Licensing

Dubai Offshore Company Setup

A holding and international trading vehicle, without UAE residence visas.

Fixed price quoted up front
Mainland and every free zone
Licence, visas, banking, one team
Most licences in days, not weeks

An offshore company is a non resident structure used to hold assets, own shares in other companies, own property where permitted, and conduct trade outside the UAE. It is registered with an offshore registrar such as JAFZA Offshore or RAK ICC, and it is deliberately lightweight: no office, no staff and no residence visas.

Offshore is often misunderstood. It is not a cheaper way to run a UAE business, because an offshore company cannot trade inside the UAE or sponsor visas. It is the right tool when the objective is holding, consolidation or international trade, and the wrong tool when the objective is operating locally.

The basics

An offshore company is an international business company registered in the UAE but not licensed to carry on business within it. It has a certificate of incorporation, a registered agent and a memorandum and articles of association, but no trade licence for local activity and no establishment card.

The common uses are holding shares in UAE and overseas subsidiaries, holding designated freehold property, ring fencing assets, and invoicing international clients. Offshore companies can open a corporate bank account, subject to the bank's own compliance requirements, which have tightened considerably in recent years.

Why it works

Full foreign ownership

Offshore companies are wholly owned by their shareholders with no local participation required.

Asset holding

Hold shares in operating companies, intellectual property and designated freehold property under one clean structure.

No office required

The registered agent provides the registered address, so there is no rent, no Ejari and no facility cost.

Confidentiality

Shareholder and director details are not published on a public register, within the limits of applicable disclosure law.

International trade

Invoice and contract with customers outside the UAE without maintaining local operational substance.

Fast incorporation

With complete documents, incorporation is typically completed within a few working days.

Cost

Offshore costs are relatively stable because there is no office, no visa and no facility component. The main variables are the registrar you choose, the registered agent fee and whether you need certified or attested corporate documents for a bank or overseas authority.

What makes up the cost

  • Registrar incorporation fee
  • Registered agent and registered office fee
  • Memorandum and articles of association drafting
  • Certificates of incumbency or good standing if required
  • Annual renewal, payable each year to keep the company in good standing
Paperwork
  • Passport copies for every shareholder and director
  • Proof of address dated within the last three months
  • Curriculum vitae or professional profile for each shareholder
  • Bank reference letter for each shareholder
  • Three proposed company names in order of preference
  • A short description of the intended activity and source of funds
  • Corporate documents, attested, where a company is the shareholder
The process
01

Confirm offshore is the right fit

We check your objective against what offshore can legally do, so you do not end up with a structure that cannot support your plans.

02

Select the registrar

We compare JAFZA Offshore and RAK ICC against your intended use, especially property holding and banking expectations.

03

Name reservation

We clear your preferred company name with the registrar.

04

Due diligence file

We compile passports, proof of address, references and source of funds so the file passes agent and bank scrutiny first time.

05

Incorporation

The memorandum and articles are executed and the certificate of incorporation is issued.

06

Bank account support

We prepare a bank ready file and support the account opening process, which is the longest stage for offshore structures.

Why Layerz

We advise on the structure that fits your activity and customers rather than the package that is easiest to sell. You get a fixed quote with government fees itemised separately, a dedicated advisor from first call to licence, and the same team afterwards for visas, banking, accounting and renewals.

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Faq

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers on cost, ownership, documents and timelines.

Ask us anything Ask us anything
  • 1. Can an offshore company get UAE residence visas?
    No. Offshore companies cannot sponsor residence visas or issue an establishment card. If you need residency, a free zone or mainland company is the correct structure.
  • 2. Can an offshore company trade inside the UAE?
    No. Offshore companies are limited to activity outside the UAE, holding assets and holding shares. Trading with UAE customers requires a free zone or mainland licence.
  • 3. Can an offshore company own property in Dubai?
    A JAFZA Offshore company can own designated freehold property in Dubai, subject to developer and land department approval. Availability depends on the specific development.
  • 4. How long does offshore incorporation take?
    Incorporation is usually complete within 3 to 7 working days once due diligence documents are in order. Bank account opening takes considerably longer.
  • 5. Does an offshore company need to file accounts?
    Offshore companies are required to maintain accounting records and renew annually. Filing obligations depend on the registrar and your activity, and we confirm the position for your structure.
Keep reading

Dubai Free Zone Company Setup

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Dubai Mainland Company Formation

Trade anywhere in the UAE, with up to 100% foreign ownership.

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Enquire about your dubai offshore company setup

Tell us what you are planning and we will reply with the right structure and a fixed quote.