Offshore licence.
A holding structure, not a trading one.

An International Business Company for holding assets, shares and intellectual property. No visas, no UAE trading rights and no physical office. JAFZA Offshore may hold Dubai freehold property.

Foreign ownership: 100%
Office: Not required
Visa cap: None issued
Typical first year: AED 6,500 to 13,000

Calculate my cost Talk to an advisor

Where you can register

Indicative first-year licence fees. The right choice depends on your activity far more than on the headline price.

RAK ICC

from AED 6,500

Ras Al Khaimah

An offshore holding vehicle for assets and IP. No visas and no UAE trading permission.

Asset holding
Confidential
No office needed

JAFZA Offshore

from AED 8,500

Dubai

The only offshore structure permitted to hold Dubai freehold property directly.

Can hold Dubai property
Dubai registry
Holding company

How the filing runs

1
Appoint a registered agent
Offshore registries only accept filings through a licensed agent. You cannot file directly.
2
Reserve the name
The registry checks the name against existing entities and restricted words.
3
Prepare and attest documents
Passport copies, proof of address and, for corporate shareholders, attested company documents.
4
File the incorporation
Memorandum and articles are submitted with the shareholder and director register.
5
Receive the certificate
Incorporation certificate and share certificates issue, usually inside a week.

What catches people out

No residence visas are issued. An offshore company cannot sponsor anyone.
You cannot trade inside the UAE or hold a UAE trade licence with this structure.
Banks apply heavier scrutiny to offshore entities. Expect a longer account opening.
Only JAFZA Offshore may hold Dubai freehold property directly.