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Offshore company formation in the UAE

A UAE offshore company is registered with an offshore registry, such as Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) Offshore or RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC), and receives a certificate of incorporation rather than a trade license. We explain clearly what it can and can't do, then prepare your documents and coordinate registration through the route the registry requires.

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Overview

What a UAE offshore company is, and isn't

An offshore company is a UAE-registered entity designed for activity outside the UAE. It is incorporated by an offshore registry rather than licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or a free zone authority, so it receives a certificate of incorporation instead of a trade license. That one difference shapes everything the company can and can't do.

Because there is no trade license, an offshore company cannot do business with customers inside the UAE, and it does not give its owners or staff UAE residence visas. Owners typically use one to hold shares in other companies, to own assets or to work with clients abroad, while any UAE-facing trading runs through a separate mainland or free zone company.

Offshore rules differ between registries and have been updated over the years. The core points above have applied for some time, but details such as permitted activities, director and secretary requirements, renewals and property ownership are set by each registry. We confirm the current rules with the registry you choose before you apply, rather than relying on older summaries.

Who it's for

Who it's for

  • 01

    Holding structures

    Owners who want a UAE entity to hold shares in other companies, inside or outside the UAE, where the registry's rules allow.

  • 02

    International business

    Businesses that work with clients outside the UAE and don't need UAE customers, staff or premises.

  • 03

    Asset ownership

    Investors who prefer to hold intellectual property or other assets through a separate company.

  • 04

    Not the right fit

    If you need to trade in the UAE or live here on a company visa, a mainland or free zone company is the better route.

Our part

What we do, and what we don't

Clear boundaries, so you know exactly what you're paying for and who decides each step.

Included

  • An honest check of whether offshore fits your plans, or whether mainland or free zone suits you better
  • A comparison of offshore registries for your purpose
  • Preparation and typing of application forms and constitutional documents for your review
  • Document checks, plus translation and attestation guidance for shareholders
  • Coordination with the registry, or the agent it requires, until incorporation
  • Help assembling the document pack banks usually ask offshore companies for

Not included

  • We don't incorporate offshore companies ourselves; the registry does.
  • We can't arrange UAE trading or residence visas through an offshore company.
  • We don't give tax, legal or asset-protection advice; please consult a licensed adviser for that.
  • We don't decide bank applications; each bank applies its own policy.
Documents

Documents you'll need

  • Passport copies for all shareholders, directors and the company secretary
  • Proof of residential address for each shareholder and director
  • A short description of the company's purpose and expected activity
  • Proposed company name options
  • Any due diligence documents the registry requests, such as a bank reference letter
  • For corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, constitutional documents and a board resolution, attested for UAE use

Each registry sets its own document list and due diligence checks; we confirm it before you apply.

Fees and timing

Two fees, shown separately

  • Government fees, paid at cost

    Set by the offshore registry and paid at cost; we confirm the exact amount before you pay.

  • Global Sky PRO service fee

    Quoted in writing before we start, so you know the full cost up front.

  • Timing

    Timing depends on the registry, its due diligence checks and how quickly shareholder documents are ready and attested. After you pick a registry, we set out the stages and the points where its review can take longer.

Process

How it works, step by step

Each step shows who does what, so you always know where things stand.

  • You
  • Global Sky PRO
  • Authority

  1. Step 1: Explain your purpose

    You

    Tell us what the company will hold or do, where your clients are and whether you also need UAE trading or visas.

  2. Step 2: Check fit and compare registries

    Global Sky PRO

    We confirm offshore is the right structure, compare registries for your purpose and set out each one's published fees at cost.

  3. Step 3: Approve the structure and send documents

    You

    Choose the registry, confirm who will be shareholders and directors, sign off our service quote and send the shareholder documents we list for you.

  4. Step 4: Prepare the application file

    Global Sky PRO

    We type the forms and constitutional documents, check every name and date for consistency and coordinate submission through the registry's required route.

  5. Step 5: Registry review and incorporation

    Authority

    The offshore registry runs its due diligence and, if satisfied, incorporates the company and issues the certificate of incorporation.

  6. Step 6: Hand-over and next steps

    Global Sky PRO

    We hand over your corporate documents, help you prepare a bank document pack and note the renewal dates the registry sets.

Good to know

Details that save time

What an offshore company can be used for

Under JAFZA's published offshore rules, an offshore company can carry on business outside the UAE and act as a holding company, including holding shares in UAE mainland and free zone companies. Other registries have their own lists, so we check what your chosen registry allows.

