Expanding from the UK to Dubai, Done Properly
At Lanop, we combine tax-led structuring, licensing, and banking readiness to ensure your Dubai business setup works in practice.
- SRT & HMRC awareness
- Structured choice (Free Zone or Mainland)
- Banking readiness pack
Before you move: 3 things to get right
UK-to-Dubai planning is where most mistakes happen. Lanop builds the UK tax angle into the setup, so you don’t fix problems later.
SRT: ties + days (not days alone)
- Residency depends on your day-count and your UK ties.
- We map your SRT position and guide you on the evidence trail.
UK income doesn’t automatically “switch off”
- Rental income, dividends, director fees, or UK trading links may still need reporting.
- We explain what remains taxable/reportable and how to structure payouts cleanly.
Timing + paperwork affects banking later
- Banks look for a clear story, source-of-funds proof, and coherent activities from day one.
- Lanop prepares a bank-ready documentation pack early, so onboarding doesn’t drag.
Dubai Setup: Fit Check
See if a Dubai setup makes sense to you.
Good fit if you are:
- A UK founder expanding into the UAE
- Looking for a compliant setup with banking readiness
- Needing a clear Free Zone vs Mainland decision based on how you’ll trade
Lanop helps you confirm whether Dubai is the right move for your business, beyond “getting licensed.” We assess your trading model, banking requirements, and the Free Zone vs Mainland decision, so you don’t lock into a structure that causes tax risk, banking delays, or compliance headaches later.
Typical year-one range:
AED 50k–150k+
Visas • office • activity • banking requirements
Get cost breakdown
What a Dubai setup actually costs in year one
Most headline quotes for a business setup in Dubai cover license issuance only.
| Cost Category | Typical Market Range (AED) | What This Actually Includes |
|---|---|---|
| License & Registration | 10,000 – 25,000 | Government and authority fees based on activity, jurisdiction (Free Zone / Mainland), and license type |
| Office Solution | 15,000 – 180,000 | Flexi-desk, co-working, or physical office lease depending on visa count and authority rules |
| Visa (per person) | 4,000 – 7,500 | Entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, stamping |
| Document Legalisation & Attestation | 2,000 – 6,000 | UK document attestation, notarisation, and translation (one-off) |
| Bank Minimum Balance | 25,000 – 100,000 | Capital required by the bank to keep the account active (not a fee, varies by bank) |
| Insurance (Mandatory where applicable) | 2,500 – 12,000 | Health insurance and required cover based on activity and staffing |
| Accounting & Compliance (Year One) | 4,000 – 12,000 | Bookkeeping, financial statements, VAT/UAE CT readiness where required |
| Lanop Advisory & Coordination | Scope-based | Structuring, authority coordination, compliance planning, and banking readiness support |
| Realistic Year-One Total: AED 50,000 – 150,000+ | ||
Year two and ongoing costs (what to expect)
For UK founders running a compliant business setup in Dubai, year-two costs are typically driven by renewals and ongoing compliance, not re-setup.
| Ongoing Item | Typical Annual Range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| License Renewal | 8,000 – 20,000 | Authority renewal fees, varies by Free Zone or Mainland |
| Office Renewal | 15,000 – 180,000 | Flexi-desk or physical office, same structure as year one |
| Visa Renewal (per person) | 3,000 – 6,000 | Emirates ID and visa renewal |
| Accounting & Bookkeeping | 4,000 – 12,000 | Ongoing records, financials, and compliance |
| VAT Compliance (if applicable) | 3,000 – 8,000 | Registration and filings where thresholds are met |
| UAE Corporate Tax Compliance | 3,000 – 10,000 | Registration, return filing, and support |
| Mandatory Insurance | 2,500 – 12,000 | Health and activity-specific cover |
Free Zone or Mainland: choosing the right structure
This decision matters more than most people realise during a business setup in Dubai, because changing structure later can be costly.
Free Zone
Typical advantages
- 100% foreign ownership
- Faster setup in many jurisdictions
- Well suited to services, holding companies
- Predictable authority processes
Practical limitations
- Direct mainland trading usually requires a distributor or mainland entity
- Visa quotas are linked to office type
- Banks may apply stricter onboarding checks depending on activity
Common use cases
Consulting firms, international services, e-commerce exports, IP or holding structures.
Mainland
Typical advantages
- Ability to trade directly with UAE customers
- Greater flexibility for commercial activities
- Broader scope for hiring and expansion
- Stronger perception with local counterparties
Points to plan carefully
- Office space requirements are usually higher
- Compliance obligations are more hands-on
- Structure must align with UK tax and management considerations
Common use cases
UAE-facing service businesses, real estate, contracting, retail, and regulated activities.
