JAFZA Offshore (Jebel Ali Free Zone International Business Company) is a government-regulated non-resident jurisdiction located in Dubai, governed by the JAFZA Authority and DP World. It functions as the primary legal vehicle for foreign investors requiring Dubai real estate ownership and global asset protection without conducting operational commerce within the UAE.
Registered under the Jebel Ali Free Zone Offshore Companies Regulations, a JAFZA Offshore entity permits 100% Foreign Ownership and is the only offshore jurisdiction officially permitted to own “Freehold” property in Dubai directly through the Dubai Land Department (DLD). Under the 2026 regulatory framework, JAFZA Offshore entities must maintain a Registered Agent in Dubai and are required to register for a Tax Registration Number (TRN) if they derive income from UAE-sourced assets.
Based in Dubai, JAFZA Offshore integrates with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and DP World to provide a technical structure for wealth management. Join a registry of institutional and individual investors managing high-value assets. Select this jurisdiction to secure Dubai real estate without the mandate for residency or physical operations.
JAFZA Offshore is the main jurisdiction permitted by the Dubai Land Department to hold title deeds in freehold areas. This allows the entity to manage property transactions directly through the DLD portal.
The registry provides confidentiality for beneficial owners. Details of shareholders and directors are not publicly accessible, satisfying privacy standards for asset holding.
Operating under the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority grants the entity global recognition. This credibility is required for opening offshore investment accounts and managing multi-currency capital.
Use the entity to consolidate Dubai-based assets under a corporate structure. This simplifies the transfer of assets to heirs and avoids standard probate delays.
Al Arabiya Group acts as your licensed Registered Agent. We provide the registered office address and manage all communications with the authority to ensure the entity remains active and compliant.
Shareholders are not required to hold a UAE residency visa or visit the country for incorporation. The management of the entity is performed through the Registered Agent using digital portals.
We manage the application for the specific investment goals permitted under the Jebel Ali Free Zone Offshore Companies Regulations. Select the use case that matches your 2026 wealth management strategy:
Used by foreign investors to purchase residential or commercial units in Dubai. This structure allows the Dubai Land Department (DLD) to issue the title deed directly in the name of the entity. Holding property through JAFZA Offshore allows for the transfer of property shares instead of the physical asset, reducing future transaction costs and avoiding standard probate procedures for heirs.
Authorized for holding trademarks, patents, and shares in other legal entities. The company functions as a "Top-Co" for UAE Mainland or Free Zone subsidiaries. This centralizes the management of dividends and prevents the direct exposure of individual shareholders in operational contracts.
Permits the invoicing of goods and services between two entities located outside the United Arab Emirates. The company acts as a middle-tier vehicle for global trade. You are legally restricted from physical operations, warehousing, or invoicing UAE-based clients under this offshore status.
Used to create a legal wall between personal liability and high-value assets. Because the JAFZA registry is not public, this jurisdiction is selected by institutional investors to maintain confidentiality regarding their global asset portfolios.
Firms in JAFZA Offshore follow UAE federal rules and specific authority mandates. Al Arabiya Group manages these technical tasks to maintain your legal status and prevent the removal of your entity from the active registry.
Under the Jebel Ali Free Zone Offshore Companies Regulations, every entity must appoint and maintain a Licensed Registered Agent in Dubai. Al Arabiya Group serves as your legal liaison, providing the registered office address and managing all filings with the authority. You are legally restricted from having a physical office or a business address on the UAE Mainland.
JAFZA mandates the submission of an annual audited financial statement. You must appoint a JAFZA-approved auditor to review your accounts. The final audit report must be uploaded to the authority’s portal within 90 days of the company’s financial year-end. Failure to submit the audit results in the loss of the “Certificate of Good Standing” and potential freezing of the entity’s assets.
Under Federal Decree-Law, JAFZA Offshore entities are subject to the UAE Corporate Tax regime.
9% Tax Rate: Applies to all net income derived from UAE Real Estate (such as rental income from Dubai properties).
0% Tax Rate: Applies to foreign-sourced dividends and capital gains, provided the entity satisfies “Qualifying” criteria.
TRN Registration: Entities holding UAE property or generating UAE-sourced income must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) to obtain a Tax Registration Number (TRN).
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) & ESR Filings
The JAFZA Authority requires the disclosure of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (any individual owning or controlling 25% or more of the shares). Furthermore, if the entity conducts “Relevant Activities” such as Holding Company business or Distribution and Service Centre work, it must file an annual Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) notification.
Requirement: You must prove that your Core Income-Generating Activities take place within the UAE.
Penalty: Non-compliance with ESR filings triggers federal fines starting from AED 50,000.
We manage every stage of your offshore company formation through a structured four-step path. Our team ensures your 2026 setup follows all local rules set by the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority and the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
Select Al Arabiya Group as your Licensed Registered Agent. This appointment is a mandatory legal requirement under JAFZA regulations. We provide the registered office address and manage all official liaison with the authority. During this stage, we conduct a technical profile audit to align your asset-holding structure with UAE banking and property laws.
Submit three trade name options for the company through the JAFZA centralized portal. We verify your chosen name against the Ministry of Economy registry to prevent processing delays. We collect shareholder passport copies and digital credentials to initiate the Know Your Customer (KYC) and security background check.
Draft the digital Memorandum of Association (MoA) and shareholder register. Upon security clearance and fee processing, the authority issues the Certificate of Incorporation and the Trade License for 2026. These electronic documents allow you to initiate property registration or apply for investment accounts immediately.
Register the entity with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) if your objective is direct real estate ownership. We facilitate the mandatory Tax Registration Number (TRN) application if the entity derives income from UAE assets. Our team manages the annual license renewal and the filing of the annual audited financial statement to maintain the company’s status in the registry of good standing.
FAQ's
Yes. UAE retail and investment banks permit the opening of “Offshore Corporate Accounts” for JAFZA entities. These accounts are subject to high Know Your Customer (KYC) standards and typically require a substantial initial deposit or proof of UAE real estate assets. Al Arabiya Group secures the Certificate of Good Standing and the technical shareholder profiles required by the bank’s compliance department to facilitate the application.
Yes. Under UAE federal law, JAFZA Offshore entities conducting “Relevant Activities”—such as Holding Company business or Intellectual Property (IP) business—must file an annual ESR notification and report. You must demonstrate that your Core Income-Generating Activities take place within the UAE. Failure to file results in federal fines starting from AED 50,000.
No. A JAFZA Offshore registration is a non-resident legal structure. It does not provide the right to apply for UAE residency visas for shareholders or employees. Investors requiring residency in the UAE must incorporate a Mainland (DET) or Free Zone trading entity.
Yes. JAFZA Offshore is the primary offshore jurisdiction officially recognized by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) for direct real estate ownership. This allows the entity to hold title deeds for residential or commercial units in Dubai freehold areas. Holding property through this structure simplifies inheritance planning and protects the asset from personal liability.
There is no mandatory minimum share capital required by the JAFZA Authority to incorporate an offshore entity. You can declare the share capital starting from AED 1,000 in the corporate documents. You are not required to deposit this capital into a bank account for the registration phase.
