Moving your company to the UAE usually means setting up a UAE entity and migrating your operations, team and clients into it — not literally shipping the old company across. Here's how it works, what it costs, the timeline, and how we handle the whole move.
Relocating pays off when the UAE genuinely improves your tax, market access or lifestyle — not as a paper move.
An illustrative starting point to establish the UAE entity your business moves into. Your total depends on:
We map your current structure first, then send a written plan and quote — entity, visas, office and banking — before you commit.
Split payments Setup fees can be paid in instalments with Tamara. Your advisor confirms eligibility and terms with your quote.
| Free Zone | Mainland | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% (some strategic-impact activities still require Emirati participation) |
| Trade inside the UAE | UAE clients per rules / via distributor | Anywhere + government |
| Setup from | AED 6,000 | AED 15,000 |
| Office | Flexi-desk ok | Physical office |
| Best for | Services, trading, holding | UAE market & big local teams |
In short: most relocating founders start in a free zone (100% ownership, lean cost, fast) and move to mainland only if they need to sell directly to the UAE market or government, or run a large local team. We match the base to how you actually earn.
In most cases you set up a new UAE company and migrate your operations, team and clients into it. Some offshore jurisdictions also allow redomiciliation (moving the legal entity itself). We'll advise which route fits — the practical result is the same: your business runs from the UAE.
Establishing the UAE entity and your first visas typically takes two to four weeks once documents are ready. Migrating clients, contracts and banking runs alongside and can take a little longer depending on your setup.
The UAE entity itself starts from around AED 15,000 for mainland (often less in a free zone), plus visas, office and banking. We send a full written plan and quote for your specific structure before you commit.
Possibly. Many countries have exit taxes or keep taxing you until you properly become non-resident. UAE tax is low, but your home-country rules still matter — so we always recommend cross-border tax advice alongside the move.
Not always. Many free zones allow a flexi-desk, which is enough for a lean services business. Mainland and larger teams usually need a physical office. We match the requirement to your visa count and activity.
Yes. Your UAE company can sponsor staff onto work visas, and you can sponsor your family once you hold your own residency. We handle both alongside the company setup.
Ask AgentBiz about your specific move, or talk to a human advisor. Real requirements, honest guidance, no obligation.
