المحتوى التفصيلي لهذه الصفحة متوفر حالياً باللغة الإنجليزية.
The most common business configuration in the UAE is the Offshore Business Setup. Generally, a corporate entity used mainly for international business and asset holding is known as an offshore corporation (UAE corporate tax at 9% applies to UAE-source business profits since June 2023).
Additionally, they provide the best solutions for managing finances, doing smart foreign investments, managing businesses, and operating businesses freely and easily.
Offshore firms are organizations that are registered in Dubai but are permitted to have their headquarters elsewhere offshore, outside of Dubai. Generally, limited liability corporations, limited businesses, and limited partnerships can all be formed Offshore Business Setups in Dubai.
Advantages of Dubai offshore company formations
- No personal income tax; corporate tax (9%) applies to UAE-source business since June 2023
- Full repatriation of profits
- 100% foreign ownership is permitted
- Only one shareholder and a director required to register the company
- Any currency can be used as capital for the company
- No requirement to deposit the money in the offshore bank account
- The shareholders are benefitted from the privacy
- Finally, setting up an offshore company is a cheap and easy way to open a corporate bank account
Documents Required to Start an Offshore Business setup in Dubai – UAE
- Business plan
- Original Bank reference letter or 6 monthly bank statements.
- Proof of Address
- CV of the shareholders.
- Passport copies of the shareholders.
- 3 options for name reservation.
- Business Activity
However, with a great experience in Offshore Business setup in UAE, we at Wordcraft assist in all procedures from start to end for opening a foreign company bank account here.
Chiefly, our business advisors are well-versed in offshore incorporation proceedings and can help you prepare a complete, consistent application. Moreover, holding industry experience has given them the potential to understand the business needs and provide tailored solutions suiting the business needs.
Particularly, if you are looking forward to starting your Offshore Business Setup in Dubai, UAE, please contact us today- we’d be happy to help you.
Who Needs This Service
An offshore company suits owners who need a UAE holding or international trading vehicle rather than a local operating business:
- Investors holding shares, intellectual property or other assets through one company
- Businesses invoicing international clients without trading inside the UAE
- Owners who want to hold UAE property through a company, where the relevant authority permits it
- Groups that need a simple structure for international contracts
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an offshore company get UAE residence visas or an office?
No. Offshore companies cannot sponsor residence visas or lease office space for trading in the UAE. If you need visas or a local office, a free zone or mainland licence is the right choice.
Can an offshore company open a UAE bank account?
Yes, offshore companies can apply for a corporate account with UAE banks, subject to each bank's KYC requirements. We prepare the documents the bank asks for.
Which structure should I choose — offshore, free zone or mainland?
It depends on whether you need to trade inside the UAE, sponsor visas or have a physical office. We compare the options for your activity in a free consultation.
What an Offshore Company Can and Cannot Do
| An offshore company can | An offshore company cannot |
|---|---|
| Hold shares in UAE and overseas companies | Trade with customers inside the UAE |
| Own intellectual property and other assets | Lease an office for trading in the UAE |
| Sign international contracts and invoice clients abroad | Sponsor residence visas |
| Open a UAE corporate bank account, subject to the bank's KYC | Replace a mainland or free zone license for local business |
If you need both, a common structure is an offshore holding company that owns a free zone or mainland operating company, see mainland vs free zone for the operating side.
RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore and Ajman Offshore Compared
| Registry | Linked to | Commonly used for |
|---|---|---|
| RAK ICC | Ras Al Khaimah | Holding companies, asset protection, IP and international trading structures, see RAK ICC offshore company setup |
| JAFZA Offshore | Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai | Holding structures for groups with Dubai operations, see JAFZA company setup |
| Ajman Offshore | Ajman | Simple holding and international structures, see Ajman Free Zone company setup |
All three are formed through a registered agent and use the agent's address. Rules on property ownership, shareholder types and documents differ between registries and change over time, so we confirm the current position for your plan in the quote. The RAK ICC registry publishes its rules at rakicc.com.
Owning Dubai Property Through an Offshore Company
Offshore companies are often used to hold Dubai property, which can simplify succession and joint ownership. This is possible only in areas and cases the Dubai Land Department permits, and the offshore company's documents, certificate of incorporation, register of shareholders and directors, and a board resolution or power of attorney, must be current, attested where issued abroad and translated into Arabic. We prepare the corporate documents and arrange notarization of the power of attorney for the person who will sign at the transfer, while your conveyancer handles the property side.
Corporate Tax and Beneficial Ownership for Offshore Companies
A UAE offshore company is still a UAE taxpayer: it registers with the Federal Tax Authority, and taxable income falls under the 9% regime; how the rules apply to a holding or international structure should be confirmed with a registered tax agent, read our guide to corporate tax registration for new UAE companies. Offshore registries also record beneficial ownership details, and banks will ask for the same information. Wordcraft does not provide tax advice or filing; we prepare, attest and legally translate the corporate documents that registries, banks and tax agents need.
Last updated: September 2026
