Your trusted partner for moving your business from the UK to Dubai.

Flyingcolour® Business Setup in Dubai for UK Founders

Thinking about setting up in Dubai from the UK usually starts with the same question: is this actually worth the admin, or will HMRC just tax me anyway?

It's a fair question. Dubai's 0% personal income tax is real, and so is HMRC's Statutory Residence Test. The number of days you spend in the UK, where you keep "ties" like a home or family, and who actually controls the company all affect whether the move works the way you expect. We won't tell you it's simpler than it is. What we do is walk you through the setup itself — Mainland, Free Zone or Offshore — while flagging the UK-side questions your accountant will need to answer alongside us.

One goal; Company Formation. Three ways to set up.

Mainland

For UK businesses that want to trade directly with the UAE market or need a physical office presence.

• 100% foreign ownership in most activities
• Full access to the local UAE market, not just international trade
• Straightforward path to a residence visa

Explore Mainland ↗

Free Zone

The most common starting point for UK consultants, agencies and online businesses moving from the UK.

• 100% ownership, no local partner required
• Lower setup cost than Mainland for most service businesses
• Fast to set up if you're working remotely from the UK during the process

Explore Free Zone ↗

Offshore

For UK founders who want an international holding structure or asset protection, without relocating.

• Useful for international trading and IP or asset holding
• No UAE residence visa attached
• Not a UK tax substitute on its own this needs coordinated advice

Explore Offshore ↗

Not sure which route fits a UK-based business? Tell us what you want to build →

Everything a UK founder needs to move to Dubai properly — not just the licence.

Five steps from idea to operation

1. Free consultation

   We start with your current UK setup: company, residency status, and what "moving to Dubai" actually means for you.

2. Choose the jurisdiction

   Compare Mainland, Free Zone and Offshore against your actual business, not a generic checklist.

3. Licence application

   Documents, name reservation and approvals handled for you.

4. Visas & Emirates ID

   Your UAE residency, and your team's if you're hiring locally.

5. Banking & ongoing support

   UAE bank account application supported, subject to bank approval, and a plan for what stays compliant on both sides afterwards.

Compare the three jurisdictions.

A basic comparison for UK founders. Your shareholding structure, where you'll actually be resident, and your business activity can change which structure fits.

Swipe to compare all three structures →

Why UK founders work with Flyingcolour®.

We've supported UK-based founders and contractors through this exact move for over two decades — company formation, banking, visas, and the accounting and audit work that keeps a UAE entity compliant after year one. We're not a UK tax firm, and we'll say so plainly when a question belongs with your accountant. What we do is make sure the UAE side of the move, the part actually inside our control, is done properly the first time.

Real support. Real client outcomes.

Read feedback from Flyingcolour clients across our services.

★★★★★

“They made the entire process of obtaining a freelance visa and setting up a company seamless and stress-free.”

★★★★★

“Professional, responsive and extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommend them for audit and accounting services.”

★★★★★

“Their expertise in UAE regulations and prompt communication made all the difference.”

★★★★★

“Their professionalism, market expertise, and dedication to client satisfaction are truly impressive.”

★★★★★

“Most importantly they helped me without any hesitation.”

Questions UK founders ask first.