UAE offshore company comparison in 2023

Jebel Ali offshore companyRAK offshore companyAjman
offshore company
Summary at a GlanceUS$US$US$
Total company set up costsUS$17,400US$15,401US$12,670
Subsequent annual costsUS$7,550US$5,551US$3,200
Type of companyLLCLLCLLC
How long to set the company up?2 weeks2 weeks2 weeks
How long to open company bank account?5 weeks5 weeks5 weeks
Issued share capital requiredUS$1US$1US$1
Any restriction on activities?YesNoNo
Corporate bank account in the UAE?YesYesYes
Tenancy agreement required before incorporation?NoNoNo
Do you visit the country for company incorporation?NoNoNo
100% foreign ownership allowedYesYesYes
Resident director or shareholder required?NoNoNo
Can conduct business within the UAE?NoNoNo
Legal registered office needed?YesYesYes
Can rent office premisesNoNoNo
Can the entity hire expatriate staff?NoNoNo
Bearer shares allowed?NoYesNo
Documents to be legalized by ClientYesNoYes
Can invest in UAE real estateNoNoYes
Legal considerations
Minimum number of directors211
Corporate director allowed?NoYesYes
Minimum number of shareholders111
Company secretary needed?YesNoYes
Resident company secretary?NoNoYes
Corporate company secretary allowed?NoYesYes
Individual shareholders allowedYesYesYes
Corporate shareholders allowedYesYesYes
Public register of shareholders and directorsNoNoNo
Tax and accounting considerations
Annual accounting and tax obligationsNoNoNo
Corporate tax payable (if non-resident)NoNoNo
Accounting records to be kept?YesYesYes
Statutory audit requiredYesNoYes
Annual tax return to be submittedNoNoYes
Can access double tax treatiesNoNoNo
Can apply for immigration visasNoNoNo
Estimated of total engagement costs in Year 1US$17,400US$26,750US$12,670
Draft InvoiceView invoice PDFView invoice PDFView invoice PDF

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