Glossary · Offshore Company
What Is Offshore Company in the UAE
A UAE offshore company is registered with a specialized registry (RAK ICC and similar) through a registered agent. It may not trade inside the UAE and cannot sponsor residence visas.
Why it matters
Why it matters when opening a company
Offshore is a holding and international-contract vehicle: shares, assets, IP and cross-border invoicing.
It is a different registry from free zones and mainland — conversion between them is not direct.
Mini-FAQ
Common questions
Can an offshore company open a UAE bank account?
Some banks accept offshore entities, but onboarding is stricter and bank-by-bank; free-zone and mainland accounts are simpler.
Does an offshore company appear in the catalog?
No — the snapshot covers free-zone and mainland licenses only; offshore is quoted by registered agents.