For UK enterprise homeowners setting their sights on shifting overseas, analysis by the Monetary Occasions revealed that the United Arab Emirates is the nation that’s attracting essentially the most administrators relocating from the UK.
And when stats between 2023 vs 2025, it appears that evidently the variety of individuals heading East is barely going up yr on yr.
Why Is The UAE So Enticing To Enterprise House owners?
Over the previous 10 years, the UAE has grown right into a magnet for entrepreneurs and buyers. There are just a few key causes for this:
- No revenue tax and low company tax, making it some of the business-friendly locations on the planet.
- An amazing location, located between Europe and Asia.
- Security and stability, with one of many lowest crime charges on the planet, making it a sexy place to arrange a enterprise and reside long-term.
- Excessive funding in infrastructure and development, making it a contemporary nation with plenty of facilities.
What Are The UAE’s Prime Enterprise Hubs?
The United Arab Emirates is a rustic within the Center East that could be a assortment of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah.
While Abu Dhabi is the capital, Dubai has grown into essentially the most well-known as a result of its booming vacationer trade, large enterprise centre and recognition with expats.
Dubai can also be dwelling to the Dubai Worldwide Monetary Centre, which makes it a hub for companies within the area. No shock then that it’s the Emirate that so many individuals set their websites on shifting to.
Is It Straightforward To Transfer To The UAE?
Sure, it’s really comparatively straightforward to maneuver to The UAE! The nation has a golden visa scheme which offers 5 to 10 years of residency for many who meet sure funding thresholds.
An enormous perk of the Emirati golden visa is the dearth of sponsorship wanted, which means entrepreneurs can apply and get accepted with out assist from some other enterprise.
However while the UAE makes residency straightforward, establishing a enterprise there additionally comes with its challenges.
To assist present some recommendation round establishing a enterprise within the UAE, we requested some founders for his or her high ideas.
Right here’s what they needed to say:
Our Specialists
- Asha Sherwood, UAE Entrepreneur; Founder & CEO of Abu Dhabi Overview
- Ananda Shakespeare, Founder and CEO of Shakespeare Communications
- Brian Edelman, Chief Funding Officer (CIO) at Rain Stella Applied sciences (RST)
- Rui Liu, Chairman and Founding father of LEOS Developments
- Michael Hunter, CEO and Co-Founding father of Holo
Asha Sherwood, UAE Entrepreneur; Founder & CEO of Abu Dhabi Overview
“Constructing a enterprise within the UAE is a novel expertise – there are days when issues transfer tremendous fast, and others when progress feels slower. In my expertise as a media proprietor, I discover that we additionally need to adapt consistently to new guidelines and necessities from the authorities, which may really feel difficult at instances. However these adjustments have additionally pushed me to be resilient, artistic, and open to doing issues otherwise.
“My media platform Abu Dhabi Overview (ADR) is absolutely self-funded. There was by no means exterior monetary backing – it’s simply grown this manner, step-by-step. That independence has meant the platform has developed authentically and stayed true to its imaginative and prescient. Each achievement, from constructing an engaged group to internet hosting reside occasions, looks like an actual milestone as a result of it’s been constructed from the bottom up. In a comparatively male-dominated trade, I’m additionally proud to say ADR is female-owned and led.
“What I’ve learnt right here is that success isn’t about chasing fast wins. It comes from consistency, adaptability, and constructing belief with the group you serve. The UAE is a spot that welcomes ambition and rewards those that maintain exhibiting up. My recommendation could be to embrace the challenges, as they typically develop into the very issues that make your online business stronger.”
Ananda Shakespeare, Founder and CEO of Shakespeare Communications
“It’s pretty fast and straightforward to arrange a enterprise within the UAE, but when it’s your first time, it’s at all times a good suggestion to hunt assist. There’s a plethora of firm arrange companies – designed to ease the method of firm arrange. However you’ll want to take testimonials or steerage on these companies – they don’t seem to be created equal.
“Communicate to CEOs like me, who’ve arrange a enterprise and may really helpful trusted firm formation specialists to swimsuit all varieties of corporations.
