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Take your business from Dubai to the world

Tap into strategic international markets with the right offshore company structure. Our team can help you expand your business to key jurisdictions like Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands.

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Key benefits of setting up an international entity

Setting up an offshore entity can help you expand into new markets, manage risk, improve business continuity, and create a more efficient structure for your global business activities.

Depending on your chosen jurisdiction, your entity can be used for holding assets, managing investments, supporting commercial activities, creating SPVs, entering new markets, or building a corporate structure that supports long-term international growth.

Who should consider setting up an overseas company?

An international entity is ideal for business owners, investors, founders and companies looking to expand beyond their home market, enter strategic jurisdictions, hold assets, manage investments or create dedicated structures for specific projects.

It is also suitable for businesses that need a legal presence in a key market, such as Saudi Arabia or Hong Kong, or a recognised offshore structure for holding companies, SPVs, investment vehicles, joint ventures, or cross-border arrangements.

International Investors

Asset & Property Holders

Family Offices and Wealth Managers

Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Sponsors

Cross-Border Entrepreneurs and Consultants

Strategic international jurisdictions for business expansion

Singapore

A well-established international business centre, known for its strong regulatory framework, reputation, and practical suitability for trading, service, and holding structures.
  • Globally recognised and business-friendly jurisdiction
  • Broad range of permitted commercial activities
  • Strong legal and regulatory environment
  • Practical base for regional expansion into Asia
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Hong Kong

A popular jurisdiction for private limited companies due to its territorial tax system, established legal framework, strong global reputation, and suitability for international businesses.
  • Leading international business centre
  • Straightforward private limited company structure
  • Established banking, legal, and professional ecosystem
  • Suitable for a broad range of commercial activities, subject to licensing where relevant
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Saudi Arabia

A major regional market commonly used for operating businesses that require local presence, market access, and commercial activity inside the country.
  • Access to one of the Middle East’s largest markets
  • Suitable for businesses requiring local operations
  • Broad scope for commercial and service activities
  • Practical jurisdiction for clients with growth plans in Saudi Arabia
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British Virgin Islands

A renowned offshore jurisdiction commonly used for holding companies, SPVs, investment vehicles, joint ventures, and international structures.
  • Investor-friendly corporate framework
  • Flexible company structures
  • Ideal for international holding, investment, and transaction arrangements
  • Tax-neutral jurisdiction
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Cayman Islands

A leading offshore jurisdiction for exempted company structures, holding vehicles, SPVs, joint ventures, and other cross-border arrangements.
  • Established legal framework
  • Flexibility for cross-border structures
  • Suitable for holding, investment, and transaction arrangements
  • No direct taxes on income, capital gains, or inheritance
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What’s included in our offshore entity setup services

The costs for setting up an overseas company depend on your chosen jurisdiction and service needs. Government fees vary and additional services such as bank account opening, bookkeeping, auditing, compliance and treasury can affect the total cost. This list may vary depending on the jurisdiction.

What’s included:
  • Government registration fees (license issuance)
  • Official incorporation documents (Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum & Articles)
  • Registered office address in UAE
  • Bank account opening support

Why choose Virtuzone for your offshore entity setup?

Setting up an offshore entity means navigating both local regulations and international compliance requirements.

With our experts guiding your overseas company setup, you can navigate the process smoothly and ensure your entity is structured to meet all relevant legal and compliance requirements.

As part of Ascentium, we offer exclusive access to a global network designed to support your business across borders:

  • 65,000+ client entities worldwide
  • 250+ local team members speaking 40+ languages
  • 2,900+ professionals supporting clients globally
  • International reach covering 58 cities across 27 markets
  • On-the-ground presence in strategic offshore jurisdictions
  • Access to integrated corporate solutions, such as multi-country payroll, cross-border compliance and offshore banking

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Leave your details and our advisors will guide you through the offshore company setup process in the UAE.

Trusted by 80,000+ customers, 17+ years in company formation, 250+ experts ready to help

Your 5-Step Guide to Offshore Setup

Here’s how the offshore company formation process works from start to finish:

  1. 1
    Incorporation of the Entity

    Support with preparing and submitting the required documentation to establish your company in the selected jurisdiction.

  2. 2
    Government Registration & Statutory Filings

    Assistance with the required registration steps and standard statutory filings related to incorporation.

  3. 3
    Registered Office & Service Provider Coordination

    Support for registered office arrangements and coordination with relevant service providers where required.

  4. 4
    Annual Maintenance Support

    Assistance with standard post-incorporation obligations to help keep your entity in good standing.

  5. 5
    Economic Substance Considerations

    High-level review of ongoing economic substance considerations where relevant to the jurisdiction and structure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Our team of experts fields common questions from people all over the globe about company formation in the UAE.

