A legal entity for international use
An offshore company in the UAE is a legal entity registered in a specific jurisdiction. It can hold assets, open bank accounts, own shares, and sign contracts, but it cannot operate inside the UAE.
OffshoreLive prices · VAT included · updated
Offshore Company Formation in the UAE
Offshore setup through Ajman, RAK ICC or JAFZA. Each jurisdiction serves a different purpose and a different budget. OMC matches you to the right one and manages the full process, from registration to bank account.
- Legal & compliant
- 3 jurisdictions available
- 3 to 7 working days
- 100% foreign ownership
Live price
1Type of setup
Ajman Offshore · Offshore company · 1 year
Offshore registration8,400.002,287
All-in totalVAT includedAED8,400.00USD2,287
No contact details needed to see a price
- 1,400+companies started
- 19+ yearsin business, since 2007
- 1,000+bank accounts opened
- 10+UAE banks, named officers
- 4licensed freezone partners
- 2 officesDubai and Irvine, California
Stop Googling. We'll tell you which offshore option works.
Offshore company formation in the UAE is one of the most misunderstood options in the market. People either assume it means something shady, or they think it works the same way as a free zone company. Neither is true.
An offshore company in the UAE is a legal entity registered under a specific jurisdiction, built for international business, asset holding, and wealth structuring. It cannot trade inside the UAE.
What it can do is give you a clean, compliant, low-cost corporate structure for managing international assets, holding shares in other businesses, or invoicing clients outside the UAE. Used correctly, it is a genuinely useful tool. Used incorrectly, it creates compliance problems that are expensive to unwind. We make sure clients understand exactly what they are getting before any application goes in.
Rules still apply
You need to maintain records, declare the real beneficial owner, and comply with AML regulations. This is not a hidden structure. The UAE follows global transparency standards, and anyone selling you secrecy is selling you a problem.
Used correctly, a useful tool
It gives you a clean, compliant, low-cost corporate structure for managing international assets, holding shares in other businesses, or invoicing clients outside the UAE.
Corporate tax applies now too.
If profits go above AED 375,000, the 9% rate may apply unless you qualify for an exemption. An offshore entity is not automatically outside it. We walk clients through this early, so there are no surprises later.
Who It's For
Who actually uses UAE offshore structures
Offshore setups attract a fairly specific group of business owners and investors. Not everyone needs one, and pushing it on the wrong client is something we actively avoid.
The structures tend to make sense for:
- International consultants or service businesses that invoice clients outside the UAE and want a cost-effective holding structure
- Investors holding shares in multiple businesses across different countries, who want a clean parent entity
- Property investors using the UAE as a holding location for assets held elsewhere
- Entrepreneurs who need a corporate bank account in a well-regulated jurisdiction without the cost of a full free zone or mainland setup
- Family offices and high-net-worth individuals structuring assets across borders
Jurisdiction Options
Offshore company formation in the UAE: three options
Three jurisdictions are available, each suited to different budgets and use cases.
Ajman Offshore
From AED8,400USD2,287VAT included
Ajman is usually the starting point for offshore setups, mainly because of the lower cost. It works well if you need a simple UAE holding company or a basic international structure. The one thing to keep in mind is that banking can be tighter than with the other options. It's the right pick when cost matters more than flexibility.
RAK ICC
From AED10,500USD2,859VAT included
RAK ICC sits in the middle, not the cheapest, not the most expensive. It is more widely accepted, particularly when it comes to banking and international use, and gives you fewer limitations when dealing with international partners or contracts. A good choice if you want something stable without going all the way to a premium setup.
JAFZA Offshore
From AED21,000USD5,718VAT included
JAFZA is the top-tier option. It costs more, but it comes with stronger credibility. If you are dealing with larger transactions, international banks, or structured investments, this is where things get easier. The name itself carries weight, and that matters more than people think. For serious structures, it is usually the option that avoids problems later.
Not sure which one fits your situation?
We'll walk you through it properly and tell you what actually makes sense, not just what sounds good on paper.
Key Difference
Offshore vs free zone: the key difference
This comparison comes up constantly, and it matters. Both structures offer 100% foreign ownership and operate outside UAE mainland regulations. The difference is in what they allow you to do inside the country.
Free zone company
Can operate from a UAE office, hire staff, apply for UAE residence visas, and trade within free zone perimeters. Costs more. More operational flexibility.
Offshore company
No local trading. Lower cost. Built for international holding, asset management, and cross-border contracts.
Some clients run both: an offshore entity as the holding company, with a free zone or mainland entity underneath it for UAE operations. OMC structures these arrangements regularly and can advise on whether a dual setup makes sense for your situation.
Why OMC
Why work with OMC for your offshore company setup
Offshore company setup looks simple until it isn't. The registration itself is straightforward. The complications come from bank account opening, beneficial ownership registration, tax positioning, and understanding what your offshore entity can and cannot legally do.
OMC handles the full process. We advise on jurisdiction selection before you pay anything, prepare the documentation package, coordinate with the relevant authority, and support the corporate bank account opening process. After setup, we offer ongoing compliance support including annual renewal, accounting, and FTA registration where required.
We do not recommend offshore structures to clients who would be better served by a free zone or mainland company. That kind of honest advice is what keeps clients coming back.
Questions? We've Got Answers.
Everything you need to know about offshore company formation in the UAE. Can't find your answer here? Reach out anytime.
Still have a question?
Speak to an OMC advisor directly. We respond within 2 to 4 hours on business days.
What is offshore company formation in UAE and who is it for?
An offshore company is a UAE-registered legal entity built for international business, holding assets, owning shares in other companies, and invoicing clients outside the UAE. It cannot trade inside the UAE. It suits international consultants, cross-border investors, property holding structures and family offices. If you need to sell to UAE customers, hire staff here, or get a residence visa, you need a free zone or mainland company instead, and we will tell you so rather than sell you the wrong structure.
Can I open a UAE bank account with an offshore company setup in Dubai?
Yes, but expect more scrutiny than a free zone or mainland company gets. Banks apply heavier due diligence to offshore entities, and the jurisdiction you register in materially affects your odds, a JAFZA entity is generally received better than a budget registration. Approval is never guaranteed by anyone, and you should be sceptical of a consultant who promises it. We prepare the application, brief you on what the compliance team will ask, and manage the process.
Does offshore Dubai company formation include corporate tax obligations?
It depends on the entity's activity and where it is managed from, not on the offshore label. UAE corporate tax applies at 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000, and having an offshore entity does not by itself place you outside that. Beneficial ownership registration and corporate tax registration with the FTA also apply, and in some cases VAT registration. Treat the tax position as something to be established for your specific structure. We check it and handle your corporate tax registration and filing. Anyone telling you an offshore company is automatically tax-free is not giving you advice you can rely on.
How long does offshore company formation in UAE take?
Registration itself is usually quick, typically a few working days once the documentation package is complete and approved. The realistic timeline is driven by two other things: getting your documents attested and in order, and opening the corporate bank account, which is almost always the longest step. We give you a timeline based on your specific jurisdiction and document position rather than a headline number.
See your exact price now. Order when you're ready.
Free zone, offshore or mainland. You get the number first, and a person when you want one.
OMC is a reliable and professional company in the UAE. Their team is knowledgeable, responsive, and always willing to help. The quality of their service exceeded my expectations, and the entire experience was smooth from start to finish. Highly recommended.