An offshore company is a business entity that is incorporated and registered in a country other than the one in which it primarily conducts its business operations. These companies are commonly established in offshore jurisdictions, which are countries that offer low taxes, minimal regulation, and strict privacy laws. Offshore companies are typically used for tax planning, asset protection, and international trade purposes.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), offshore companies are registered in one of the designated offshore jurisdictions such as the Jebel Ali Free Zone Offshore Company (JAFZA), Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre (RAKICC), and Ajman Offshore Company. These offshore jurisdictions offer various advantages such as tax exemptions, 100% foreign ownership, and ease of incorporation.

Offshore companies in the UAE are not permitted to conduct business activities within the UAE market, except for certain permitted activities such as holding assets, investing in securities, and owning real estate property. They are also not required to have a physical office or staff in the UAE.

Offshore companies in the UAE are subject to the laws and regulations of the offshore jurisdiction in which they are registered, which provides them with a high degree of confidentiality and privacy. However, they are also subject to international regulations and must comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) laws.

Did you know that you can register a company here in the UAE without obtaining a trading licence.  Yes.  That’s the Offshore company you can register. 

UAE is an ideal and lucrative business hub, attracting businesses from across the globe.  If you wish to settle down here and invest in the country, you can incorporate an offshore company in any of the Free Zones here in the UAE.  

Offshore companies are primarily used as Holding companies, which holds equity and profits of subsidiary trading and manufacturing companies in the Group.  This structure is also used by investors for holding real estate assets in the country and overseas.  Ideally used by Real estate developers to buy land in an offshore company and develop a project.

Why Offshore Company in the UAE?

·       Tax benefits.  The company can avail of all the current tax benefits the country has to offer.

·       Holding/Parent company: Used to hold assets in the form of companies, real estate, etc.

·       Low start up cost.  Easy and cost effective solution.

·       No need to obtain trade licence and other approvals/permissions.

·       100% tax free

·       100% repartiation of capital and profits.

·       Widely used across different business sectors.

·       Bank accounts can be opened for these companies in the UAE.

All you need to open an Offshore company:

·       Your Profile

·       Your Business Plan

·       Your Passports and Proof of address.

And you are ready to go.  We could register your Offshore company in JAFZA Free Zone, Ajman Free Zone or Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone and assist you with other formalities like a bank account in the bank of your choice.

We at VAS Consultants are comitted to provide you comprehensive services abd continued support from business setup to business succeess. Explore our range our services:

Corporate Bank Account

We provide professional assistance in opening corporate bank accounts and understand the importance of a reliable banking partner for business. We work closely with reputable banks in the UAE to ensure a smooth and efficient account opening experience. Our experts provide complete guidance on the required documentation, facilitate communication with the bank, and help businesses select the most suitable banking options to establish a solid financial foundation in the UAE.

PRO Services

Our Public Relations Officer (PRO) services assist with visa processing, work permits, residency visas, immigration documentation, and other government-related formalities. We handle all the paperwork, providing you peace of mind to focus on your core business operations.

Visa Services

We provide comprehensive visa assistance services to help streamline the process of obtaining visas for individuals and employees. We handle all the necessary documentation, all steps involved including medical and fingerprints, liaise with relevant authorities, and ensure a smooth and efficient visa application process.

Accounting & Bookeeping

At VAS Consultants, we take the hassle out of managing your finances with our expert accounting and bookkeeping services. Our team ensures your financial records are accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with UAE regulations. By handling everything from daily transactions to monthly reports, we give you the peace of mind to focus on growing your business. Trust VAS Consultants to keep your books in perfect order, helping you make informed decisions with confidence.

Tax Services

Navigating the complexities of corporate tax and VAT can be daunting, but VAS Consultants is here to simplify it for you. Our experienced professionals offer comprehensive tax services, ensuring your business complies with all UAE tax laws. We handle everything from tax registration and filing to advisory services, helping you optimize your tax strategy and avoid penalties. With VAS Consultants by your side, you can focus on your business while we take care of your tax obligations.

Website Development

We offer tailored website development services that enhance your online presence and drive business success. Our approach combines cutting-edge technology with creative design to deliver visually stunning and highly functional websites. Whether you’re looking for an engaging e-commerce platform, a professional corporate site, or an eye-catching portfolio, our end-to-end development service ensures your website not only stands out but also performs at its best.

A mainland company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a business entity that is registered and licensed to operate in the local market, within the jurisdiction of the UAE government. A mainland company is also known as an onshore company, as opposed to a free zone or offshore company. You can enjoy 100% expat ownership of a mainland company, however, there are several business activities that still require a local sponsor.

Setting up a mainland company offers several advantages, such as access to the local UAE market, ability to do business with government entities, and the opportunity to bid for government contracts. Additionally, mainland companies are not subject to certain limitations and restrictions that apply to free zone companies.

