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Offshore Company Setup Cost in Dubai 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Set Up an Offshore Company in Dubai in 2026?
Setting up a company in Dubai in 2026 continues to be one of the most cost effective ways to organize global assets manage international investments or build a tax efficient holding company in the UAE. Although prices change depending on the place and the service provider authentic offshore setups are between AED 8,000 and 25,000, for the first year not including very complicated or custom made structures.
Easy Setup presents itself as a clear and full service business setup partner helping you look at offshore choices and create a structure that matches your budget and long term plan.
What is an offshore company in Dubai?
An offshore company in Dubai is a company that does not live in the United Arab Emirates. People use it to hold things they own do business with countries own special ideas or plan what to do with their money. They do this without doing business inside the United Arab Emirates.
In Dubai and the United Arab Emirates there are a few places to set up an offshore company. These places are RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore and Ajman Offshore. Each of these places has its fees and rules that people need to follow.
Offshore companies are different from companies in Dubai. They do not need an office or special visas to stay in the country. This makes them a good choice for people who want to keep their business private, flexible and do not want to spend a lot of money.
Key costs to set up a company in 2026
There are a few things that decide how much money it will cost to set up an offshore company in Dubai in 2026.
These things are:
The place where you set up the company. This can be RAK ICC, JAFZA or Ajman. RAK ICC is usually the cheapest. JAFZA offshore is more expensive because it is well known and people can own property there.
The purpose and structure of a company: a simple company that owns companies is usually less expensive than a complicated company with many parts or a foundation or a big family office, with many different entities.
Registered agent and advisory services: Professional agents bundle government fees, documentation, banking support and compliance into all inclusive packages, which can change the final price significantly.
Choosing the right mix of jurisdiction and services is where a specialist like Easy Setup adds value, ensuring you only pay for what you truly need.
Typical Offshore Setup Cost Range in Dubai (2026)
Jurisdiction / Scenario: General offshore company (Dubai/UAE)
Typical First Year Cost (AED): 8,000 to 18,000
Notes: Common range cited for standard holding / asset structures, including registration, agent and basic annual fees.
Jurisdiction / Scenario: Offshore holding / asset company
Typical First Year Cost (AED): 8,000 to 18,000
Notes: Used for property holding, global shares and IP ownership, with similar cost structure to standard offshore entities.
Jurisdiction / Scenario: RAK ICC offshore (no visas)
Typical First Year Cost (AED): 9,000 to 12,000
Notes: We have an estimate for holding only structures in Ras Al Khaimah. This estimate combines authority fees for Ras Al Khaimah and registered agent services, for Ras Al Khaimah.
Jurisdiction / Scenario: RAK ICC offshore (broader range)
Typical First Year Cost (AED): 7,500 to 18,000
Notes: This shows levels of service with better structures and improved banking or compliance help.
Jurisdiction / Scenario: JAFZA offshore
Typical First Year Cost (AED): 15,000 to 20,000
Notes: Higher end offshore option due to strong reputation, Dubai property ownership eligibility and wider banking acceptance.
Jurisdiction / Scenario: Ajman offshore
Typical First Year Cost (AED): 13,000 to 17,000
Notes: Budget friendly offshore jurisdiction with simple compliance and mid range all inclusive packages.
Jurisdiction / Scenario: High service offshore packages
Typical First Year Cost (AED): 15,000 to 35,000
Notes: Includes enhanced banking support, nominee services, multi entity or family office structuring and bespoke advisory.
Breakdown of Offshore Company Formation Costs
To figure out your budget you need to know how the cost of setting up a company is calculated. The cost is made up of things including:
The government registration fee is what the government charges to set up the company. The government registration fee usually costs between AED 6,000 to 12,000. This depends on where the offshore company's set up.
Agent or consultant fee: this is what you pay to the person who helps you set up the offshore company and makes sure you are following all the rules, and it is usually around AED 2,000 to 5,000 per year.
Registered office address: sometimes this is included in the package. Other times you have to pay for it separately and it can cost around AED 2,000 to 3,000 per year.
Documentation, notarisation and attestation: this means getting all the paperwork done, like the Memorandum of Association and getting it officially approved. It usually costs around AED 1,000 to 2,000.
Bank account assistance: this is optional. If you want help setting up a bank account for your offshore company, it can cost around AED 4,000 to 8,000.
When you add up all these costs the total cost for the year is usually around AED 13,000 to 20,000 for a fully supported offshore setup, including help, with setting up a bank account.
RAK ICC Offshore: A Cost Benchmark for 2026
RAK ICC is one of the most popular and competitively priced offshore jurisdictions in the UAE:
Official RAK ICC government incorporation fee for a standard International Business Company is AED 3,250 for one year, with renewal at AED 3,950 per year according to the 2026 fee schedule.
