You can open an offshore company in the UAE without obtaining a resident visa. The UAE is a unique jurisdiction that combines respectability, favorable conditions and huge opportunities for foreign business. Foreign citizens and non-residents have several options for opening a company in the United Arab Emirates and not paying taxes on income from foreign activities.
Company Registration in Ajman & Other Emirates
An offshore (free zone) company in the UAE is not just an alternative to classic offshore companies in Belize, it is an excellent option for doing foreign business. Companies registered in Dubai or other emirates have access to the international market in the same way as companies from England, the Czech Republic and other respectable jurisdictions.
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most respectable and reliable offshore jurisdictions as of 2025. The time period depends on the region you choose within the country, as each emirate has its own rules and regulations. Below you will find a detailed analysis of all the popular regions.
Types of Companies in the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates offers three types of companies that are interesting for foreigners:
Classic offshore;
- Onshore (Mainland);
- Companies that are registered in the SEZ.
Classic offshores are international business companies (IBCs) that can only operate outside the UAE. This is a classic that will suit those looking for an offshore jurisdiction. But there may be difficulties with such companies, since some jurisdictions have restrictions on working with offshores.
Onshores are companies that operate only within the country. For foreigners, this option is available only if there is a second founder – a citizen or resident of the UAE. We help and are ready to advise which of them is the best in your personal situation.
Companies registered in FEZs are one of the most interesting options. Free economic (trade) zones have their own conditions for doing business. The government created such zones for the development of the country, so not all FEZs are designed for the participation of foreign businesses. But there are also pleasant exceptions: Ajman and some other emirates.
Is the UAE an offshore zone or not?
The United Arab Emirates is an offshore zone. Moreover, the UAE is included in the list of states and territories recognized by most countries as an offshore zone.
If in the case of classic offshore zones this causes serious inconvenience for citizens of various countries wishing to open a foreign company, then in the case of the United Arab Emirates this does not cause such inconvenience. Since the UAE is not included in the so-called “black lists”, but is only considered an offshore jurisdiction. And in addition to the offshore, it offers “white” tax-free companies. Companies registered in the UAE are recognized all over the world. You can still find contrary information on the Internet, but most of it is already outdated. The jurisdiction is constantly evolving, and the last serious improvements occurred in 2014.
Ajman is one of the free economic zones, which is most popular among foreigners, since 2014 it has been tax-free and is recognized all over the world. At the same time, local companies are exempt from taxes both for activities within the country and abroad.
Foreigners have the right to freely register tax-free companies only in free economic zones (FEZ). In these zones, non-residents are allowed to own a company solely, without involving a local representative or agent, and without the need to obtain residency in Dubai or other emirates. This means that companies in FEZs are the most interesting option for 2025, and below we present the results of our analysis of UAE FEZs.
Free Trade Zones in the UAE
Free economic zones (FEZ) are geographical areas located within the city and offer special conditions for doing business. The country’s authorities have created several dozen free trade zones where foreigners can open companies and not pay taxes on income from foreign activities. There are a number of pleasant exceptions where non-residents are allowed not to pay taxes on activities in the United Arab Emirates.
In FEZs, foreigners are allowed to register companies without having to involve local partners as founders. At the same time, in some zones, it is allowed to conduct business both outside the jurisdiction and within the country! And this is without having to involve a local as a founder.
Company registration is associated with some peculiarities. For example, you cannot register a legal entity that plans to engage in a certain type of activity in a zone that is not intended for this type of activity.
Another important feature of any zone is that a legal address is required within a specific zone. This means that if you want your company to operate within the Dubai FEZ, then the legal address must be within the territory of this zone. This applies to absolutely all regions. The cost of a legal address or office rent in each city is different, hence the difference in business maintenance costs in different regions.
There are more than 20 free zones in the UAE. We have analyzed some of the FEZs and present you with key information about the most interesting zones for non-residents.
Dubai
There are more than 10 free economic zones operating within Dubai. Each has its own conditions. There are two “universal zones” within Dubai:
Dubai South Free Zone;
- Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA).
These zones are universal, as they allow all types of activities. The remaining zones of Dubai are highly specialized in the following types:
- Trade;
- Service and facilities;
- Industry and manufacturing.
Moreover, within one type of activity, zones are divided into specific areas, namely:
- Dubai Internet City (DIC) – Internet companies;
- Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) – educational business;
- Dubai Health Care City (DHCC) – business in the field of medicine and health;
- And others.
Each FEZ has its own requirements for the authorized capital. In Dubai, it ranges from 0 dirham to 300,000 dirhams (about 83 thousand dollars).
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) is a FEZ in Dubai where you can open a company without an authorized capital.
The highest requirements in the UAE are in two zones. The first is located in Dubai – Dubai South Free Zone. The second zone is Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ), located in Umm Al Quwain. But in both cases, you can do without depositing the authorized capital into the account.
As a rule, when a foreigner has an idea to open a company in the UAE, the first thing that comes to mind is Dubai. But in addition to Dubai, there are other zones in the United Arab Emirates, in some cases they are more profitable than registering a company in Dubai.
Abu Dhabi
Company registration in Abu Dhabi is characterized by speed. On average, it takes 14-20 days to open a new business, while in Dubai this period is 15-25 days. Abu Dhabi FEZ – Masdar City Free Zone, allows you to register companies of all types of activities, so it is considered universal.
The minimum authorized capital is 50,000 dirhams, which is approximately 13.5 thousand US dollars. And in this case, they really need to be contributed.
Ajman
Ajman is the most popular free economic zone in the UAE for 2025, if we look at the demand from foreign businesses. This FEZ is especially popular with citizens of Europe. The popularity is due to the excellent conditions in the Ajman Free Zone (AFZA):
There is no requirement to contribute a minimum authorized capital;
- Simple procedure for opening a company for a foreigner;
- Registration period is 1 day;
- Most activities are permitted.
AMC Advantages:
- 100% ownership;
- There are no taxes;
- It is not necessary to obtain a visa.
You can open a company in Ajman and provide services outside the UAE, in which case you will not pay taxes on profits. Your activities can be in the sphere of services, such as consulting, etc., or in the field of trade or industry. Moreover, Ajman is the region where companies can operate within the jurisdiction, while also being exempt from taxes.
Is it worth registering a company in the UAE in 2025?
Our experience shows that since the early 2000s, the UAE government has set a course for turning the country into the economic center of the world. And everything that has happened over the past 15 years points to excellent prospects for the future.
The UAE is not a universal jurisdiction, opening a company in which will suit everyone. But every year the jurisdiction is becoming more and more attractive. What are the created free economic zones and the legalization of the jurisdiction worth.
Start registering a company in the UAE with a consultation. We will study your situation, answer your questions and together with you select the best solution for your personal tasks.