Mainland companies are allowed to conduct business activities within the UAE market and are not limited to operating within a specific free zone or offshore jurisdiction. They are also allowed to trade with local companies and individuals within the UAE without any restrictions. However, depending on the nature of the business, mainland companies may require approvals and licenses from various government departments before starting their operations.

What is a Mainland Licence:

A mainland company is a company licensed by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in any of the Emirate of the United Arab Emirates.  United Arab Emirates consists of seven emirates, viz.  Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.  Each of these Emirate has its own Department of Economic Developments (DEDs).  You have the advantage of obtaining a licence in any of these emirates.

Why would you obtain a Mainland Licence:

Amongst the many benefits of obtaining a mainland licence, the most important one is the ability to have 100% foreign ownership, which was recently introduced by the Government.

·       Choice of location of your office and no trade restrictions.

·       No minimum or fixed share capital required.

·       Advantage of access to government contracts and business.

·       Advantage to obtain and bid government projects.

·       100% ownership for a host of activities.

·       Preferential treatment for opening bank accounts in the UAE.

·       Easy processing of visa for employment 

·       Can trade domestically as well as import/export.

Name the activity, our Mainland licences cover them.

You have the benefit of choosing from over 2500 business activities.  Whether you are setting up a gym or a grocery store, or you need to start a major import-export company with offices across the globe, the same is covered under the Mainland licence.  You also have the advantage of bundling different related activities in the same licence, to avoid multiple trade licences.  Certain activities would need approval from the relevant authorities/government bodies.  We will make all arrangements to assist you to obtain these approvals too.  We would be with you from start until completion

Some of the popular activities covered are:

·      Trading

·      Commodity Trading

·      E-Commerce

·      Import/Export

·      Digital Marketing

·      Hospitality

·      Manufacturing

·      Event Management

·      Real Estate Brokerage and Agencies

·      Real Estate Development

·      Consultancies

·      Restaurants, Salons and the list goes on…

A free zone company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a business entity that is set up in a designated free zone area, which is a geographically defined and legally separate jurisdiction from the rest of the UAE. The free zone areas are specifically designed to attract foreign investors by offering various incentives such as tax exemptions, 100% foreign ownership, and simplified registration procedures.

Free zone companies are governed by the laws and regulations of the free zone authority in which they are established, which provides them with a high degree of autonomy and independence from the UAE government. Unlike mainland companies, free zone companies are not required to have a local sponsor or service agent, and they are allowed to have 100% foreign ownership.

Overview

Free Zones are Free Trade Zones spread in different locations across the length and breadth of the country.  Name an area or an emirate in the UAE and you will find a Free Trade Zone in that location.  There are Free Trade Zones which are specialised in certain businesses. E.g. Metals, Commodities, Media, Aviation, Internet, etc.  Each of these specialised businesses have a Free Trade Zone which specialises in providing facilties and services to their respective areas of specialisation. With over 50 plus Free Zones, the UAE has become a business hub for foreign investors. 

These Free Trade Zones offer a variety of advantages.  Prominent among them are:

·       100% Foreign Ownership. You retain full ownership.

·       Repatriation of Capital and Profits without any restrictions.

·       Name the activity, the same is covered under Free Zone regulations.

·       Professional set up.

·       Logistic facilities

·       Provision of offices, factories, warehouses, as per your requirements.

·       Provision of Flexi desk for startups- No requirement of physical office.

·       Flexibility to operate outside the Free Zone premises.

·       No restrictions on currencies.

·       Corporate and Personal Tax exemptions.

·       Specialised Free Zones for certain businesses.

·       Efficient labour and immigration requirements.

A one stop shop approach for all your legal and regulatory requirements, viz. Trade Licences, Approvals, Labour, Immigration, Taxation, etc.

And the list goes on and on…

Process:

Once you have identified the activity and the Free Zone you wish to establish your business in, you can leave the rest to us.

If the company is owned by a single shareholder/company, you can register your company as a FZE, i.e. Free Zone Establishment.

If the company has more than one individual shareholders/companies, you can register your company as a FZC or FZLLC i.e. Free Zone company or Free Zone Limited Liability Company.

If you wish to open a branch or subsidiary of your company based outside the UAE, rather than incorporating a new company, the same can be organised.

With over 50 plus Free Zones, with over 50 plus Free Zones, the UAE has become a business hub for foreign investors.  Some of the well-known Free Zones are:

IFZA – International Free Zone Authority

DMCC - Dubai Multi Commodities Center

JAFZA – Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority

SHAMS – Sharjah Media City Authotity

Rakez – Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone

And other 50+ economic zones each with their own lucrative benefits