How Lanop works: A Structured 3-phase Process
At Lanop, we don’t start with registration. We start with planning.
Each phase is designed to reduce UK risk, avoid rework, and keep banking realistic.
Phase 1: Structure before setup (Weeks 1–2)
What Lanop does
- Understand your activity, customers, and operating model
- Assess Free Zone vs Mainland based on how you will trade
- Review UK management and control risks at a high level
- Sense-check banking risk before any applications are made
You receive
- A clear recommended structure
- A written setup and banking plan
- Realistic cost and timeline expectations
Phase 2: Setup with banking in mind (Weeks 3–8)
What Lanop does
- Coordinate company formation and license issuance
- Manage visa and Emirates ID processing
- Prepare bank-ready documentation and activity wording
- Submit applications to appropriate banks
You receive
- Trade license issued
- Residency process completed or underway
- Bank applications submitted with supporting documentation
Phase 3: Ongoing compliance and support (Month 3+)
What Lanop does
- Put accounting and record-keeping in place
- Handle VAT and UAE Corporate Tax registration where required
- Track renewals, visas, and compliance deadlines
- Provide ongoing advisory support as the business evolves
You receive
- Compliance managed on an ongoing basis
- Fewer surprises at renewal time
- A structure that continues to make sense after launch
How Lanop helps, in practice
Setup is easy to register. A setup that works (UK + UAE) needs proper structure, banking prep, and ongoing compliance.
What usually goes wrong (without proper support)
- Structure chosen for speed, not how you’ll trade
- UK risks missed (management & control, residency ties)
- Visa steps and renewals handled too late
- Banking rejected due to weak documentation
What you get with Lanop (deliverables)
- Structure plan (Free Zone vs Mainland + group setup if needed)
- UK risk review and practical governance plan
- End-to-end setup execution + visa / Emirates ID pathway
- Banking readiness pack + ongoing compliance support (company formation and business setup in Dubai UAE)
Visa types explained
Choosing the Right UAE Visa
Your visa choice affects more than residency. It directly impacts banking approval, tax position, and how long you can stay operational in the UAE.
| Visa Type | Typical Duration | What It Really Requires |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Visa (via your company) | 2–3 years | UAE company sponsorship, medical test, and Emirates ID |
| Green Visa | 2 years | Minimum income threshold and eligibility assessment |
| Golden Visa | 5–10 years | High investment, specialist criteria, or qualifying status |
| Remote Work Visa | 1 year | Overseas employment plus income and contract proof |
- A company-sponsored visa is tied to the company, not the individual
- 90-day entry rules are not the same as visa validity
- Visa type can influence bank risk perception
- Some visas do not support active UAE business operations
At Lanop, visas are planned after structure, not before.
We assess:
- Which visa supports your business activity
- Whether it aligns with banking expectations
Get your activity wording right (before you apply)
Your trade license activity decides what you can invoice for, and how smoothly banking and approvals go.
Bank review friction
Banks often pause applications when the activity is vague or doesn’t match invoices/contracts. Lanop helps you tighten the wording and prepare a clear “what you do” + source-of-funds story banks accept faster.
License scope limits
If the activity doesn’t cover your real services, you can’t legally invoice everything you sell.
Lanop aligns your activities with your current offer and near future expansion, without making it look random.
Amendment cost later
Changing activities after issuance can mean extra fees, paperwork, and delays.
Lanop gets it right upfront, so you avoid reworking and keep your launch timeline on track.
What You Need to Set Up a Business in Dubai
The practical requirements most providers don’t explain
- Business model review
- UK/UAE tax position check
- Residency and substance considerations
- Free Zone vs Mainland decision
- Approved business activities
- Trade license application
- Clear business explanation
- Source-of-funds documentation
- Bank-ready paperwork pack
- Office or flexi-desk requirement
- Ejari / address documentation
- Location aligned with license type
- Owner / employee visa eligibility
- Medical, biometrics, Emirates ID
- Visa linked to license structure
- Corporate tax registration (if required)
- VAT registration (if applicable)
- Accounting & record-keeping setup
Why Lanop starts with UAE market fit
Setting up is quick. Getting consistent enquiries and deals is what needs a plan.
In the UAE, trust is earned through presence and proof.
