In this guide
The Decision to Relocate: What Changes and What Doesn't
Relocating your business to Dubai is not just opening a company — it's restructuring your entire professional and personal infrastructure. Your company entity, bank accounts, tax residence, health insurance, housing, and daily routine all change.
The good news: for digital businesses, the transition can be remarkably smooth. Your clients don't need to know or care where you're based. Your tools work the same way. Your revenue continues.
The challenge: the process involves multiple government agencies, strict documentation requirements, and a learning curve for local business culture. Most founders underestimate the banking timeline and overestimate how quickly they'll settle in.
This guide covers the complete relocation process — not just the company formation, but everything around it.
Pre-Departure: What to Do Before You Move
The most important work happens before you leave your current country.
Tax Deregistration
Notify your current country's tax authority of your departure. Many countries require formal deregistration and have specific rules about when you cease to be a tax resident. Some countries (France, Germany, Australia) have exit tax provisions that may apply to unrealized capital gains.
Get professional tax advice in your home country BEFORE moving. The cost of a tax consultation ($500–2,000) is negligible compared to the cost of getting this wrong.
Document Preparation
Gather and prepare the following documents before leaving: passport (valid for at least 6 months), attested/apostilled educational certificates, bank reference letters (from your current bank), proof of address in your home country, criminal record certificate (apostilled), passport-sized photos (white background, UAE specification), and marriage certificate if applicable (attested).
Attestation requirements vary by country. For many countries, documents need both local attestation (foreign ministry) and UAE embassy attestation. This process can take 2–4 weeks.
Scouting Trip
We strongly recommend a 1–2 week scouting trip before committing. Visit potential free zones, tour office spaces, meet banks in person, explore neighborhoods, and get a feel for the daily reality. Dubai is different from the Instagram version.
During your scouting trip, Vector can arrange meetings with free zone authorities, banking contacts, and real estate agents.
Month 1: Company Formation and Visa
Once you've decided to proceed, the first month focuses on establishing your legal presence.
Week 1–2: Free Zone Selection and License Application
Choose your free zone based on your business activity, budget, and visa requirements. Submit the license application with all required documents. Most free zones process applications within 3–7 business days once documents are complete.
Your trade license is the foundation of everything else — without it, you can't get a visa or bank account.
Week 2–3: Visa Processing
Once the license is issued, apply for your residence visa. The process involves: entry permit (if outside UAE) or status change (if on a visit visa), medical fitness test at a DHA-approved center, Emirates ID application (biometrics), and visa stamping in your passport.
Total visa processing time: 5–10 business days once initiated. You must be physically in the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
Week 3–4: Emirates ID and Establishment Card
Your Emirates ID is your primary identification document in the UAE — needed for banking, housing, phone contracts, and virtually everything else. It's typically issued within 5–7 business days after biometrics.
The establishment card is your company's equivalent — it identifies your business with the immigration authority.
Month 2: Banking and Operational Setup
With your visa and Emirates ID in hand, you can tackle banking and daily operations.
Corporate Banking (Week 4–8)
Apply for a corporate bank account. This is consistently the most unpredictable step. Prepare: a detailed business plan (2–3 pages covering your business model, clients, and expected transactions), proof of existing business (website, contracts, invoices), source of funds documentation, and expected monthly transaction volumes.
Banks will schedule an in-person meeting, usually 1–2 weeks after application. After the meeting, approval takes 1–4 weeks. Some applications are rejected — having a backup bank in mind is important.
Popular options: Mashreq Neo (faster onboarding), Emirates NBD, ADCB, and RAK Bank for SMEs.
Personal Banking
Opening a personal bank account is generally easier than corporate. Most banks will open a personal account once you have your Emirates ID and proof of income (salary certificate from your own company or contract). Many founders use Liv. by Emirates NBD for a quick digital banking setup while waiting for their main bank account.
Housing
Rental contracts in Dubai are typically annual, with rent paid via postdated checks (usually 1–4 checks for the year). Popular areas for entrepreneurs: Dubai Marina, JLT (close to DMCC), Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and JVC/JVT (more affordable).
Budget: AED 60,000–120,000/year ($16,000–33,000) for a 1-bedroom apartment in a decent area. You'll need your Emirates ID, passport, and visa to sign a lease.
Month 3–4: Settling In and Compliance
By month 3, your company is operational and you're establishing routines.
Ongoing Compliance
UAE corporate tax registration: register with the Federal Tax Authority within 30 days of your license date. VAT registration if revenue exceeds AED 375,000/year. Economic substance reporting may apply depending on your activity.
Vector provides a compliance calendar to keep you on track with all deadlines.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai. Your employer (which is your own company if you're the founder) must provide coverage. Plans range from AED 2,000–10,000/year depending on coverage level. Most free zones require proof of health insurance for visa renewal.
Tax Residency Certificate
If you need a UAE Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) — for example, to claim benefits under a double tax treaty with your home country — you can apply through the Federal Tax Authority after spending 183+ days in the UAE. Processing takes 2–4 weeks.
The Realistic Timeline
From decision to fully operational (company, visa, bank account, housing):
Fastest case: 4–6 weeks (everything goes smoothly, banking approved quickly) Typical case: 8–12 weeks (one banking delay, normal processing times) Worst case: 16+ weeks (banking rejection, document issues, holiday delays)
Ramadan and summer months (July–August) can slow government processing. Plan accordingly.
Ready to Start?
Relocating to Dubai is a significant decision, but the process is well-defined and manageable with the right preparation. Vector handles the execution — company formation, visa processing, bank introductions, and compliance setup — so you can focus on your business.
Our Relocation Readiness Audit ($1,500, credited toward execution) gives you a clear picture of timelines, costs, and requirements before you commit. Check your eligibility to get started.
Ready to take the next step?
Check your eligibility for a free initial assessment, or start with a Relocation Readiness Audit.
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