Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Offshore Company Setup, Dubai, UAE
RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore or Ajman Offshore - a non-resident holding or trading structure with 100% foreign ownership, no physical office requirement, and a UAE corporate bank account, set up in as little as a few working days.
Free, no-obligation consultation on the right registrar for your structure.
A UAE offshore company is registered through RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore, or Ajman Offshore, and is built for international holding, trading and asset protection rather than local UAE trade. It gives 100% foreign ownership, no office requirement, and a UAE corporate bank account, but cannot trade inside the UAE or sponsor residence visas. Formation typically takes two to five working days and starts from around AED 3,250 in government fees.
Why It Matters
An offshore company can't trade inside the UAE, lease office space, or sponsor your residence visa - it's built for holding assets, international trading, and structuring, not running a local business. Picking offshore when you actually need a free zone or mainland licence (or the other way round) means starting over, so getting the structure right from the first conversation matters.
Choose Your Registrar
Each registrar suits a different priority - cost, property ownership, or global recognition.
The most cost-efficient and fastest of the three, popular with SMEs and international holding structures.
The standout choice for holding Dubai freehold property directly, with strong banking recognition.
The budget and speed option, well suited to simpler holding and asset-protection needs.
Tell us what the structure needs to do and we'll recommend the right registrar for it.
Know The Limits
Hold international investments, IP and shares in other companies, invoice clients outside the UAE, and open a UAE corporate bank account. Some registrars allow holding Dubai property in designated developments.
Trade inside the UAE, lease physical office space, or sponsor UAE residence visas for owners or staff. For that, you need a mainland or free zone trade licence instead.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Setup cost (RAK ICC) | From approx. AED 3,250 |
| Setup cost (JAFZA Offshore) | Typically higher than RAK ICC, from approx. AED 11,000 |
| Formation time | 2 to 5 working days, registrar-dependent |
| Registered agent | Mandatory for all UAE offshore registrars |
| Physical office | Not required |
| Residence visa sponsorship | Not available through an offshore company |
Our Story
Smart Zones® UAE has helped more than 45,000 clients worldwide set up, relocate and protect their interests across the UAE, backed by 13+ years of experience in company formation, residency, banking and family trust formation.
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The trust formation process was seamless from start to finish. Highly recommend Smart Zones UAE.
Professional, transparent, and fast. Exactly what I needed for my family's estate planning.
Clear guidance throughout and no hidden costs. Would use them again.
Responsive team and a genuinely smooth setup process from our first call to licence in hand.
Handled everything remotely for us with zero surprises on cost. Would use them again without hesitation.
Frequently Asked, and Ready When You Are
Send your details and our team will reply with the right registrar and a tailored quote.
Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment