What Is Offshore Company Formation in Dubai?
Establishing an offshore company setup in Dubai enables entrepreneurs, investors and businesses to register a legal business entity outside the UAE mainland and Free Zones. Offshore entities are typically used for holding assets, tax effectiveness, confidentiality, and international business expansion. In Dubai, offshore companies are formed and registered through specific jurisdictions; for example, JAFZA Offshore and RAK ICC. Registering offshore provides the ultimate control with full foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax and global presence. At DubaiSetupNow, we assist our clients in registering their offshore companies with complete confidentiality, limited liability with legal asset protection, nominee services and international banking, which makes us the trusted partner for a simple and compliant set up of a Dubai offshore company.
Why Choose Dubai for Offshore Company Registration?
Dubai is one of the most trusted jurisdictions in the world for offshore companies due to its stability, international reputation, and investor-friendly rules. When you set up an offshore company in Dubai, you benefit from:
Zero Corporate & Personal Tax
Zero Corporate & Personal Tax
100% Foreign Ownership
100% Foreign Ownership
Full Repatriation of Capital & Profits
Full Repatriation of Capital & Profits
Absolute Confidentiality
Absolute Confidentiality
Simple Offshore Bank Account Setup
Simple Offshore Bank Account Setup
Minimal Annual Ongoing Costs
Minimal Annual Ongoing Costs
Find Out If Offshore Is the Smart Choice
Who Should Consider Offshore Company Setup in Dubai?
Explore Whether Offshore Company Formation in Dubai Is the Smart Choice for Tax Efficiency, Privacy, and International Expansion
The offshore company formation process to establish an offshore company in Dubai is ideal for entrepreneurs and established business owners who want to reduce their international tax exposure. Offshore company structures in Dubai have 0% corporate tax and 0% personal income tax, providing an effective legal mechanism for vast corporate operations while reducing any unnecessary tax liabilities. Offshore company structures also enable cross-border transactions to be efficiently, legally as well as compliance friendly, and scalable, which are key considerations when considering long-term planning.
For e-commerce brands and digital service providers to customers everywhere, Dubai offshore companies are uniquely flexible. Whether you operate a dropshipping store, a SaaS e-commerce platform, or a digital agency, you will benefit from seamless client invoicing, direct international payments, and a multi-currency banking environment. Dubai offshore companies will also allow you to protect your brand, digital IP protections, and payment gateway operation in a favourable jurisdiction.
For individuals with high-value international investments, be it in real estate, intellectual properties with international owners, or investment portfolios, offshore companies in Dubai provide greater certainty over the legality of asset protection. Holding assets under an offshore entity benefits will allow for more estate planning flexibility, limit risk within the institution holding assets and protect wealth from unforeseen liabilities or political changes, etc.
For international investors and commodity traders, offshore company formation allows them to work with complete operational control while still being able to access international markets for their products. An offshore entity allows for more fluidity with global trading, serving banking needs, and creating cross border mergers or holding structures. A good offshore company structure remains an effective option for investors looking to expand into a new market while providing their finances with a streamlined and private incorporation effort.
There is a high level of privacy offered by offshore company structures in Dubai for an enterprise or private citizens seeking full privacy regarding their financial affairs. These established entities will still offer anonymity over sensitive financial details while remaining completely legal and compliant. Dubai company law does not require any public disclosures or need for regular updates of shareholder information. The use of nominee services will further enhance privacy. If you use a Dubai offshore solution, your beneficial ownership details can be kept confidential while providing all legal disclosures and obligations to the relevant authorities.
A Guide to Top Offshore Business Locations in the UAE
What Are the Best Offshore Jurisdictions in the UAE?
Dubai offers two primary offshore jurisdictions—both fully legal and internationally compliant:
A Guide to Top Offshore Business Locations in the UAE
JAFZA Offshore is regarded as the foremost offshore company establishment opportunity of Dubai. This is particularly because it is the singular offshore jurisdiction allowing foreign investors to own property in particular zones in Dubai, such as Palm Jumeirah for example and Downtown. In JAFZA Offshore, you have a supportive and transparent legal framework, and the offshore companies formed in JAFZA are enjoyed by an extremely reputable and reliable international branding, solid and security assurance specifically for asset protection, real estate ownership, and cross border trade. The robust regulatory framework in JAFZA offshore simplifies the additional work for investors operating in the international sphere under Dubai's jurisdiction
RAK ICC (Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre)
RAK ICC is an offshore jurisdiction in the UAE characterized as extremely flexible and inexpensive, while at the same time requires little in the way of startup financing. RAK ICC has a virtually uncomplicated structure, making it reasonable for people setting up holding companies, international trade, and/or intellectual property. RAK ICC allows nominee directors and shareholders, which keeps confidentiality and privacy for any beneficial owners. RAK ICC allows for a hassle free redomiciliation, and permits even merging with foreign entities, making it an incredibly attractive jurisdiction for any global investor who is looking to structure or move their company, and wants some reputable offshore co.
What Licenses and Activities Can a Dubai Offshore Company Perform?
Offshore companies in Dubai cannot trade within the UAE but can conduct business internationally. They are perfect for:
- International Trading
- Holding Shares in UAE or Global Companies
- Owning Intellectual Property, Trademarks & Patents
- Owning Real Estate (JAFZA Only)
- Managing Investments & Portfolios
- Acting as a Holding or Special Purpose Vehicle
How Long Does Offshore Company Registration Take?
With DubaiSetupNow, the entire registration process typically takes 3 to 5 working days, depending on documentation and jurisdiction. We streamline the process for:
- Trade name reservation
- Document notarization and legal translations
- Filing with authorities (RAK ICC / JAFZA)
- Offshore company bank account setup
- Optional nominee director/shareholder services
How Do We Help You Setup a Dubai Offshore Company?
