Plan my setup

FOR UK FOUNDERS

Setting up a Dubai company from the UK.

British founders are one of the largest groups starting companies in Dubai. The process is the same as for everyone else — but a few questions are specifically British. Here is what to think through before you start.

Company Dubai 4 min read

A 3D airplane flying a curved path from a small London scene to a small Dubai skyline, with a sealed company document between them.

The setup, step by step

The order is the same whether you apply from London or from Dubai.

  1. Decide what the company will do. Your activity decides which licence you need and which setups are open to you. This is the same for every nationality — being British neither limits nor speeds up this step.
  2. Choose mainland or free zone. Both are open to UK founders, and you can own 100% of the company in most cases. The right choice depends on your customers and your working setup, not your passport.
  3. Apply for the licence. The licensing authority reviews your application and documents. UK passports are well known to the authorities, and certified copies are usually enough at this stage.
  4. Sort your residency. If you plan to live in Dubai, the company can sponsor your residence visa. If you stay UK-based, you can own the company without residency — but banking and tax need more thought.
  5. Open the business bank account. Banks ask what the company does, who owns it and where money will come from. UK founders should expect questions about the link between the UK and the UAE business.

For the detail behind each step, our guides cover mainland vs free zone, what a setup quote should include and opening a business bank account.

The specifically British questions

Four questions UK founders ask us most often — answered honestly.

Common questions from UK founders
The questionWhat to know
Do I need to move to Dubai?No. You can own a Dubai company while living in the UK. But if you want UAE residency, or want the company to be clearly managed from the UAE, living here makes the picture much cleaner.
What about UK tax?This is the part to take seriously. The UK taxes based on residency, and HMRC has specific rules for people leaving. A Dubai company does not by itself change your UK tax position. Take UK advice before you rely on any saving.
Can I keep my UK company too?Yes, many founders run both. The question is how money, contracts and clients are split between them — that structure is worth planning properly, not improvising.
Do documents need legalisation?Some steps may ask for attested or notarised UK documents. It is a normal, well-trodden process, but it adds time — ask early which documents your setup needs.

How we help UK founders

  • We explain your options in plain English before you pay for anything.
  • We coordinate the agreed work with the relevant specialist providers in Dubai.
  • Everything happens by email and call — no need to fly in before you are ready.
  • We tell you which steps need you in the UAE, so you can plan one trip instead of two.

Government authorities decide on licences and visas, and banks decide on accounts. Our job is to make the process clear and coordinated.

Tell us about your plans.

Tell us about your plans and what you would like help understanding. We’ll reply by email.

What happens next?We read your enquiry and reply by email with any questions and the next steps.
  1. 1. Your plans
  2. 2. Your contact details

Help with: Company formation

Where are you in the process?

Your contact details come next.

Related guides

See all guides