Share Now
on June 13, 2025
Read Time: 8 Minutes
In recent years, it seems that ever-increasing numbers of entrepreneurs – including many in the West – have been speaking in enthralled terms about Dubai, and the opportunities this part of the world is said to present from both a business and lifestyle perspective.
There might already be a few reasons in your head for Dubai piquing your interest as a place to which to relocate your UK business:
For all the excitement of the above, you might have some concerns about Dubai, too:
You get the idea; a lot of us associate Dubai with certain things. However, if you’re seriously thinking about moving your UK business to this part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you will need to separate the myths from the reality.
So, in today’s article on the Cranbrook Legal blog, we will set out just five reasons why Dubai can be an excellent place to which to relocate your business.
Dubai and the UAE have been frequently described as sitting at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. This, combined with the ever-more sophisticated global transport connections, means that if you intend to trade with other parts of the world, Dubai might be an ideal place to situate your business.
Thanks to the world-class airports and seaports in this part of the Middle East, you will be able to easily reach key markets across a variety of regions. Even if, for example, you find yourself needing to be back in the UK quickly, you will be just seven hours away on a direct flight.
A recent report from Henley & Partners disclosed that Dubai has become one of the world’s top 20 best cities for millionaires. The city is now home to 81,200 resident millionaires, including 237 centimillionaires, and 20 billionaires.
All this underscores that Dubai has become one of the places to be for global business. Relocate your UK firm to this part of the UAE, and you could soon be meeting very high-placed people in your field, who can help you unlock lucrative opportunities.
Even if you are looking to move your existing UK business to Dubai instead of starting a new one, you will still need to consider whether any change may be necessary to adapt your business to the UAE.
So, the question of which type of business will be “best” for you in Dubai, will depend partly on your existing expertise, but also on the local economic advantages and the market demand for what your business offers.
Nonetheless, here are a few examples of business sectors that can be profitable in Dubai:
With almost all residents of Dubai being connected to the Internet, and the city’s population being highly tech-savvy, if your existing UK business is an e-tail one, you could be well-placed to thrive in the UAE after transferring here.
The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai recently revealed that the city welcomed 18.72 million international overnight visitors during 2024 – a 9% year-over-year increase. This could present many lucrative opportunities if you have previously run a travel agency, a luxury resort, or another type of business connected to this sector.
A distinctive blend of time-honoured Emirati flavours and cuisines from across the globe has made Dubai an irresistible destination for food lovers. If, then, your current business already draws upon Middle Eastern influences along with elements of gastronomy from other nations, your food and drink business might be an ideal fit for Dubai.
It has been forecast that the UAE’s wellness tourism market could be generating revenue of US$12.5 billion by 2030 – which would amount to an 11.7% compound annual growth rate over the period between 2023 and the end of the decade. That could be a very enticing environment for a fitness studio business or an organic product retailer to enter.
Government initiatives, well-developed infrastructure, and a dynamic workforce have put Dubai at the forefront among the world’s “smart cities”. Whether, then, your current company’s expertise lies in artificial intelligence (AI), mobile apps, or cybersecurity, you could be strongly positioned to innovate and grow with this city as your base.
The authorities in the UAE strive to make life easier for people who are interested in relocating a business to this part of the world – or for that matter, starting a completely new firm here.
The process of registering and setting up a company is relatively quick and straightforward. Indeed, if you use the Basher online platform, you could have a business licence within just a few minutes of your application.
Various pro-investor policies, government initiatives, and a commitment to streamlining bureaucracy have helped boost the UAE’s appeal to both novice and seasoned entrepreneurs.
In recent years, an onerous tax burden has been one of the main reasons why entrepreneurs and business owners in Western states like the UK have considered relocating.
The UAE and Dubai have long been known for their business-friendly tax regime; there is no personal income tax, while corporate tax rates are low. Setting up a Dubai free zone company also brings excellent tax advantages, including a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, VAT exemptions, and customs duty relief. This is all subject to compliance with certain criteria.
Recently, however, a corporate income tax has been introduced in the UAE, although this is just 9%, and is imposed only on taxable income above AED 375,000. By global standards, this is still a very low rate of corporate tax.
The businesses that embrace the latest relevant technology will be among those that are best placed to thrive for many years and decades into the future.
Your own company will be strongly positioned to succeed in this regard if it is based in a part of the world that places a strong emphasis on up-to-the-minute innovations. These can encompass the likes of AI automations, blockchain projects, and “smart city” initiatives.
The UAE shows its commitment to ensuring this through its government-backed accelerators and incubators. Meanwhile, one of the country’s most exciting tech hubs is Dubai Internet City, which has been providing a supportive environment for innovative operations since 1999. Indeed, some of the biggest global technology giants have regional offices here.
It isn’t only the most directly business-friendly aspects of Dubai that might influence your decision to move here. That’s because you are also likely to give careful thought to the lifestyle this thriving metropolis could enable you to enjoy.
As a business owner or entrepreneur here, you could tap into such benefits as:
On the other hand, there are some potential disadvantages of Dubai that show it won’t necessarily be the best place for everyone. These drawbacks include:
Censorship and Internet restrictions, which may impact on how you communicate with friends and relatives elsewhere in the world.
As we wrote about last year, our experts in immigration law implement a range of measures to help people and organisations in the UK achieve a smooth transition to life in the UAE.
We are renowned, for example, for our highly project-managed approach. This involves helping our clients to obtain a visa, as well as to register and launch their business in Dubai.
Meanwhile, our knowledge of the locality’s immigration laws and regulations help our clients navigate the complexities involved in transferring their business to another country – particularly one that is so different to the UK.
To learn more about the many ways in which we can help you shift your business to the Middle East, please arrange a free consultation through our online contact form. Alternatively, you are welcome to call us in central London, on 0208 215 0053.
How Can We Help You?
