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Start Your Dubai Business from the UK — 100% Remote Setup
Looking to expand your business horizons? More UK entrepreneurs are choosing Dubai as their business base, and it’s easier than you think. You don’t need to pack your bags or book a flight. We handle everything remotely while you stay in London, Manchester, or wherever you call home.
Here’s what makes it simple:
✅ Own 100% of your company in most Dubai free zones
✅ Complete the entire process remotely from the UK
✅ Get a dedicated Dubai business consultant who speaks your language
✅ Receive help with UAE banking and residence visa options
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard about Dubai’s business advantages. Let’s cut through the noise and give you the real picture.
The tax situation is genuinely attractive: There’s no personal income tax in Dubai. For businesses, Free Zone companies that qualify as “Qualifying Free Zone Persons” (QFZP) can benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income. Note: Non-qualifying income and mainland companies are subject to 9% corporate tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 (approximately £81,000). To maintain 0% tax status, your Free Zone company must meet specific substance and income requirements.
You get instant access to new markets: Dubai sits right between Europe, Asia, and Africa. It’s a natural gateway to the Gulf region and beyond. Many UK business owners use their Dubai company to serve clients across the Middle East and Asia without the complexity of setting up multiple entities.
The setup process is straightforward: Unlike many jurisdictions with red tape and bureaucracy, Dubai has streamlined business registration. Free zones compete for your business, which means better service and clearer processes.
It’s stable and reputable: Dubai has built a solid reputation for business. International banks recognize UAE companies, contracts are enforceable, and the government actively supports foreign entrepreneurs.
You also have flexibility in how you structure your business: Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership and are perfect if you’re running an online business, consultancy, or trading internationally. Mainland companies let you work directly with the UAE market. There’s a setup that fits what you’re trying to build.
Let’s walk through exactly what happens when you decide to register your Dubai company. No jargon, no confusion—just the actual steps.
What will your company do? Consulting, e-commerce, trading, software development, marketing—Dubai has license categories for virtually every business type. We’ll help you pick the right activity codes that match your plans.
This is where you decide between a free zone company, mainland company, or offshore setup. Free zones are popular with UK founders because you get 100% ownership, potential tax benefits, and no need to have a local partner. Mainland gives you access to the entire UAE market directly. We’ll recommend what makes sense for your specific situation.
You pick a name (or three options), and we submit it for approval to the Department of Economic Development or your chosen free zone authority. Usually approved within a day or two.
You’ll send us scanned copies of your passport, a recent utility bill or bank statement as proof of address, your CV, and a bank reference letter. Everything can be emailed or uploaded securely. We’ll review your documents before submission to avoid any delays.
Costs typically start from AED 12,500 (roughly £2,700) depending on your business activity and chosen free zone. We’ll give you exact pricing upfront with no hidden surprises.
Once approved, you’ll get your official trade license—usually within 5 to 7 working days. This is your permission to operate legally in Dubai. We’ll send you the digital copy immediately.
Having a UAE bank account makes everything easier for invoicing, receiving payments, and managing expenses. We’ll assist with bank introductions and handle the paperwork. You may need to visit Dubai for bank account opening, though some banks now offer remote options for certain free zones.
If you want to live in Dubai or visit frequently, you can apply for a residence visa through your company. This typically takes another 2-3 weeks and includes Emirates ID, medical tests, and biometrics. Many UK founders keep their UK residence and just visit Dubai as needed.
Expand your business with confidence. Our Dubai-based experts handle everything from licensing and documentation to bank setup and visas.
Launch your company 100% remotely, with full transparency and dedicated support at every step.
Here’s your simple checklist. These are the documents you’ll need to have ready:
✓ Passport copy of all shareholders and directors (the photo and signature pages)
✓ Proof of UK address — a recent utility bill or bank statement dated within the last three months
✓ Your CV or business profile — a simple overview of your professional background
✓ Bank reference letter or recent bank statement — this shows you’re financially stable
✓ Digital signature or Power of Attorney (if applicable) — if someone will sign documents on your behalf
That’s it. No complex legal paperwork or notarized documents in most cases. We’ll guide you through preparing each document properly.
