If you're moving your business from the UK to Dubai, there’s a lot you need to know before jumping in. This is not just about forming a company. It’s about making sure you are legally allowed to operate, have the right visa, can open a bank account, and are fully compliant with local regulations.
This page breaks down the core services that every UK entrepreneur will need to settle and succeed in Dubai. Whether you’re a solo founder or running a growing team, everything here applies directly to you.
We’ve helped hundreds of people through this process and built a system that works. Read on to learn about how to navigate prcoess.
This is where every smart move starts. Not with applying for a license or picking a Free Zone, but with asking: What kind of structure actually makes sense for me?
Most UK founders we speak to aren’t sure whether to go for a Free Zone or Mainland setup. And they definitely don’t realise that the wrong choice can limit banking options or even prevent them from hiring staff later on.
One founder we helped, a UK SaaS entrepreneur, initially tried to set up a Free Zone company through an aggregator. Three weeks in, they realised they couldn’t hire the two developers they planned to relocate. We rebuilt their setup through a flexible Free Zone that supported employment visas and a remote lease model — saving them both time and credibility.
This step ends with a clear recommendation:
You know exactly what setup to proceed with, including what it will enable, how long it will take, and what it will cost.
(AED 2,000+ additional if Mainland)
Once the structure is agreed, we move to formal incorporation. Your trade license is the legal proof that your business exists in the UAE. It’s also the document that triggers your ability to apply for a visa, open a bank account, and sign contracts.
We often recommend starting with a one-year license. This keeps renewal fees low and gives you flexibility. But if you’re planning to sponsor a visa or open a bank account, we sometimes advise a 2-year license to smooth those processes with certain banks.
With your business licensed, the next step is to legalize your residency. Without this visa, you can’t open a corporate bank account, rent property, or even get a phone plan in the UAE.
We often recommend starting with a one-year license. This keeps renewal fees low and gives you flexibility. But if you’re planning to sponsor a visa or open a bank account, we sometimes advise a 2-year license to smooth those processes with certain banks.
If you're not planning to live in Dubai full time, some Free Zones allow non-resident ownership — but this limits visa access and can block certain bank approvals.
You can’t operate without a bank account. But UAE banks are selective, and many entrepreneurs waste weeks applying to the wrong one or submitting incomplete documentation.
Some banks can be opened 100% remotely. Others require an in-person meeting. A common issue we fix is founders applying for a bank account before their visa is ready — we time it right to avoid unnecessary rejections.
Your office setup isn’t just about where you sit — it affects license approvals, banking access, and visa eligibility.
Some Free Zones allow full remote operation with a Flexi Desk. Others will reject visa or license renewals unless a physical lease is in place. We make sure your office setup meets all current legal standards.
Getting set up is only half the journey. Staying compliant is where many founders slip up — and the penalties can be serious.
One founder we worked with assumed his Free Zone would remind him to renew. They didn’t. His license lapsed, visa was cancelled, and the bank froze his account. We stepped in, resolved it — but the damage could’ve been avoided.
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