Legal support for establishing UAE offshore companies, from choosing the appropriate structure and jurisdiction to corporate documents and registration requirements.
Confidential Consultation · EN, AR & RU
An offshore company can support international business, investment or holding objectives, but the structure needs to fit its intended purpose.
Our lawyers advise on the legal considerations involved in selecting and establishing an offshore company in the UAE.
Offshore company formation involves establishing a company under an offshore corporate jurisdiction for an appropriate business or holding purpose.
Our lawyers advise on structure, ownership, corporate documentation and the legal requirements involved in setting up the company.
The appropriate approach depends on the intended use, shareholders and the offshore jurisdiction selected.
Most offshore formations move through four key stages.
Identify how the offshore company is intended to be used and whether the structure is suitable.
Choose the offshore jurisdiction based on the proposed structure and business objectives.
Complete the shareholder, ownership and incorporation documents required for registration.
Submit the formation requirements and complete the steps needed to establish the offshore company.
Legal advice can help determine whether an offshore structure is suitable and how it should be established.
Founder & Managing Partner
Our corporate lawyers advise investors and businesses on structuring and establishing UAE offshore companies within the applicable legal framework.
More Than 25 Years of UAE Legal Experience
Corporate and commercial legal experience supporting businesses and investors in the UAE.
Structure Before Registration
We assess the intended purpose and ownership before recommending an offshore setup.
Corporate Documentation Support
Legal support with ownership documents, resolutions and incorporation requirements.
Wider Corporate Legal Support
Our team can continue advising on governance, contracts and corporate changes after formation.
In UAE Law Practices
Across All Emirates
Firm records
Certificate on request
A focused legal process based on the proposed purpose, ownership and jurisdiction.
Explain how you intend to use the company and who will own it.
We review whether offshore formation is suitable and identify the relevant jurisdiction.
We identify the corporate documents and information required for the proposed setup.
We assist with the legal documentation and formation steps through completion.
Legal guidance on choosing between offshore, mainland and free-zone company structures.
Tell us what you want the company to achieve. Our lawyers can assess the proposed structure and explain the legal steps involved.
Confidential Consultation · EN, AR & RU
Offshore structures may support international ownership, investment and holding objectives across different sectors, subject to the applicable jurisdiction and activity requirements.
Advice on offshore structures connected with permitted real estate ownership, investment or corporate holdings.
Legal support for offshore holding or investment structures connected with construction businesses and corporate groups.
Legal guidance on offshore structures connected with international professional or consultancy business interests.
Legal support for offshore structures connected with technology businesses, investments and intellectual property interests.
Advice on offshore structures used for permitted investment or ownership purposes involving healthcare businesses.
Support with offshore structures connected with international trading, distribution or investment activities where permitted.
Support with offshore structures involving international logistics, transport or related corporate investments.
Legal support for offshore companies established to hold shares, investments or other permitted corporate interests.
An offshore company is a corporate structure established under an offshore jurisdiction for permitted international, holding or investment purposes.
The appropriate jurisdiction depends on the company’s intended purpose, ownership and required structure. JAFZA and RAK ICC have separate regulations and registration procedures.
For JAFZA offshore formation, registration is processed through an approved registered agent. RAK ICC formation also begins through a registered agent.
The permitted activities depend on the relevant offshore framework. For example, JAFZA offshore companies are subject to specific restrictions on activities and are not the same as ordinarily licensed mainland or free-zone operating companies.
Foreign individuals and corporate entities can generally participate as shareholders, subject to the rules, KYC requirements and documentation of the selected jurisdiction.
Requirements vary, but they can include shareholder and director identification, incorporation documents, ownership information and corporate documents where a shareholder is another company. JAFZA publishes separate requirements for individual and corporate applicants.
An incorporated company may apply to a bank, but account opening is a separate process and is subject to the bank’s own requirements and approval. RAK ICC expressly notes that incorporation does not itself complete the banking process.
Yes. Requirements can include maintaining corporate records, renewals and ownership information. UAE beneficial ownership rules may also require applicable legal persons to maintain accurate beneficial-owner information.
Tell us the matter type and your enquiry goes straight to the right lawyer.
+971 50 441 8952
+971 50 441 8952
Office 1305, Fairmont Hotel Sheikh Zayed Road, World Trade Center, Dubai
Confidential Consultation · EN, AR & RU · Reply within one business day.
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