What is an offshore or overseas company?
An offshore or overseas company is a legal entity established outside your main home market. Depending on the jurisdiction and structure, it can support international trading, holding assets, managing investments, creating SPVs, entering new markets, or building a corporate structure for long-term cross-border growth.
Which jurisdiction should I choose for my international company setup?
The right jurisdiction depends on your business activity, ownership structure, target markets, banking requirements, tax position and compliance needs. Singapore and Hong Kong are commonly considered for Asia-facing operations. Saudi Arabia is typically used for businesses that need local presence and commercial activity in the Kingdom. BVI and the Cayman Islands are commonly used for holding structures, investment vehicles, SPVs, joint ventures and other cross-border arrangements.
What are the main benefits of setting up an international entity?
An international entity can help you reach new markets, separate assets or activities, improve business continuity, and support a more efficient global structure. The benefits depend on the jurisdiction, intended activity and the way the company is managed after incorporation.
Can an offshore company help improve tax efficiency?
Yes, the right international corporate structure can help improve tax efficiency, but it should not be treated as a one-size-fits-all tax solution. Tax exposure should be assessed in the jurisdictions where the business operates, assets are located, income is generated, and owners or shareholders are tax resident. Substance, reporting and anti-avoidance rules should also be reviewed before choosing a structure.
Is Singapore a good jurisdiction for company setup in 2026?
Singapore remains a strong option for regional operations, international trading, consulting, services and Asia-focused business structures. It is known for its strong regulatory framework and business-friendly environment. Companies are generally taxed on income sourced in Singapore or received in Singapore from outside the country, and the corporate income tax rate is currently 17%.
What are the main compliance requirements for a Singapore company?
A Singapore company usually requires at least one locally resident director, a local company secretary, a registered office, annual return filings with ACRA, corporate tax filings with IRAS, and XBRL filing where required. Additional support such as bookkeeping, GST compliance, accounting, finance or treasury services may be needed depending on the business model and transaction volume.
Is Hong Kong suitable for international trading and Asia-facing operations?
Hong Kong is a practical option for international trading, regional headquarters, consulting, services and Asia-facing operating entities. Hong Kong applies a territorial source principle, which means only profits sourced in Hong Kong are generally taxable. The two-tier profits tax rate for corporations is currently 8.25% on the first HKD 2 million of assessable profits and 16.5% on the remainder.
What ongoing compliance does a Hong Kong company need?
A Hong Kong private company usually needs annual return filing, company secretary support, statutory books and records, Significant Controllers Register support, profits tax return filing and statutory audit where required. A local private company with share capital must generally deliver its annual return within 42 days after the anniversary of incorporation.
When should a business set up a company in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia is typically considered when a business needs local presence, market access and on-the-ground commercial activity inside the Kingdom. It may be suitable for regional operating entities, trading, contracting, services and other expansion plans linked to Saudi Arabia.
What taxes should be considered when setting up in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia is an onshore operating jurisdiction, so businesses should assess corporate income tax, Zakat, VAT, withholding tax, payroll, audit and local compliance requirements. As a general reference, corporate income tax is commonly 20% on the net adjusted profits of the non-Saudi share, Zakat is charged at 2.5% of the Zakat base, withholding tax can apply at rates between 5% and 20%, and the standard VAT rate is 15%.
What is a BVI company commonly used for?
A BVI Business Company is commonly used for holding companies, SPVs, investment vehicles, joint ventures and international structures. BVI is generally considered a tax-neutral jurisdiction, but the company should still be assessed for tax and reporting obligations in the countries where it operates, holds assets, earns income or has tax-resident owners.
What ongoing compliance does a BVI company need?
A BVI company typically needs a registered agent and registered office, statutory filings, director and beneficial ownership particulars where applicable, annual maintenance support, financial annual return filing with its registered agent unless exempt, and economic substance analysis where relevant.
What is a Cayman Islands exempted company commonly used for?
A Cayman Islands exempted company is commonly used for holding vehicles, SPVs, joint ventures, investment structures and other cross-border arrangements. Cayman is a tax-neutral jurisdiction with no income, corporate, capital gains, inheritance or property taxes, but entities still need to assess annual maintenance, filing and economic substance requirements where applicable.
Do offshore companies need economic substance?
In many cases, economic substance needs to be reviewed after incorporation. The exact position depends on the jurisdiction, entity type and whether the company carries on a relevant activity. BVI and Cayman structures should be assessed for economic substance reporting and ongoing substance obligations where relevant.
What is included in Virtuzone’s overseas company setup support?
Virtuzone can support the incorporation process, government registration, statutory filings, registered office or service provider coordination, annual maintenance, compliance support and high-level economic substance considerations where relevant. The exact scope depends on the selected jurisdiction and service package.
How much does it cost to set up an offshore or overseas company?
The total cost depends on the jurisdiction, company type, government fees, professional fees, registered office or registered agent requirements, annual compliance, banking support, bookkeeping, audit, payroll, tax compliance and any additional services required. Government fees and annual obligations can vary, so a final quote should be based on your chosen jurisdiction and intended business activity.
How can I start my international company setup with Virtuzone?
Start by choosing the jurisdiction that best fits your expansion plan, ownership structure and business activity. Virtuzone can then guide you through the required documents, incorporation steps, government filings, post-incorporation compliance and ongoing support needed to keep your overseas entity in good standing.

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