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UAE offshore company for holding and structure

Own shares, assets, IP, or property interests through a UAE offshore company while operating companies handle trading and hiring.

Offshore registrarsRAK ICC & JAFZA offshore context
Registered agentRecords & renewals context
BanksAccount options for offshore entities

Restrictions before you form one

Offshore is useful for holding structures, but it has hard operating limits.

Compare UAE offshore registers

Each register serves a different holding and ownership use case. Review the fit before you choose.

Best for
Dubai freehold ownership and a Dubai-linked holding structure.
UAE operating activity
Used as a holding vehicle rather than the company that conducts UAE operations.
UAE visas and office
No visa quota or operating-office function.
Property position
Recognised by Dubai Land Department for direct Dubai freehold ownership.
Group / holding use
Can hold shares, assets and IP within a wider group structure.
Banking
Depends more on the underlying structure and business substance than the register alone.
Estate and succession
Can sit within a broader succession-planning structure.

How offshore setup runs

Four to six weeks end to end — register choice, KYC, documents, and banking shape the timeline.

  1. 01Choose the structureConfirm offshore is the right fit.
  2. 02Choose the registerPick the register that matches the use case.
  3. 03Clear the ownership profileReview shareholders, UBOs, and KYC.
  4. 04Issue the offshore companyFile and receive the company documents.
  5. 05Prepare the supporting structurePut resolutions and ownership documents in place.
  6. 06Open the bank accountStart banking once the documents are ready.

How much does an offshore setup cost?

AED8,00020,000

Offshore is the leanest UAE structure. Cost depends on the register, the shareholders, and whether you need banking or nominee services.

What’s included

  • Incorporation certificate
  • Registered agent
  • Standard M&AA
  • Share certificates

Price varies by

  • Register
  • Shareholder count
  • Bank account intro
  • Nominee services
Get a tailored estimate →

Founders and groups who pick offshore.

Your setup, in your pocket

Every filing, deadline, and document — on iOS and Android. The same evidence you see in the console, now portable.

Banks we can help you approach.

Bank suitability depends on your activity, ownership, documents and transaction profile.

See our banking partners

Is an offshore company the right vehicle for you?

Tell us what the vehicle will hold. We confirm whether offshore is the right wrapper.

  • A dedicated specialist reviews your case.
  • Fixed scope in writing before any work begins.
  • Avg reply 3 minutes on WhatsApp, 24 × 7.

Request a consultation

No obligation. We tell you if it is not the right route.

What do you need help with?

Compare the other routes

Talk to a UAE specialist

What clients say

Frequently asked

What is a UAE offshore company?
An offshore company is generally used to hold assets, investments, shares, intellectual property, or international transactions rather than as a standard UAE operating business. The appropriate jurisdiction and permitted use depend on the company’s purpose, ownership, tax position, and banking requirements.
Can an offshore company trade inside the UAE?
An offshore entity is not normally the right vehicle for ordinary onshore UAE trading or employing a UAE workforce. Permitted activity depends on the jurisdiction and legal framework. If the business will operate locally, a mainland or free-zone structure may be more appropriate.
Can an offshore company sponsor UAE residence visas?
Offshore structures do not usually function like operating mainland or free-zone companies for visa sponsorship. Available residence options depend on the specific entity, the person’s circumstances, and current immigration rules. We confirm the appropriate route before recommending an offshore structure.
Can an offshore company open a UAE bank account?
It can apply, but approval is entirely bank-led. Offshore ownership, source of funds, business purpose, transaction profile, supporting documents, and the company’s link to the UAE will all be relevant to the bank’s assessment. An offshore entity should not be formed on the assumption that banking is automatic.
Is an offshore company tax-free?
Tax treatment depends on the entity’s jurisdiction, management and control, ownership, assets, income, tax residence, and the laws relevant to the owners and transactions. “Offshore” is not a substitute for tax analysis. Obtain appropriate tax advice before relying on a structure.
Can one company trade and hold assets or subsidiaries?
Sometimes, but the right answer depends on the commercial and ownership model. An operating company may sell, invoice, employ people, and deliver services. A separate holding company may be appropriate where the business needs to own IP, investments, assets, or subsidiaries separately from operating risk. We assess both functions before recommending one entity or a multi-entity structure.
When should I use a holding company?
A holding company may be appropriate where the primary purpose is to own shares, IP, investments, property interests, or subsidiaries rather than sell, invoice, hire, or deliver day-to-day services. The right holding route depends on asset location, ownership, governance, banking, tax, succession, and future investment plans.
Can a holding company employ people or invoice clients?
It may be technically possible in some structures, but that does not make it the right operating model. If the entity will trade, employ people, contract with customers, or deliver services, it may require a different licence, substance, registrations, or a separate operating company. We assess the actual function before recommending the structure.
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Structuring, not trading?