An IFZA Offshore company is a non-resident entity designed for holding assets, owning shares and trading outside the UAE, with no office, no visas and minimal annual compliance. IFZA Offshore structures are popular with investors who want a UAE-registered holding company for property, intellectual property or an international trading business. Importantly, typical examples of this activity include SaaS platform, mobile app studio, IT outsourcing and cybersecurity consulting, which can in most cases sit together on one IFZA Offshore licence. Just as important, external approvals for it & software are: none beyond the licence; data-hosting activities may need TDRA notification.
Why IFZA Offshore
In our experience, typical uses of an IFZA Offshore company include holding Dubai property, international consulting and trading, group holding structures, IP and royalty holding and estate planning. The registered agent requirement means GoldenKey keeps the company's register, files renewals and handles correspondence with the registry. IFZA Offshore is a sensible home for it & software because software development, SaaS, app development, IT consulting and managed services is a well-understood activity there and the approvals are routine.
Documents required
Put simply, gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of it & software through an IFZA Offshore company.
- Attested corporate papers if a company will be the shareholder
- Passport copies for each shareholder and director
- A brief description of the intended activities and source of funds
- A bank reference letter or recent bank statement
- Proof of residential address dated within the last three months
- A CV or professional profile for each shareholder
Pricing
For most clients, the figures below for it & software through an IFZA Offshore company are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. All prices for it & software through an IFZA Offshore company are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
- Trade licence & registration
- Upgrade to visas anytime
- GoldenKey full assistance
| Annual renewal | AED 10,000 |
|---|
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-05.
Why the UAE
The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and for that reason so many entrepreneurs choose it as a base for it & software through an IFZA Offshore company. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for it & software through an IFZA Offshore company and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for it & software through an IFZA Offshore company. In our experience, we will tell you plainly if IFZA Offshore is not the right choice for your plan and point you to a better option, even when that option costs less. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for it & software through an IFZA Offshore company happen the same day they are ready.
As we tell every client, tell us about your plans for it & software through an IFZA Offshore company and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can an IFZA Offshore company be set up?
From day one, with complete papers, incorporation usually takes 5 business days.
Is there an audit or tax filing for an IFZA Offshore company?
Most IFZA Offshore companies have no audit requirement, but corporate tax registration and economic substance rules may apply depending on activities. GoldenKey reviews this at incorporation.
Can an IFZA Offshore company trade with UAE customers?
No. Offshore companies trade internationally only. For UAE customers you need a free zone or mainland licence, which GoldenKey can set up alongside the offshore company.
Is it & software allowed in IFZA Offshore?
IT & Software is not a natural fit for {ent} because technology licences are among the simplest to obtain and attract strong banking interest because revenue is contract-based and easy to evidence. {brand} will recommend the jurisdiction where it is licensed without restrictions and explain why.
What approvals does it & software need?
None beyond the licence; data-hosting activities may need TDRA notification. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.


