Setting up business in Free Zone has benefits like:

• Complete foreign ownership
• No Currency restrictions
• State-of-art communication methods
• Full repatriation of capital and profits
• Corporate and personal income tax exemption
• Customer support desks dedicated to SMEs and start-ups
• Excellent support services

UAE has around 40 Free Zones currently operational, and more are under construction. Each Free Zone is designed around one or more commercial categories. Licenses are offered to companies only within those categories. Contrary to popular belief, Free Zone Companies are different from offshore companies, and have different characteristics as much as they have similarities. To set up a free zone company, you need:

• Certified Passport Copy and UAE
• Visa/UAE entry stamp (if non-resident)
• 2 x Proofs of Address (dated within 3 months)
• Bank or Professional Reference Letter
• Curriculum Vitae (summary of professional history)
• Company Application Form (which we will provide)

While certain Free Zones may request a detailed business plan, depending on the business activity of the proposed new company. Startup Village has sufficient experience and lots of use cases and templates to guide you through this process.

Offshore Incorporation

Offshore Companies are legal business entities that are formed outside their registered jurisdiction/ country of operation. UAE’s offshore company policies are extremely cost friendly and require bare minimum capital investment. From tax benefits to opening business prospects to international markets, it offers flexible business conditions. But your offshore enterprise can only do businesses such as international trade, general trading, property holding, intellectual property holding, shipping business, online advertising, distribution and service center business
In UAE, predominantly three jurisdictions allow offshore incorporation – Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC), and Ajman Free Zone. However choosing the right kind of business and setting it up in the right jurisdiction plays a pivotal role in your business success. And our expert team at Start-up Village help you materialize those dreams into reality. We assist you in every step of your journey to make your experience smooth and hassle free.

• 100% foreign ownership
• Business anonymity from public domains
• Tax benefits
• Asset and lawsuit protection
• Intellectual property protection
• Ease of setting up
• Gateway to international markets
• Multi-currency transactions are possible without complications

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)

JAFZA, first and the oldest free zones of UAE was established in 1985, with the aim to attract foreign investors. JAFZA attracts both local and global businesses because of its unique business ecosystem. From mere 19 companies, today it accommodates over 8000 companies, of which over 100 are listed in Fortune Global 500 enterprises. JAFZA allows both individual and corporate offshore company formation. However a shareholder would have to visit the UAE to complete the offshore company incorporation process.
Offshore companies registered with JAFZA authority need to file audited accounts each year. They can open bank accounts with all banks in UAE.
Other features are:

• 100% foreign ownership
• Business anonymity from public domains
• Tax benefits
• Asset and lawsuit protection
• Intellectual property protection
• Ease of setting up
• Gateway to international markets
• Multi-currency transactions are possible without complications

Offshore Companies are legal business entities that are formed outside their registered jurisdiction/ country of operation. UAE’s offshore company policies are extremely cost friendly and require bare minimum capital investment. From tax benefits to opening business prospects to international markets, it offers flexible business conditions. But your offshore enterprise can only do businesses such as international trade, general trading, property holding, intellectual property holding, shipping business, online advertising, distribution and service center business
In UAE, predominantly three jurisdictions allow offshore incorporation – Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC), and Ajman Free Zone. However choosing the right kind of business and setting it up in the right jurisdiction plays a pivotal role in your business success. And our expert team at Start-up Village help you materialize those dreams into reality. We assist you in every step of your journey to make your experience smooth and hassle free.

• Bearer shares are not allowed
• Company status: Limited liability
• Number of shareholders: Minimum one and maximum not limited
• Number of directors: Minimum number should be two
• Allows contact with legal consultants, lawyers and auditors
• Shareholders and directors can conduct meetings in the UAE

Documents needed for individual applicant

• Resume/CV of Applicant
• Bank reference letter from anywhere in world (Start-up village can provide the templates)
• Proof of residence (Any recent utility bills like electricity or telephone bill in the name of applicant)
• Passport Copy (With at least 6 months validity)

To know more about JAFZA offshore incorporation, consult us

RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC)

During company registration, you don’t have to be physically present. The formalities could be done through an agent (a UAE national) registered with RAK ICC. We at Start-up Village will do all these heavy lifting through our trusted partners who make the process seamless and transparent. You can get the certificate of incorporation within a week of applying.
Key benefits of setting up RAK Offshore Company are:

• Simple and fast incorporation process
• No need to have local office and employees
• 100% foreign ownership
• No tax or VAT levied
• No import and export duties
• No need to file accounts
• Number of shareholder and director: Minimum of one each
• Can buy real estate property in UAE, even without a business license
• Open bank accounts in UAE

