Relocating from London to Dubai.
British founders and executives are the largest single group arriving in Dubai from Europe, and the reasons are consistent: the abolition of non-dom status, corporation tax at 25%, and capital gains treatment that makes an exit expensive. The move is rarely a clean break — most keep a UK company, UK property, or both, which is where the structuring question actually starts.
What matters specifically for the UK
Statutory Residence Test and the day-count that determines whether HMRC still treats you as resident. Temporary non-residence rules that claw back gains if you return within five years. Whether the UK company becomes a subsidiary, is wound down, or continues with UK directors. National Insurance and pension contributions.
The sequence that works
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Structure decision — before anything is registered | 1–2 weeks |
| Document attestation in the UK | up to 6 weeks, in parallel |
| Company formation | 1–3 weeks |
| Residency for the principal | 3–6 weeks |
| Corporate bank account | 2–8 weeks |
| Dependants' visas | 3–5 weeks each, partly parallel |
| Housing, schools, practical layer | runs throughout |
| Total | 3–6 months |
Documents to start with
Apostilled birth and marriage certificates (UK apostille takes 1–2 weeks via FCDO), DBS check where required, degree certificates for the professional visa route.
Practical
7 hours direct between London and Dubai. UAE is 3 hours ahead in summer, 4 in winter, so the overlap with the working day is comfortable in both directions — relevant if you keep interests in both places, which most people do.
What I do
- Design the structure before anything is registered, working backwards from banking and tax
- Coordinate with your existing advisors at home rather than around them
- Start attestation first, because it is the one step that cannot be compressed
- Select the free zone on banking reception and visa quota, not on licence price
- Prepare the banking file so it answers compliance questions before they are asked
- Manage the practical layer: housing, schools, healthcare, staff, vehicles, shipping, pets
From AED 120,000
Full relocation of a family with a business. The exact fee depends on structure, number of dependants and scope. Government fees, free zone charges and third-party costs are separate.
Common questions
How long does relocating from London to Dubai take?
Three to six months for a complete move including company, residency for the whole family, banking, housing and schools. The company takes days; the bank account and school placements set the real timeline. Document attestation in your home country runs in parallel and takes up to six weeks.
What are the the UK-specific issues?
Statutory Residence Test and the day-count that determines whether HMRC still treats you as resident. Temporary non-residence rules that claw back gains if you return within five years. Whether the UK company becomes a subsidiary, is wound down, or continues with UK directors. National Insurance and pension contributions.
What documents do I need from home before leaving?
Apostilled birth and marriage certificates (UK apostille takes 1–2 weeks via FCDO), DBS check where required, degree certificates for the professional visa route. Start this before anything else — it cannot be accelerated from Dubai.
How much does the move cost?
Government and third-party costs for a family of four typically run AED 60,000–150,000 depending on the free zone, housing and schooling. Coordination of a full relocation starts at AED 120,000. Qualifying property investment, if the residency route is property-based, is capital that stays yours.
Can I keep my business at home and still relocate?
Yes, and many do. The question is whether the home entity remains the operating company or becomes a subsidiary, and what that means for tax residency in both jurisdictions. Decide before the UAE company is registered, not after.
Practical details — flights and time zone?
7 hours direct between London and Dubai. UAE is 3 hours ahead in summer, 4 in winter, which makes working across both straightforward.
Reviewed by Denis Chernikov, Private Client Advisor, nine years in the UAE private client sector.
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