Ajman Offshore (launched 2014) operates under Ajman Free Zone Authority (AFZA). Formed on the foundation of Ajman Free Zone (est. 1988; independent via Emiri Decree No. 3 of 1996), it offers a zero-tax, confidential, limited-liability vehicle for international trading, asset holding, consulting, and property ownership.
Benefits (Advantage – What It Means for You)
- Globally respected UAE jurisdiction – credibility with banks and partners
- Fast, very low-cost setup (2-3 working days) – least-expensive UAE offshore option
- Zero corporate / income / capital-gains tax – no UAE tax on foreign profits
- 100 % foreign ownership – no Emirati sponsor required
- 100 % capital & profit repatriation – move money in & out freely
- No paid-up share capital – you can start with any nominal amount
- No physical office needed – registered-agent address is sufficient
- Shareholder & director names kept confidential – privacy preserved
- Multicurrency UAE & international banking – accounts available once KYC clears
- Own up to three UAE properties – hold approved free-hold real-estate assets
Types of Business Activities Permitted (Category – Typical Uses)
- Holding Company – owning shares in UAE/on-shore or overseas entities
- General Trading – buying & selling goods internationally (outside UAE)
- Professional / Advisory Services – consultancy, commission agency, management
- International Services – IT, marketing, logistics done offshore
- Investment & Joint-Investment Vehicle – pooling funds for portfolios or JVs
- Shipping & Ship-Management – vessel ownership, chartering, crewing
- Property-Owning SPV – holding up to three approved UAE properties
Not allowed: business with UAE mainland parties outside Ajman Free Zone; banking, insurance, or other regulated financial services; obtaining residence visas via the offshore company.
Licence / Certificates Issued
- Certificate of Incorporation – proves legal existence
- Memorandum & Articles of Association – list authorised activities
(No conventional trade licence is issued; the certificate functions as the “licence.”)
Documents Required to Set Up
Individual Shareholder(s)
- Passport copy (valid ≥ 6 months) + UAE visa/entry-stamp page
- Original proof of address (utility bill ≤ 3 months)
- Personal CV / business profile
- Bank reference (good-standing) letter (account active ≥ 2 years)
- Three proposed company names
Corporate Shareholder(s)
- Certificate of Incorporation *
- Memorandum & Articles of Association *
- Board Resolution + Power of Attorney authorising Ajman Offshore setup *
- Certificate of Good Standing *
- Passport copies of two directors (corporate directors not allowed)
- Directors’ / Secretary’s CVs
- Utility bills for corporate officers
- Bank reference letter for the corporate entity
* Must be notarised in the home country, attested at the UAE embassy, then stamped by UAE MOFA.
Core Regulatory Requirements
- Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate)
- Minimum 2 directors (must be individuals; one may also act as company secretary)
- Secretary mandatory (can be one of the directors)
- Shareholder or authorised attorney must sign before AFZA official
- Registered Agent compulsory; agent’s office address is company address
- Company name must end with “Limited”
Step-by-Step Incorporation Process (Step – What Happens – Typical Time)
- Appoint Registered Agent – engage AFZA-approved agent (e.g., Smart Business Creation) – Day 0
- Name Reservation & KYC – file three names, IDs, CVs with AFZA – 1 working day
- Draft MoA & Share Structure – decide capital, issue shares, appoint directors/secretary – parallel
- Sign Incorporation Pack – shareholder(s)/attorney sign before AFZA official – same day
- Registrar Filing & Payment – agent lodges docs, pays govt fee – 1-2 working days
- Certificate of Incorporation Issued – receive certificate, MoA/AA, share certificates – 1 day
- Bank Account Opening – submit company docs & KYC to bank – 1-4 weeks (bank-dependent)
Why Smart Business Creation
- Complete consultancy & PRO services for Ajman Offshore
- Drafting, filing, and AFZA approvals handled end-to-end
- 2-3-day fast-track registration via registered-agent status
- Bank-account assistance and annual-renewal compliance
