Many UK entrepreneurs considering life in Dubai wonder whether they can simply pay themselves from their UK limited company while residing in the UAE on a Remote Work Visa. The short answer: yes, it’s possible — but only if you meet specific income documentation and legal separation requirements. The Dubai Remote Work Visa (or Virtual Working Programme) is designed for professionals who work for foreign entities and want to live in Dubai without forming a UAE business. If you're a UK director who pays yourself a regular salary (PAYE) or draws dividends as part of a clearly structured compensation plan, you may qualify. However, the salary must appear consistent, formal, and ideally be supported by payslips, tax filings, and bank statements — even if you're technically paying yourself. This visa is not intended for founders looking to trade or invoice in the UAE. You must keep your business and income fully foreign-facing. Personal residency does not entitle you to operate a business in the UAE, nor does it allow you to open a corporate bank account. That said, it’s a viable path for founders who want to relocate for lifestyle reasons without disrupting UK tax and business structures.
• Many don't know they can legally pay themselves while in Dubai on a UK salary.
• To qualify, your compensation must be consistent and documented.
• Misinterpreting visa limits on business operations can lead to penalties.
• Selecting the right bank in Dubai is crucial for seamless financial operations.
.png){kind=icon}
Yes, UK founders can legally pay themselves a salary or dividends from their UK company while living in Dubai, provided they meet specific income documentation and legal requirements.
UK entrepreneurs need a Dubai Remote Work Visa, designed for professionals working for foreign entities, to live in Dubai without establishing a UAE business.
Yes, founders cannot operate a business within the UAE, issue local invoices, sponsor staff, or open a UAE business bank account under the Remote Work Visa.
Founders can open personal bank accounts but not business accounts; banks like Liv., ADCB Hayyak, and Emirates Islamic are receptive to Remote Work Visa holders for personal banking.
Initial costs range between AED 2,300–3,500 plus AED 1,100–1,400 for Emirates ID and medical tests, with annual renewal fees around AED 3,000–4,000, depending on admin charges.
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.dubaitax.pro/blog/uk-founders-paying-themselves-dubai-living" }, "headline": "How UK Founders Can Pay Themselves While Living in Dubai", "description": "Explore how UK founders can pay themselves from their UK business while living in Dubai, navigating visa and banking requirements.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Junayd Moughal" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Dubai Tax Pro", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67c609e152d7aeccedef0a5b/682eec6c32832cda79edd729_Untitled%20design%20-%202025-05-22T102001.442.png" } }, "datePublished": "2025-05-13", "articleBody": "What solo UK founders often get wrong about moving to DubaiA UK tech agency founder relocated to Dubai under the Remote Work Visa. She paid herself monthly via PAYE, submitted payslips, HMRC tax filings, and bank statements. After moving, she opened a personal account with Liv. and continued working remotely for UK and US clients without touching the UAE market. Her company remained tax-resident in the UK. Operating a business, issuing UAE invoices, or sponsoring staff is not allowed. Attempting to use the visa for commercial gain within the UAE violates the conditions and may result in cancellation or penalties. You can open a personal UAE bank account under this visa, but not a business account. Since the visa does not come with a trade license, you’re restricted from establishing any commercial entity or account locally.Here’s what actually happens when you set upThe initial visa application and income verification can all be completed online. Once approved, you must travel to Dubai to finish medical tests, biometric registration, and collect your Emirates ID. The entire process typically takes 10–14 business days from submission to receiving your Emirates ID, assuming there are no issues with insurance, income documentation, or tenancy registration. No trade license is issued, but you must hold valid UAE health insurance and a tenancy contract for Emirates ID approval. This visa route doesn’t involve setting up a business in Dubai. It’s personal in nature and structured for those working for a foreign employer — including your own company — but does not permit company formation or issuing invoices in the UAE.Common traps that delay or block your setupThe most common issues occur when the applicant doesn’t clearly separate personal and business activity, or submits self-issued documents without proper proof of income (e.g. unaudited