Documents Required for Company Formation in RAK Offshore

• Passport copy of shareholder/ investors
• CV of the investor
• Utility bill for the address proof
• Trade names as preferred

To know more about RAK ICC offshore incorporation, consult us

Ajman Offshore Company Formation

Ajman offshore company formation is one of the more recent addition to UAE’s offshore incorporation portfolio. Established in 2014, by Ajman Freezone Authority, they offer the cheapest and fastest offshore company set up. As any offshore enterprise, they cannot engage in business within UAE but are allowed to invest in UAE companies. To set an offshore incorporation in Ajman, you will also need a registered agent in Ajman. And Start-up Village can facilitate these requirements at affordable prices.
Some of the key benefits

• Fastest offshore company set up process – needs just one day
• Cost-effective and requires a minimal budget for operational cost
• Complete capital and profit repatriation is allowed.
• Zero taxation and 100% foreign ownership
• Number of shareholders and directors: Minimum of one shareholder and one director. Both could be the same person.
• No office space required. Registered agents office address can be used as company address
• Own property in UAE
• Can easily make amendments to your business structure.
• Can open bank accounts anywhere in UAE

Documents required For an Individual Shareholder:

• Passport copies with a validity of at least six months
• Application form
• Proof of residence (A telephone or electricity bill not older than three months should be sufficient)
• Curriculum Vitae or résumé of the shareholder(s)

For a Corporate Shareholder / Entity:

• Notarised incorporation certificate or trade license copy
• Valid passport copies of representatives and directors with a validity of at least six months
• Notarized, original incumbency certificate
• Notarised, original good standing certificate
• Original shareholder’s resolution that is notarized
• Parental company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association copy

To know more about RAK ICC offshore incorporation, consult us

Foreign Branch Incorporation

• Well network of partners in tax haven countries
• Tax benefits
• Free from state regulations
• Moderate operational costs
• Ease of international operations
• Multi-currency funding of accounts out of the country

Start-up Village offers incorporation of offshore companies in other countries as well. Our team not only has expertise in offshore company set up in the UAE but in other tax haven countries such as Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Panama, Seychelles, Caribbean to name a few. We provide customized packages to our clients as per their requirements. As per objectives of each customer, we provide needed guidance on which country they should opt for their business.
Having offshore companies abroad provides benefits such as zero to low taxation, assets protection, protection of identity of shareholders and directors, low operational costs and fast incorporation time.
Having offshore companies abroad provides benefits such as zero to low taxation, assets protection, protection of identity of shareholders and directors, low operational costs and fast incorporation time.

• Choosing jurisdiction / country of incorporation
• Complete assistance while preparing company documents set
• Corporate documentation support
• Taking care of legal processes
• Assistance in opening the bank account abroad
• Seamless transition of offshore company to other jurisdictions (Redomiciliation)
• Translation of corporate documents to your country of operation

For more information get in touch with us

Bank Account Services

• Hassle free documentation process
• Fast account opening anywhere in UAE
• Assistance in choosing right bank for your business

Be it opening a bank account or arranging for bank guarantee for your business, lot of paper work and formalities are involved. Start-up Village has good relationships with leading banks across UAE ensuring safe and secure banking relation in the Emirates.
Our in-house banking experts with more than 10 years’ experience in the industry would assist you in every step. They would determine the best banks suitable for your business.

Opening a bank account

To open a corporate bank account in UAE, applicants/individual shareholders should be present in the UAE. As part of personal identity confirmation, s/he is required to sign all the required documents in front of the bank official. If there is inconvenience for the applicant to be present, a resolution can be passed and attested by Offshore or Freezone authority enabling company representative to be present in the bank and be the signing authority.

Opening Offshore Company Bank Account

Offshore companies can easily open an account with any bank in the UAE. These accounts will not be eligible for credit card or cheque book, but they can transfer funds even through online banking system. Shareholders of offshore enterprise can also open personal bank accounts with the same bank.

Documents required to open offshore company bank account

• Incorporation Certificate
• Memorandum of Association
• Share Certificate
• Passport copy of shareholder
• Resume/CV of shareholder
• Business proof in home country

Documents required to open Personal Bank Account in UAE

• Passport copy
• Bank reference letter
• Utility bill

Opening Freezone Company Bank Account

These accounts are eligible for cheque book, debit card, credit card and all other credit facilities from bank. They can avail loan benefits to purchase assets for the company. Net banking facility is also enabled.

Documents required to open Freezone Company Bank Account

• Incorporation Certificate
• Memorandum of Association
• Trade License
• Tenancy Contract
• Passport Copy of Shareholder
• Business Profile