Holding company
Hold shares in UAE or overseas subsidiaries under one clean parent, simplifying ownership, dividends and eventual exit.
Business Setup in UAE
Offshore company setup in the UAE
A tax-efficient, 100%-owned vehicle for holding assets, owning property and trading internationally — with strong privacy and no physical office or visas required. We incorporate through RAK ICC, JAFZA or Ajman as your registered agent, at a fixed fee agreed before we start.
100%
Foreign ownership
0%
Corporate & income tax
2–4
Working days to incorporate
No
Office or visas required
What it means
What is an offshore company?
A UAE offshore company (often called an International Business Company, or IBC) is a corporate vehicle registered to operate and hold assets outside the UAE. It is incorporated through a dedicated registrar — such as RAK ICC, JAFZA or Ajman — and exists primarily to hold, invest and trade internationally rather than to do business inside the UAE.
It is deliberately lightweight: 100% foreign ownership, no physical office, no staff or residence visas, and no minimum capital to deposit in most jurisdictions. There's no trade licence in the usual sense — an offshore company cannot rent premises in the UAE, employ people locally, or sell directly into the UAE market.
What it can do is powerful: hold shares in other companies, own real estate in approved areas, hold bank accounts and investments, own intellectual property, and invoice international clients — all under a confidential ownership structure with strong asset protection.
Think of it as a clean holding and international-trading wrapper, not an operating company. For UAE operations you'd pair it with, or choose instead, a free zone or mainland entity.
Jurisdictions
Where you can register — and who governs it
The UAE has three established offshore jurisdictions, each run by its own registrar. They differ in reputation, property rights and cost; here's who governs what.
| Jurisdiction | Registrar / authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAK ICCRAK International Corporate Centre | The most popular UAE offshore registry — fast, cost-effective and flexible, with a strong international reputation. Ideal for holding and trading. |
| Dubai (Jebel Ali) | JAFZA OffshoreJebel Ali Free Zone Authority | The only UAE offshore vehicle permitted to directly own property in designated Dubai freehold areas. Higher profile, requires a local registered agent. |
| Ajman | Ajman OffshoreAjman Free Zone Authority | The newest and most economical option, with quick incorporation. Suited to straightforward holding and international trade. |
An offshore company is incorporated through a licensed registered agent — you cannot file directly with the registrar. Stevva acts as your approved agent for all three.
Requirements
What you need to set up an offshore company
Offshore incorporation is light on paperwork — no office, no visas, no audited accounts in most cases. Here's what we'll need from you.
Company name approval
A compliant company name (usually ending in “Limited” or “Ltd”), checked and reserved with the registrar.
Registered agent
Offshore companies must be filed through a licensed registered agent. Stevva acts as your approved agent with all three registrars.
Shareholders & directors
Details of shareholders and at least one director (individuals or corporate), with the ownership split.
Memorandum & Articles
The company's M&A, prepared and signed — we draft these to fit your purpose (holding, trading or property).
Passport & proof of address
Passport copies for each shareholder/director, plus a recent utility bill or bank statement as proof of address.
Bank / professional reference
Some registrars and banks ask for a reference letter — we'll tell you exactly what your chosen jurisdiction needs.
Nominal share capital
A share capital is stated in the M&A but generally needs no physical deposit — there's no paid-up capital requirement.
Intended activity
A short description of purpose (holding, international trade, property) — offshore companies can't trade inside the UAE.
Use cases
What an offshore company is used for
An offshore company is a tool, not an operating business. These are the situations where it does its best work.
Asset protection
Ring-fence personal, family or business assets in a separate legal entity, insulated from operating-company risk.
Property ownership
Own real estate in designated Dubai freehold areas through a JAFZA offshore company — a recognised, structured way to hold property.
International trade
Invoice and contract with clients outside the UAE, route global trade, and bank in a stable, well-regarded jurisdiction.
IP & royalties
Hold trademarks, patents and other intellectual property centrally, and licence them to operating companies.
Estate & succession planning
Structure family wealth and inheritance with confidentiality and continuity across generations.
Offshore vs free zone
How an offshore company differs from a free zone company
Both give 100% foreign ownership and tax efficiency — but they exist for different reasons. A free zone company is built to operate; an offshore company is built to hold.
| Offshore company | Free zone company | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Holding, asset protection, international trade | Actively operating a business in/from the UAE |
| Trade inside the UAE | Not permitted | Within the zone + internationally (mainland via distributor) |
| Physical office | Not required (registered address only) | Required — flexi-desk, office or warehouse |
| Residence visas | None — cannot sponsor visas | Yes — visa quota based on office package |
| Trade licence | No operating licence — a certificate of incorporation | Full trade licence for named activities |
| Setup & running cost | Lower — no office or visa costs | Higher — office and visa costs apply |
| Property ownership | Yes (JAFZA, in designated Dubai areas) | Generally not the vehicle for this |
| Best when you want to… | Own, protect and hold assets | Run a real operating business with staff |
Not sure which fits? Many founders use both — an offshore holding company above a free zone operating company. Tell us your goal and we'll map the right structure.
How we help
Your offshore company, set up in five clear steps
As your registered agent, we handle the whole incorporation. You always know which step you're on — with a fixed fee agreed before we start.
1
Day 1
Consultation & jurisdiction
We confirm your purpose (holding, property, trade) and recommend the right registrar — then quote a fixed, all-inclusive fee.
2
Day 1
Name & KYC
We reserve your company name and collect KYC — passports, proof of address and any reference letters.
3
Day 1–2
Documents & M&A
We draft your Memorandum & Articles and the shareholder/director resolutions, ready for signature.
4
Day 2–4
Incorporation
We file with the registrar as your agent; the certificate of incorporation and company documents are issued.
5
Ongoing
Bank account & renewals
We support your corporate or multi-currency bank account, then handle the annual registered-agent renewal.
Get started
Get a fixed quote for your offshore company.
Tell us your purpose and preferred jurisdiction — or let us recommend one. We'll reply within one business day with the right structure and an all-inclusive price.
Thank you — we've got your details.
One of our setup advisors will be in touch within one business day.
One of our setup advisors will be in touch within one business day.