Registered agent, office and processing fees typically bring the total first year cost to around AED 9,000 to 12,000 for a standard package.
Some agents quote broader all inclusive ranges between AED 10,000 and AED 18,000, depending on optional services like nominee arrangements, premium structuring or bundled banking support.
This makes RAK ICC offshore a strong choice for investors looking for value, privacy and light compliance at a relatively moderate price point.
Annual Renewal Costs You Must Plan For
Offshore company budgeting doesn’t stop at Year 1. You’ll also need to factor in annual renewal costs:
Licence / government renewal fees: Often in the AED 3,950 to 10,000 range depending on jurisdiction and structure.
Registered agent and office renewal: Typically AED 3,500 to 6,000 per year for standard offshore companies.
Additional compliance services: Optional bookkeeping, substance assessment, or bespoke legal updates if needed, priced case by case.
Taken together, most offshore companies in 2026 should expect annual renewal costs of approximately AED 10,000 to 15,000 for ongoing good standing, though simpler packages can come in lower.
Hidden and Optional Costs to Watch
Beyond headline package prices, a few hidden or optional costs can change the total cost of offshore setup:
Enhanced due diligence: High risk or complex structures may incur higher authority fees or additional KYC charges.
Nominee shareholder/director services: Where required, these add an extra layer of annual cost for privacy and administration.
Multi year packages: Some jurisdictions offer 2 or 3 year incorporation and renewal bundles, which change the upfront cost but reduce yearly admin.
Working with a consultant that emphasises transparent pricing and clearly itemised quotes is crucial to avoid surprises, a positioning that Easy Setup strongly highlights on its website.
Offshore vs Free Zone vs Mainland: Cost Context
To understand pricing, it helps to look at it compared to other structures in the UAE:
Free zone companies: The usual costs in the year in 2026 are around AED 12,000 to 34,000 especially when visas and office space are added.
Mainland (DED) companies: Professional and commercial licences with office and visas often cost between AED 25,000, to 60,000 or more in the year.
Offshore companies: As seen, most standard offshore structures sit around AED 8,000 to 22,500.
For investors who do not need UAE trading rights or multiple visas, offshore companies offer a more budget friendly way to gain UAE presence, asset protection and global structuring benefits.
How Easy Setup Helps You Optimise Offshore Setup Costs
Easy Setup’s proposition aligns well with the needs of offshore investors who want clarity on cost and process:
Coverage of all major UAE jurisdictions: The team works across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and more, including offshore structures such as RAK ICC.
Registered agent and corporate services: Easy Setup acts as a registered agent for major offshore jurisdictions and provides PRO, banking and tax support under one roof, reducing the need to manage multiple vendors.
Transparent, upfront pricing: The website stresses “no hidden fees” and “transparent pricing”, meaning your quote should clearly separate government fees, agent costs and optional add Ons.
By combining business setup, banking assistance, tax and accounting, and ongoing PRO services, Easy Setup helps ensure your offshore company remains compliant and cost efficient year after year.
Step by Step: Setting Up an Offshore Company with Easy Setup in 2026
Based on Easy Setup’s own “How It Works” model, the offshore setup journey typically follows four main steps:
Consultation
Easy Setup’s advisors review your goals (holding, trading, IP, wealth planning) and recommend the best offshore jurisdiction and structure for 2026 regulations.
Documentation
The team prepares incorporation forms, KYC documents, MOA, resolutions and handles attestation and authority submissions on your behalf.
Bank Account Opening (if required)
For offshore structures with banking needs, Easy Setup leverages its SME and corporate banking experience to connect you with suitable banks and support the account opening process.
Launch & Ongoing Support
Once your offshore licence is issued, Easy Setup remains available for renewals, amendments, tax and accounting advisory, and PRO services for any related UAE activities.
This full process helps make things easier and also lowers the chance of charges or delays that can make your total setup cost higher than expected.
Practical Budgeting Tips for Offshore Setup in 2026
If you’re planning an offshore company in Dubai this year, consider these practical budgeting pointers:
Budget a realistic first year envelope of AED 12,000 to 20,000 if you want government fees, agent services, documentation and basic banking support covered.
Ask for an detailed quote separating authority fees, agent charges, documentation and renewals, to compare providers fairly.
Plan for annual renewal in the AED 10,000 to 15,000 range for a typical offshore company to avoid surprises at the end of Year 1.
Easy Setup can calibrate your package, so you only pay for relevant services, a key advantage for cost conscious investors and entrepreneurs.
