Offshore Company Formation — For Holding, Not Local Operations
An offshore company is the right structure if you’re not planning to operate physically inside the UAE at all — it’s designed for holding assets, owning property or shares in other companies, and international trading, at the lowest setup cost of the three jurisdictions.
What Offshore Companies Can and Can't Do
Can:
- Hold shares in other companies (UAE or international)
- Own property in designated areas
- Open a corporate bank account in the UAE
- Trade internationally (not within the UAE)
- Hold intellectual property
Cannot:
- Lease office space or operate a physical UAE presence
- Sponsor UAE residence visas
- Trade directly with the UAE local market
Common Uses
- Holding company structure for group businesses
- Asset and property ownership vehicle
- International trading company
- Intellectual property holding entity
What's Included in Our Offshore Setup Service
- Jurisdiction selection (RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore, or Ajman Offshore, depending on your goals)
- Document preparation and notarization guidance
- License and incorporation certificate issuance
- Registered agent arrangement (a legal requirement for offshore entities)
- Corporate bank account introduction
Frequently Asked Questions.
No. Offshore companies are not permitted to sponsor UAE residence visas because they have no physical office presence in the UAE, which is a requirement for visa sponsorship. Business owners needing a visa typically pair an offshore holding structure with a free zone or mainland operating company.
An offshore company cannot operate physically inside the UAE, sponsor visas, or lease office space — it exists purely for holding and international trading. A free zone company can lease office space, sponsor employee visas, and operate a real business inside the UAE, just with restrictions on mainland trading.
Yes, offshore companies can open corporate bank accounts in the UAE, which is one of the main reasons businesses choose this structure for holding funds or managing international transactions. Bank requirements vary, and Business Setup assists with document preparation for the account opening process.