UAE Offshore Jurisdictions:
RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore and Ajman Compared
The UAE has three offshore registries: RAK ICC in Ras Al Khaimah, JAFZA Offshore in Dubai and the Ajman Free Zone. All three allow 100% foreign ownership and require a registered agent, and none lets the company trade inside the UAE. Maven& compares them against your goals, banking plan and budget before you choose.
- Three registries compared for your goals
- Banking plan checked first
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- Offshore jurisdictions partner
Registries compared
RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore and Ajman.
UAE trading rights
No offshore company can trade inside the UAE.
Team from start to launch
One consultant handles your application, approvals, visas and bank account introductions.
- Which registry
Which UAE offshore registry fits your goal
Choose RAK ICC if
Your goal is a holding, IP or special purpose vehicle, with a lower-cost registry.
Choose JAFZA Offshore if
You want a Dubai-based registry with an established reputation and possible conversion to a free zone company.
Choose Ajman if
Cost is your priority and a lower-profile registry is acceptable.
Check banking first
Banks treat offshore structures cautiously, so confirm your banking plan before choosing.
What do all three offshore registries have in common?
The registries differ in cost and reputation, but the core rules are shared.
- No UAE trading: none allows trading with UAE customers.
- No visas: none lets the company sponsor UAE residence visas.
- Registered agent: RAK ICC and JAFZA Offshore require a licensed registered agent.
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership is permitted.
- Tax registration: offshore companies may still need to register for UAE corporate tax.
- Registry comparison
RAK ICC vs JAFZA Offshore vs Ajman
These are the main differences. Details and fees change, so we confirm them for your case.
| Feature | RAK ICC | JAFZA Offshore | Ajman Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Ras Al Khaimah | Jebel Ali, Dubai | Ajman |
| Regulator | RAK International Corporate Centre | Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority | Ajman Free Zone Authority |
| Trading inside the UAE | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Residence visas | Cannot sponsor | Cannot sponsor | Cannot sponsor |
| Best known for | Holding, IP and low-cost structures | Dubai-based registry, established since 2003 | Lower-cost, newer regime introduced in 2014 |
See offshore company formation or offshore holding companies.
- Registry options
Three UAE offshore registry options
Company
For holding and IP
- Registered in Ras Al Khaimah
- Registered agent required
- Often used for holding and IP
- Lower-cost registry
Final cost depends on your case, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Offshore Company
For a Dubai registry
- Registered in Jebel Ali, Dubai
- Registered agent required
- Established since 2003
- Possible conversion to a free zone company
Final cost depends on your case, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Offshore Company
For a lower-cost route
- Registered in Ajman
- Newer regime from 2014
- Lower-cost option
- Less international recognition
Final cost depends on your case, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does UAE offshore jurisdictions cost?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your case, the authority fees and the work involved. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every government and service fee before you commit.
- Government and authority fees
- Medical test and Emirates ID, where required
- Typing and application fees
- Extra approvals, if your case needs them
- Attestation or translation, if needed
- Maven& service fee
- How it works
How to choose and set up an offshore registry in 5 steps
Confirm your purpose
We check that a holding, trading or IP structure fits an offshore company.
Choose the registry
We compare RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore and Ajman for your goals.
Appoint the registered agent
We arrange the licensed registered agent and prepare the name and application.
Incorporate
The registry issues the certificate of incorporation and company documents.
Compliance and banking
We set up registers, tax registration support and bank account introductions.
Documents required for UAE offshore jurisdictions
Most applications need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing for your case.
- Passport copy with sufficient validity
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- Current UAE visa and Emirates ID, if you live in the UAE
- Trade licence and establishment card, for company-sponsored visas
- Medical fitness test result, where required
- Marriage and birth certificates, for family cases, attested where required
- Employment contract or sponsor documents, where required
- Approval documents, where your case is regulated
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for UAE offshore jurisdictions
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right route checked before you pay
Rules and requirements change by visa type and authority. We check your route and eligibility before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- FAQs
UAE offshore jurisdictions: frequently asked questions
Three: RAK ICC in Ras Al Khaimah, JAFZA Offshore in Dubai and the Ajman Free Zone.
RAK ICC is based in Ras Al Khaimah and often chosen for holding and IP at lower cost, while JAFZA Offshore is Dubai-based and long established. Fees and rules differ, so we compare them for your goals.
It can suit cost-conscious structures, but it has less international recognition than RAK ICC or JAFZA. Banking acceptance should be checked first.
No. None of the three registries allows an offshore company to trade with UAE customers. See offshore company formation.
Yes for RAK ICC and JAFZA Offshore. The agent holds the registered office and company records, and we arrange a licensed agent.
JAFZA Offshore companies can often convert into a JAFZA free zone company, subject to approvals. We review the process before you decide.
No registry guarantees banking. Banks assess each structure on its own, so we check your banking plan before you incorporate. See corporate bank account opening.
The cost depends on your case, the authority fees and the work involved, so there is no single price. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
The timeline depends on your case, the authority, your documents and any approvals. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. We confirm your route and eligibility, prepare the application, manage approvals and follow the process through to your Emirates ID. Final approvals are always the authority\u2019s decision. Contact us for an itemised quote.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to start with UAE offshore jurisdictions?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a plan built around your case. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
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