Overview
Offshore company formation
A UAE offshore company, most commonly registered through RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC), is a tax-efficient vehicle for international trading, holding assets, and owning shares in other companies — without the need for a physical office or residence visas.
Foreign ownership
100%
Market access
International
Office
Not required
Visas
Not applicable
Why Choose It
Why choose a UAE offshore company
100% foreign ownership with full profit repatriation.
No requirement for physical office space or visas.
A recognised vehicle for holding assets and shares.
Strong confidentiality and a straightforward structure.
The Process
How the setup works
A clear, advisor-led path from first call to a live company.
Jurisdiction & activities
We confirm the jurisdiction and the activities your offshore company may carry out.
Agent & name
We appoint a registered agent and reserve your company name.
Documents & KYC
We submit shareholder and director documents and complete due-diligence checks.
Incorporation
You receive your certificate of incorporation and corporate documents.
Bank account
We support opening a corporate or multi-currency bank account.
What it costs
Offshore setup is usually the most cost-efficient structure, as no physical office or residence visas are required. Fees vary by jurisdiction and registered agent, and we confirm the full total before any work begins.
Is a UAE offshore company right for you?
A UAE offshore company suits international traders, holding structures, and asset-protection needs that do not require a UAE presence. A Marhaban Group advisor will confirm the right fit for your activity, ownership, and visa needs on a free call before you commit to anything.
Business Legal Structures in the UAE
Like any other country, the UAE offers various legal corporate structures for businesses. Selecting the appropriate structure is crucial as it affects ownership rights, liability protection, and operational capabilities in the Emirates market.
Sole Proprietorship
This type of company is 100 percent owned by one person - meaning they control the company and the profits. All nationalities are allowed to set up sole proprietorship company, but only UAE and GCC nationals are allowed to set up a commercial or industrial company.
Civil Company
Civil company businesses in UAE can perform work in certain profession such as doctors, accountants, lawyers, etc. A civil company has to have at least 51 percent of the business owned by an Emirati national.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
A limited liability company can have between 2 and 50 shareholders, which means each shareholder is liable up to their share percentage. Profits and losses are also divided among the shareholders based on their holdings. Once again, 51 percent must be owned by a UAE national. There must be a company board of directors if there are more than seven partners with atleast three shareholders in the board.
Branch of a Foreign Company
A foreign company may establish a branch office in the UAE. In this instance, the company is 100% owned by the parent company. However, the raw materials must be imported through a domestic trading company.
Free Zone Company
Companies established in a Free Zone can have anywhere from two to five stakeholders. Although the incentives for establishing companies in the UAE Free Zones are plentiful, you will want to be aware that these companies cannot sell products to the UAE market directly. This might cause you to have different requirements to establish a business in a Free Zone.
Freelancers
It is surprising easy to establish a freelance company in the UAE. You will need to set up in a Free Zone, provide an application, CV, a bank reference and completed Registry Identification Code Form (which must be notarized). You will also be able to apply for a visa at this time.