Let’s talk money. Prices vary depending on what type of company you’re setting up and which free zone you choose, but here’s a realistic breakdown:
| Company Type | Ownership | Cost Range (AED) | Cost Range (GBP) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Zone | 100% foreign owned | 12,000 – 25,000 | £2,600 – £5,400 | E-commerce, consulting, freelancers, online businesses |
| Mainland | Up to 100% foreign owned | 15,000 – 30,000 | £3,200 – £6,500 | Trading within UAE, retail, local services |
| Offshore | 100% foreign owned | 10,000 – 18,000 | £2,100 – £3,900 | Holding companies, asset protection, international trading |
These costs include your license, registration fees, and office space (physical or virtual).
Optional add-ons you might want:
We’ll give you a detailed, itemized quote based on your specific needs. Our pricing is transparent—what we quote is what you pay.
This is important, so let’s be clear about the tax situation when you’re a UK resident with a Dubai company.
In Dubai: There’s no personal income tax. For businesses, the UAE introduced a 9% corporate tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 (about £81,000). Free Zone companies that qualify as QFZP can benefit from 0% tax on qualifying income, but must meet strict substance and income requirements.
The UK-UAE Double Taxation Treaty means you won’t pay tax on the same income in both countries. This treaty protects you from being taxed twice.
If you’re still a UK tax resident: You may need to declare your worldwide income to HMRC. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll pay UK tax on your Dubai income, but you should declare it. The specifics depend on your residency status, how much time you spend in the UK, and where your company is genuinely managed from.
Our advice: Work with a UK accountant who understands international structures. We can recommend specialists who help UK-Dubai business owners stay compliant in both jurisdictions.
For official UK guidance, visit: GOV.UK – Living in the UAE
We’ve helped over 1,000 UK entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners establish their Dubai presence. Here’s why they chose us:
✅ We’ve been doing this for over 10 years: We’ve seen every scenario, solved every problem, and we know exactly how to navigate the system efficiently.
✅ You get a dedicated English-speaking consultant: No call centers, no ticket systems. You’ll have a direct contact who knows your case and answers your questions quickly.
✅ We partner with leading Dubai free zones including Meydan, IFZA, RAKEZ, Shams, and more. This means we can compare options and find the best fit for your business type and budget.
✅ Our pricing is completely transparent: The quote we give you upfront is the price you pay. No hidden fees, no surprise charges, no add-ons you didn’t agree to.
✅ We handle the boring parts remotely: Document preparation, government submissions, follow-ups, translations—we manage all of it while you focus on your business.
✅ Real support beyond registration: Need help opening a bank account? Applying for visas? Understanding compliance requirements? We’re here after your license is issued with our ongoing PRO services.
Don’t just take our word for it. We have a 4.8-star Google rating and testimonials from UK founders who’ve built successful businesses through our service.
Yes, absolutely. The entire process can be completed remotely from the UK. You’ll need to provide documents electronically, and we handle all submissions to the Dubai authorities on your behalf. The only time you might need to visit Dubai is for opening certain bank accounts or completing visa biometrics, though remote options are becoming more available.
Costs start from around AED 12,000 (£2,600) for a free zone company and can go up to AED 30,000 (£6,500) for mainland setups. The exact cost depends on your business activity, chosen free zone or emirate, office requirements, and how many visas you need. We provide detailed quotes with no hidden fees.
No, you don’t need to live in Dubai or even visit to register your company. Many UK business owners maintain their UK residence and operate their Dubai company remotely. If you want to live in Dubai, you can apply for a residence visa through your company, but it’s completely optional.
You’ll need a passport copy, proof of UK address (utility bill or bank statement), your CV, and a bank reference letter. All documents can be submitted electronically. We’ll review everything before submission to ensure it meets requirements.
Yes, UK residents can own 100% of a company in Dubai free zones and, as of recent reforms, also in mainland Dubai for most business activities. You don’t need a local Emirati partner or sponsor for free zone companies.
From submitting your complete documents to receiving your trade license typically takes 5 to 7 working days. If you need residence visas and bank accounts, the full process takes about 3 to 4 weeks. We keep you updated at every stage.
You’ve got the information. You understand the process. Now it’s time to take the next step.
We’ll handle your registration, licensing, and banking setup—all remotely from the UK. No complicated forms, no confusing procedures, no wasted time.
Join thousands of global founders who launched their UAE companies with us. From licensing to banking , we handle it all.
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