“You’ll want authorized and accountancy assist – once more, communicate to friends, pals and different enterprise homeowners to find who’s match for you and your online business.
“Whereas there may be a lot you are able to do remotely, enterprise right here remains to be all about constructing belief in particular person over espresso, and so on. As soon as the corporate is fashioned, you and your group will want residence/ employment visas. There are lots of differing kinds, so do search skilled recommendation.
“Additionally, you will want medical insurance coverage for your self and your group. It needs to be acceptable and efficient, so once more, take recommendation and store round.
As soon as arrange, you’ll must do plenty of in-person networking to construct your skilled and private life. And you’ll construct a rewarding one, I’m positive. A whole lot of laborious work is required, however should you’re versatile and perceive the enterprise tradition, you’ll seemingly soar right here!”
Brian Edelman, Chief Funding Officer (CIO) at Rain Stella Applied sciences (RST)
“As a U.S. founder who just lately relocated my firm to the UAE, I’ve discovered that constructing a profitable enterprise right here isn’t nearly scale. It’s about contribution. The UAE rewards corporations that align innovation with objective, advancing nationwide priorities whereas creating lasting worth for individuals and programs.
“At Rain Stella Applied sciences, meaning creating AI and digital well being options designed not solely to carry out globally however to serve the area’s distinctive healthcare ambitions. We create domestically grounded AI and interoperable well being infrastructure that match the UAE’s wants whereas remaining versatile sufficient to assist hospitals, clinicians, and sufferers throughout the broader MEA area. The nation’s mixture of AI ambition, information high quality, and rigorous compliance requirements creates a unprecedented surroundings, encouraging daring considering whereas demanding accountability and measurable affect.
“Success right here lies in placing that steadiness: being visionary sufficient to push boundaries, but grounded sufficient to combine seamlessly into native programs. When corporations embrace that mindset and construct with the ecosystem in thoughts, they not solely develop within the UAE and the area, they assist strengthen them within the course of.”
Rui Liu, Chairman and Founding father of LEOS Developments
“Constructing a profitable enterprise within the UAE begins with understanding the nation’s distinctive mixture of financial stability, security, and authorities assist. The UAE has develop into a world hub for funding and innovation, attracting USD 45.6 billion in overseas funding in 2024, a 48% enhance year-on-year and representing 37% of all FDI within the Center East 1 . This development is pushed by forward-thinking insurance policies, investor- pleasant rules, and nationwide methods that promote diversification, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
“The UAE’s authorities actively fosters an surroundings the place each massive firms and SMEs can thrive, and SMEs now contribute over 63% of the non-oil GDP 2 , exhibiting that development isn’t simply on the high finish, but additionally throughout all ranges. For LEOS Developments, this stability and assist present the muse to ship lasting worth. We deal with designing houses and communities that meet the evolving wants of residents and
buyers alike, aligning with the UAE’s long-term imaginative and prescient for sustainable development, innovation, and high quality of life.
Michael Hunter, CEO and Co-Founding father of Holo
“Beginning a enterprise within the UAE is in contrast to launching anyplace else. It is a market constructed on ambition, innovation, and, most significantly, belief. After we launched Holo, a digital platform remodeling how individuals purchase houses, I rapidly realised that success begins with constructing in an area you really perceive. Having deep area information helps you see what others would possibly miss, the friction factors, inefficiencies, and cultural nuances that outline buyer behaviour.
“In the case of actual property and finance, belief is every thing. Customers don’t simply undertake a product; they place their monetary lives in your fingers, and that understanding shapes how we function. Incomes that belief requires delivering real worth and being relentlessly clear.
Surrounding your self with the best individuals is equally important. The UAE is an ecosystem that strikes rapidly, and right here, each mindset and expertise matter. You want a group that brings experience but additionally shares your
obsession with fixing issues and adapting on the go.
“Most significantly, don’t simply construct for as we speak, construct for the gaps nobody else is addressing. The UAE rewards innovation that simplifies life, and should you can mix deep native perception with world-class execution, you gained’t
simply begin a enterprise right here, you’ll construct one which endures.”