  • Holding shares in other companies
  • Owning intellectual property or other investments
  • Working with clients and suppliers outside the UAE
  • Applying for a bank account, subject to the bank's own policy
  • Holding property in designated Dubai areas, where the registry and Dubai Land Department (DLD) rules allow

Offshore, free zone or mainland: a quick test

Ask yourself three questions. Will you sell to customers in the UAE? Do you or your staff need UAE residence visas? Do you need an office or shop here? If the answer to any of these is yes, an offshore company alone won't work, and a mainland or free zone company is the route. If the company will only hold shares or assets, or deal with clients abroad, offshore may be the simplest fit.

Common misunderstandings

Offshore companies are often sold as a shortcut. They aren't, and it helps to be clear before you register one.

  • An offshore company is not a free zone license and cannot trade in the UAE
  • It does not come with residence visas for owners or staff
  • A bank account is never automatic; the bank decides
  • The company must be renewed with the registry to stay in good standing
FAQs

Offshore company formation: your questions

Short answers here. Your situation may differ, so ask us before you decide.

Still have a question?

An adviser replies during opening hours, Mon–Sat 10:00–21:00.

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What is an offshore company in the UAE?

It is a company registered with a UAE offshore registry, such as JAFZA Offshore or RAK ICC, for activity outside the UAE. It receives a certificate of incorporation rather than a trade license, so it cannot trade inside the UAE or sponsor residence visas. Owners often use one to hold shares, investments or other assets.

Can an offshore company trade inside the UAE?

No. An offshore company has no trade license, so it cannot do business with customers in the UAE. If you need UAE customers, you will need a mainland company licensed by DET or a free zone company. Depending on the registry's rules, your offshore company may be able to own shares in that company.

Does an offshore company give me a residence visa?

No. Offshore registration does not come with UAE residence visas for owners, directors or staff. If you want to live in the UAE through your business, you need a mainland or free zone company, and residence decisions are made by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA Dubai).

Where are UAE offshore companies registered?

With an offshore registry, not with DET or a free zone authority. Well-known examples are JAFZA Offshore in Dubai and RAK ICC in Ras Al Khaimah. Each registry sets its own rules on activities, directors, documents and renewals, so we compare them for your purpose and confirm the current requirements before you apply.

Can an offshore company open a UAE bank account?

It can apply, but the bank decides. Banks apply their own policies and due diligence to offshore companies, and approval is never automatic. We help you prepare a clear document pack, including the certificate of incorporation, constitutional documents, shareholder details and a description of the business, so the bank has what it needs to assess you.

Can an offshore company own property in Dubai?

In some cases. Under JAFZA's published offshore rules, an offshore company may acquire freehold property in designated areas of Dubai, subject to the registry's approval and Dubai Land Department policy. Rules differ by registry and can change, so we confirm the current position with the registry and DLD before you commit to a purchase.

How do I register a JAFZA offshore company?

You register through a JAFZA registered agent, because JAFZA processes offshore registrations only through its registered agents on the Dubai Trade portal. The agent files the application, the memorandum and articles of association, its letter of appointment and passport copies of the directors and secretary. At the time of writing, JAFZA lists a registration fee of AED 10,000, paid at cost, and 5 to 7 working days for processing.

Source: JAFZA: new offshore company

Who can own a JAFZA offshore company?

A JAFZA offshore company needs at least one shareholder, with no maximum, and shareholders can be individuals, companies or a mix of both. The company also needs directors and a company secretary, whose passport copies go in with the application. Individual founders provide a CV and specimen signature, while corporate shareholders provide notarised, UAE embassy-attested incorporation documents, a good standing certificate and a board resolution.

Source: JAFZA: how to set up an offshore company

Is a JAFZA offshore company the same as a JAFZA free zone company?

No. A JAFZA offshore company receives a certificate of incorporation rather than a business license, acts through a registered agent and cannot do business with people in the UAE. A JAFZA free zone company, such as a Free Zone Establishment (FZE), is an operating company with a business license that works from the zone. Offshore suits holding and international activity; a free zone company suits businesses that need premises and staff here.

Source: JAFZA: how to set up an offshore company

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Licenses are issued by the relevant authority (DET for Dubai mainland, or the chosen free zone authority). Global Sky PRO prepares and submits your application. Last reviewed 31 October 2026 by the Global Sky PRO team.

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