Trust • Sales cycles • Pricing
- Competitor snapshot + where you’ll actually stand out
- Demand signals + where UAE buyers are really looking
- Go-to-market outline (outreach, partnerships, channels)
Real Expansion Results Delivered by Lanop
Lanop prepared a clean KYC pack and the account opened with minimal back-and-forth.
Lanop aligned activities, invoicing and payments so the business could trade and get paid cleanly.
Lanop set up governance and substance the right way for long-term scaling and compliance.
FAQs:
UK to Dubai Business Setup
1. If I move to Dubai, does UK tax stop automatically?
No. UK tax does not stop just because you relocate. You must pass the Statutory Residence Test (SRT) and properly manage your UK ties. Lanop helps plan this before you move, not after problems arise.
2. Can I keep my UK limited company and set up a Dubai company?
Yes, this is common. However, the structure must be planned carefully to avoid UK tax exposure through management and control. Lanop designs structures that work across both jurisdictions.
3. If I run the Dubai company from the UK, can HMRC tax it as a UK company?
Yes, potentially. If decision-making and control remain in the UK, HMRC may treat the UAE company as UK-tax residents. Lanop helps align operations, governance, and substance to reduce this risk.
4. Do I need to notify HMRC when I leave the UK?
Often, yes. The right route depends on your situation and ongoing UK income. Lanop guides you on what to file, when to file, and what evidence to keep supporting your position.
5. What UK income might still need to report after I move?
Certain UK-linked income (e.g., rental income, dividends, director fees, UK trading ties) may still need reporting. Lanop clarifies what remains taxable/reportable and how to structure payments cleanly.
1. Do I need a UAE visa to own the company or open a bank account?
You can own a UAE company without a visa. However, most banks require at least one UAE-resident signatory. Lanop plans visas and banking together to avoid delays.
2. Why do UAE banks reject new companies so often?
Most rejections happen due to unclear business activity, weak source-of-funds evidence, or lack of substance. Lanop prepares bank-ready documentation upfront to improve approval opportunities.
3. What documents do banks usually ask for during onboarding?
Typically: business explanation, invoices/contracts (if available), source-of-funds proof, shareholder details, and license/visa documents. Lanop builds a clear paperwork pack that matches bank expectations.
4. How long does business bank account opening usually take?
It varies by bank and business model but delays often happen when documents are unclear or activities don’t match the license. Lanop reduces friction by making your application consistent and complete.
5. Can I apply for banking while I’m still in the UK?
In some cases, yes, but many banks still require local residency steps to be completed. Lanop Business and Tax Advisor tell you what can be started early and what must wait, so you don’t waste time.
1. What is the practical difference between Free Zone and Mainland?
Free Zones suit international or online businesses. Mainland structures are often better for local UAE trading. Lanop recommends the option based on how you actually sell, not just headline cost.
2. How do I choose the right business activities for the license?
Activities must match what you sell and invoice for, and they affect banking and approvals. Lanop helps choose wording that is clear, bank-safe, and aligned with your real operations.
3. How long does the company setup process usually take?
Timelines depend on the chosen structure, activity approvals, and whether visas are included.
4. What does a typical Dubai setup cost, and what changes the cost?
Costs depend on Free Zone vs Mainland, number of visas, office requirements, and activity type.
5. Can I set up in Dubai if my clients are still mainly in the UK?
Yes, but structure, contracts, invoicing flow, and where decisions happen matter. Lanop Business and Tax Advisors help you align the setup, so it works commercially and doesn’t create avoidable UK tax risk.
1. How long does the UAE visa process take, and what are the steps?
Typically, 2–4 weeks. It includes entry permit, medical test, biometrics, and Emirates ID. Lanop coordinates this alongside licensing to avoid unnecessary waiting time.
2. Can I sponsor my family, and what should I plan for?
Yes, in most cases, eligibility and timing depend on visa type, salary thresholds (where applicable), and residency steps. Lanop helps you plan the sequence, so sponsorship doesn’t get delayed.
3. When do I need to register for VAT in the UAE?
VAT registration is required once taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000. Lanop assesses this early, so registration is done on time, not reactively.
4. What compliance is required after company formation?
This may include the establishment of cards, labour files, license renewals, corporate tax registration, VAT filings, and accounting setups. Lanop provides ongoing compliance support, not just setup.
5. Do I need accounting records even if I’m not VAT-registered?
Yes. Most businesses still need proper bookkeeping and financial records, and corporate tax rules can still apply. Lanop sets up compliant record-keeping, so you stay audit-ready and bank-ready.
