Expertise   »   Corporate   »   Off-Shore Companies

Offshore companies are similar to free zone companies. An offshore company is a company which operations are not handled in the country of its incorporation and offshore owners are non-residents of the country. With the benefit of tax-free business owned by foreigners at the heart, offshore incorporation is one of the best known and most efficient ways of tax planning.

Helene Mathieu Legal Consultants are the representative office, for the entire Gulf region, of Mossack Fonseca & Co. one of the worldwide leading agents for offshore establishments.

We specialize in the incorporation and administration of offshore companies in the following jurisdictions:
  • British Virgin Islands
  • the Bahamas
  • Republic of Panama
  • British Anguilla
  • Nevada, U.S.A.
  • Hong Kong
  • Seychelles
  • Samoa

Where such companies are known as International Business Companies (IBCs) as well as in Panama where they are known as Sociedades Anonimas (Corporations).

We can assist in the incorporation of new companies or provide shelf companies duly attested in 24 hours.

Apart from incorporating offshore companies for individuals, we provide extremely beneficial and highly competitive packages to our Professional Clients including auditing and accounting agencies, companies and banks, where they enter into a retainer agreement with us and purchase/incorporate offshore companies on a regular basis.

Some of the advantages of offshore companies incorporated through HMLC:
  • Offshore companies are not subject to any form of taxation, assessment or levy in the jurisdiction of their incorporation (except for payment of a fixed Annual License Fee). Consequently, they do not pay any taxes for transactions carried out outside their territory of registry. Dividends generated by an offshore company and received by other companies are also exempted from all forms of taxation.
  • All corporate information is confidential.
  • Offshore companies are not required by law, even if they have a branch in a UAE Free Zone, to file annual income tax returns or financial reports.
  • There is no legal requirement as to minimum or maximum permitted company assets, nor is there any legal obligation to pay all or part of the authorized capital.
  • No compulsory annual meeting of the Board of Directors or Shareholders.
  • Directors, Officers and shareholders may be natural persons or corporate bodies, of any nationality and domicile, with no limitations as to their number and no obligation to be registered at the Public Registry.
  • Members of the Board of Directors need not be shareholders. In some cases, Helene Mathieu Legal Consultants offers the services of nominee Directors.
  • Shareholders and Directors may be remunerated by the company and may enter into contracts with the company.
  • Shareholders and Directors may hold meetings in any part of the world and may be represented by proxy.
  • Offshore companies may freely issue general or special Power of Attorney.
  • Corporate and Accounting books may be kept within or outside the country of registry at the discretion of Board of Directors.
  • Oversees companies may re-domicile or continue as International Business Companies in the British Virgin Islands or the Bahamas, following simple re-domiciliation procedures.

HMLC provides a full-service package for the incorporation of offshore companies, including:

  • Obtaining relevant approvals for the name and the activity of the Company from the respective authorities;
  • Advice on, assistance in completing and getting all your corporate documents notarised, legalised and attested up to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if required);
  • Assistance in opening of Company bank account within UAE;
  • Assistance in applying for and obtaining visas for the employees of the Company; and
  • Any other Legal assistance required for incorporation of the Company.

Note: All the above formalities and procedures are subject to the approval of the relevant regulatory authorities for registration of the Company.

Click here to learn why you should choose to incorporate a company in an offshore zone.