DubaiSetupNow provides complete offshore company formation services to entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses around the world that value confidentiality, efficiency, and control. Our services start with company name reservation and preparation and submission of all the legal documents required by the authorities (such as JAFZA Offshore and RAK ICC). We facilitate offshore bank account opening with our banking partners that enable secure access to a multi-currency account. For additional privacy, we also offer nominee directors, shareholders, and registered agents to comply with legal obligations, including our offshore office address. We also provide VAT advisory, Economic Substance Regulation (ESR) compliance, and company maintenance and renewals with ongoing annual reporting and filings, so DubaiSetupNow becomes a trusted offshore setup partner for the long term.
What Documents Are Required to Register an Offshore Company?
We make it easy. The standard requirements for offshore company incorporation in Dubai include:
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
- CV or professional profile
- Business activity plan (if required)
- Notarized Board Resolution (for corporate shareholders)
- Optional: Nominee service instructions (for anonymity)
We handle all documentation, translations, and submission to ensure full compliance.
Is Dubai Offshore Company Setup Compliant with International Standards?
Absolutely. Dubai offshore jurisdictions like RAK ICC and JAFZA Offshore follow global regulations for:
Beneficial Ownership Disclosure
To comply with the UAE Cabinet Decision No. 58 of 2020 and ensure that they provide accurate and current disclosure of beneficial ownership to authorities, Dubai’s offshore jurisdiction companies, including JAFZA Offshore and RAK ICC, must maintain an internal record of the Ultimate Beneficial Owners (“UBOs”) of their businesses. While this record remains internal to the company and is not disclosed publicly, the UBO is not anonymous, and the purpose of the law is to increase transparency while maintaining anonymity.
Economic Substance Regulations
Offshore companies in Dubai engaged in specific activities referred to as “relevant activities” (banking, insurance, holding company, IP holding, etc.) are subject to the UAE’s Economic Substance Regulations (“ESR”). The ESR requires a company or entity engaged in Global OSS or “offshore activities” to have economic substance in the UAE in the form of local management, locally employed individuals, and operating from the UAE. As a result of failing to comply, noncompliance penalties are established by law, making it imperative that offshore companies review their ESR obligations annually.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Guidelines
To retain the UAE’s reputation as one of the most secure and transparent jurisdictions for doing business, offshore companies are expected to comply with stricter Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) laws. This includes maintaining accurate records, due diligence on clients and partners, and timely suspicion transaction reporting. Dubai offshore company formation with full AML compliance builds trust with international banks and investors and sidesteps regulatory issues.
OECD CRS Compliance
Dubai offshore companies must also comply with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Common Reporting Standard (CRS). The CRS calls for financial account information to be exchanged automatically between jurisdictions to limit tax evasion. Offshore company owners who have international banks will have to disclose certain financial data to their local authorities who may then pass it on to the appropriate tax jurisdictions. Making sure you are compliant with the CRS means your offshore company structure is legal and respected around the globe. We ensure all your filings and documentation are accurate and fully compliant.
What Are the Annual Maintenance Requirements?
Every Dubai offshore company must meet yearly compliance including:
- License Renewal
- Registered Agent Fees
- Optional Audit (depending on structure)
- Economic Substance Reporting (if applicable)
- Bank Account Renewal (KYC updates)
We provide full annual compliance management and reminders to keep you worry-free.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
An offshore company is mainly for international activities, asset holding and tax planning in Dubai. It cannot do business in the UAE. A Free Zone company allows for a local office, and trade either in the Free Zone or internationally. Offshore set-ups are more privacy focused, and Free Zones are for active operational business models.
Yes, but only under JAFZA Offshore jurisdiction, and only in designated zones of property approved by Dubai Land Department (e.g. Palm Jumeirah, Downtown). RAK ICC companies do not have this allowance.
Yes. Offshore companies can achieve multi-currency corporate bank accounts with international and major UAE banks. We will guide you through the documentation, introductions, and KYC/AML policies to ensure you can obtain banking facilities as quickly as possible.
Yes. Dubai offshore companies can use nominee directors and shareholders, and the details of the beneficial ownership are kept private (not publicly accessible, only to UAE regulators). You can, therefore, achieve a high level of privacy as long as you remain compliant.
No, living in the UAE is not a requirement of forming or operating a Dubai offshore company, as this can be managed and developed remotely. There is no requirement for physical presence and all formation can be achieved online via DubaiSetupNow
Offshores in Dubai pay 0% corporate tax, 0% personal income tax, and no capital gains tax. It is perfect for global businesses, asset holders, or investors that want to legally optimize their tax.
Yes, there are e-commerce brands, SaaS businesses and consultants from abroad using offshore companies in Dubai for invoicing and banking - brand protection will also apply, more so with local operations meaning you would require a Free Zone or mainland license.
Yes. Dubai offshore jurisdictions comply with Economic Substance Regulations, AML/CTF laws, OECD CRS and UBO regulations. Your structure will be legally recognised globally and compliant.
Generally, there is no minimum capital requirement for Dubai offshore companies. The costs of set up in Dubai with RAK ICC in particular are low, an appealing solution for start-ups, protecting assets and international trade.
Opening in Dubai?
Privacy. Ownership. Global Flexibility.
With DubaiSetupNow, your offshore company formation is seamless, secure, and fully compliant—from name reservation and legal setup to bank account opening, nominee services, and annual maintenance.
Our experienced consultants ensure you gain the maximum tax advantage, enjoy 100% ownership, and protect your assets globally—all while staying compliant with international standards.
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