office, but you must maintain a registered agent and a registered address in the UAE, both of which we provide.
Are the owners’ names public?
No. Shareholder and director details are filed with the registry and the UBO register, but they are not published on any public record.
Do I need to travel to the UAE?
Usually not for incorporation. Some banks may request a video call or a single visit as part of account opening.
Can I redomicile an existing offshore company into the UAE?
What ongoing filings does the company have?
An annual license renewal, an up-to-date UBO register, and an annual corporate-tax return — filed even when the tax due is zero.
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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