Category / Section
UK to Dubai
Published:
Research
| Step | Process | Details | Suggestion for UK Citizens |
| 1 | Choose a Freezone | Research and select the best freezone for your business (e.g., Dubai Meydan, Ajman, Sharjah SHAMS). Please see Freezones_Cost sheet for details. | Sharjah Media City (Cheapest) Dubai Meydan (Reasonable) |
| 2 | Choose a School | Research and select the best school for your children | Durham Birtish School https://durhamdubai.com/ |
| 3 | Choose a Neighbourhood | Research and select the best neighbourhood to live | Green Community, Dubai Investment Park (Expensive, must drive) Expo Village, Expo 2020 (Not as Expensive, and metro is within 2 minute walk) |
| 4 | Choose an Agent | Chooisng right agent is key to frictionless move | Go with 3A Global - they are extremely supportive. Please talk to Tasneem on WhatsApp +971 50 265 5249. She will guide you through the entire process with little or no friction |
Freezones Cost
If your business does not depend on physical office space, or specific trade regulations, then going with the most cost-effective Freezone is the logical choice. Sharjah Media City Freezone - if you have no constraints. Dubai Meydan Freezone - if you must have "Dubai" address.
Visa Timeline
| Steps | Process | Details | ETA | Suggestion |
| 1 | Tourist SIM ONLY APPLICABLE IF YOU ARE ALREADY IN UAE | You will get a Tourist SIM card at the Airport | 1 | Go with Du - their support and app is outstanding. NOTE: Please make sure you buy it for 1 or 2 months. It is very important you ensure this number stays with you because all subsequent steps use this number, if you lose the number you are going to be in trouble. |
| 2 | Company Registration | Register the company in the chosen freezone and obtain the business license. | 7 | If your business does not depend on physical office space, or specific trade regulations, then going with the most cost-effective Freezone is the logical choice. Sharjah Media City Freezone - if you have no constraints. Dubai Meydan Freezone - if you must have "Dubai" address. NOTE: It is very important you word the MOA and AOA to allow openining business bank accounts. Otherwise you will be in deep trouble. |
| 3 | Apply for Investor Visa (Parents) | Submit visa application for investor and spouse. | 7 | Go with 3A Global - they are extremely supportive. Please talk to Tasneem on WhatsApp +971 50 265 5249. She will guide you through the entire process with little or no friction |
| 4 | Medicals & Biometrics (Parents) | Both parents must be physically present in the UAE for medical tests and biometric submission. | 3 | You will get an "ENTRY" visa once your initial application is approved. Using which you need to enter the country and carry out the medical and biometric. NOTE: This visa is valid for approx. 2 months, so you can sort out your affairs back home at this stage. Unless you are medically unfit (10mile run in 25 minutes) it is impossible to not get visa from this stage. |
| 5 | Visa Stamping (Parents) | After medical approval, visas are stamped in passports. | 4 | |
| 6 | Emirates ID Issuance (Parents) | Collect Emirates IDs after visa stamping. | 4 | |
| 7 | Personal Bank Account Opening | Open a personal bank account for daily transactions. | 1 | |
| 8 | Business Bank Account Opening | Open a business bank account for company transactions (this may require additional compliance checks). | 4 | Personal Banking Account opening in real-time, just like Monzo/Revolut 1. FAB 2. ENBD 3. Mashreq Business Banking NOTE: It is very important you word the MOA and AOA to allow openining bank accounts. Otherwise you will be in deep trouble. Eveything is digital, and it only takes about 4 working days end-to-end. 1. Wio 2. ENBD |
| 9 | Secure Tenancy Agreement | Rent a residence and register a tenancy contract (Ejari for Dubai, Tawtheeq for Abu Dhabi). Required for family visa applications. | 7 | |
| 10 | Apply for Medical Insurance | Medical insurance is quite affordable | NOTE: This is mandatory before you can apply for dependent (child) visa | |
| 11 | Apply for Family Visas (Children) | Submit applications for children's visas. | 7 | |
| 12 | Medical Examination & Biometrics (Children) | Required for children over 15 years old. | 3 | |
| 13 | Visa Stamping (Children) | After medical clearance, children's visas are stamped in passports. | 4 | |
| 14 | Emirates ID Issuance (Children) | Collect Emirates IDs for children after visa stamping. | 4 | |
| 15 | School Enrollment (Children) | Enroll children in school. Schools accept British passports initially, visa and Emirates ID can follow later. | 14 | We suggest Durham Birtish School https://durhamdubai.com/ as they are small and the attention given to each student is impressive. Gems Education https://www.gemseducation.com/ if you live far away or need a bigger school then Gems is the one. NOTE: Children don't need VISA to enroll into school. You can pretty much put them in school from Day 1 with just their British Passport. Visa/EmiratesID can be submitted later. |
| 16 | Corporation Tax Registration | It is imporant to register for Corporation Tax within 60 days of company registration | 2 | Can be done completely online, very simple process - https://eservices.tax.gov.ae/ |
Cost of Living