payslips, missing tax records). You can open a personal UAE bank account under this visa, but not a business account. Since the visa does not come with a trade license, you’re restricted from establishing any commercial entity or account locally. Operating a business, issuing UAE invoices, or sponsoring staff is not allowed. Attempting to use the visa for commercial gain within the UAE violates the conditions and may result in cancellation or penalties. These mistakes can cost founders time, money, and potentially legal trouble. A typical moment of realization comes when bank applications are rejected or visa conditions misunderstood.The detail most people only learn after they’ve movedThis is a personal residency visa, not linked to any business license. You are not permitted to carry out commercial activity, import goods, or register a brand in the UAE under this visa. Liv., ADCB Hayyak, and Emirates Islamic are most receptive to Remote Work Visa holders for personal accounts. They do not offer business banking unless you upgrade to a licensed entity. Avoid applying for SME accounts under this visa. This inside information is often unknown until after relocation, making early banking research crucial.How to choose the setup that matches your situationInitial costs include AED 2,300–3,500 for visa processing plus AED 1,100–1,400 for Emirates ID and medical test fees. No trade license or office lease is needed. Annual renewal fees mirror first-year costs — expect to pay AED 3,000–4,000 depending on admin charges and updated health insurance. Reapplication of documents may be required. Once approved, this visa grants you UAE residency and an Emirates ID, allowing you to rent accommodation, register for utilities, and live in Dubai legally. You are not permitted to conduct business under this structure. It's essential for UK founders to understand these costs and restrictions to select the visa setup that best matches their situation, whether testing the waters from the UK or fully relocating.Ensuring Your Success in DubaiThis Dubai Remote Work Visa setup is ideal for UK founders and entrepreneurs wanting to enjoy Dubai's lifestyle while keeping their business operations rooted in the UK. The key to making it work lies in understanding the visa's limits on local business activities, choosing the right bank for personal finance management, and ensuring all income documentation meets UAE requirements. Key decision points include visa selection, banking arrangements, flexibility around where and how you work, and assessing long-term potential for your business structure. This article is not financial advice. Book a call if you'd like a tailored consultation."}
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://www.dubaitax.pro/blog/uk-founders-paying-themselves-dubai-living#faq-1", "name": "Can UK founders pay themselves from their UK company while living in Dubai?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, UK founders can legally pay themselves a salary or dividends from their UK company while living in Dubai, provided they meet specific income documentation and legal requirements." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://www.dubaitax.pro/blog/uk-founders-paying-themselves-dubai-living#faq-2", "name": "What type of visa do UK entrepreneurs need to live in Dubai while working for their UK business?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "UK entrepreneurs need a Dubai Remote Work Visa, designed for professionals working for foreign entities, to live in Dubai without establishing a UAE business." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://www.dubaitax.pro/blog/uk-founders-paying-themselves-dubai-living#faq-3", "name": "Are there any restrictions for UK founders living in Dubai with the Remote Work Visa?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, founders cannot operate a business within the UAE, issue local invoices, sponsor staff, or open a UAE business bank account under the Remote Work Visa." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://www.dubaitax.pro/blog/uk-founders-paying-themselves-dubai-living#faq-4", "name": "What banking options are available to UK founders with a Dubai Remote Work Visa?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Founders can open personal bank accounts but not business accounts; banks like Liv., ADCB Hayyak, and Emirates Islamic are receptive to Remote Work Visa holders for personal banking." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://www.dubaitax.pro/blog/uk-founders-paying-themselves-dubai-living#faq-5", "name": "What are the initial and annual renewal costs for the Dubai Remote Work Visa?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Initial costs range between AED 2,300–3,500 plus AED 1,100–1,400 for Emirates ID and medical tests, with annual renewal fees around AED 3,000–4,000, depending on admin charges." } } ]}
.png)
