Have you ever considered moving to Dubai and living the expat life in Dubai?
Dubai has become a very popular location to do business, which is why it is so attractive to expats. Hundreds of British residents are moving to Dubai from UK every year looking for work or a lifestyle change. That is why there are an estimated 240,000 British expats now living in Dubai – enjoying all that Dubai has to offer to expats.
Of course, it isn’t just people from the UK that come to Dubai. It is estimated that more than 200,000 overseas residents move to Dubai each year from across the globe.
Living in Dubai as an expat can be a fantastic experience, but there are many things that businesses and individuals need to consider before moving to Dubai.
Immigration in Dubai for expats
Expatriates in Dubai will need to discover what type of visa they require to work and live in Dubai.
As long as your passport is valid for at least six months, UK passport holders get an automatic 30-day visitors’ entry to the UAE.
This is handy if you have to travel for interviews or just want a short visit to get an appreciation for life in Dubai but if you are looking to stay longer and work you will need one of the following visas:
Employment Visa: Allows you to stay as long as you wish in the UAE as long as you have a job offer from a UAE organisation or company. The documents you require to apply for a visa may change, but generally, you will need a contract of employment, a two-month work permit from your employer and any education certificates relevant to the position.
You can also apply for a probationary work permit, valid for up to three months, from the Ministry of Labour while you get your affairs in order.
Investor Visa: If you already own a business in the UAE or intend to start one you could be eligible for this visa. It is only valid for three years and can be acquired from a free trade zone in Dubai.
Property Owner Visa: If you have current ownership of a property in Dubai you can apply for this renewable residence visa. The conditions and visa requirements and benefits may vary depending on the property you own.
If you intend to apply for a visa you should seek professional advice beforehand to ensure it meets your requirements.
Moving to Dubai with Family
Many expats when relocating to Dubai may want to bring a family with them or may even start a family in the UAE. However, should your relationship breakdown you must understand the different rules and laws that guide a divorce in Dubai.
The whole of the UAE is governed by the same legal system, but there is scope for the applicable laws for Muslims and Non-Muslims to differ.
It is commonly assumed that matters under this law will be applied directly via the rule of Sharia law, but instead, separate laws derived from these religious rules are applied, which are often open to interpretation.
In some cases, one or both parties may feel that the laws of the UAE aren’t suited to their case. While the Dubai courts have jurisdiction to deal with a family matter if the respondent has domicile, residence or a workplace in Dubai, expats may wish to seek a resolution via a court in another jurisdiction. Like the courts in England and Wales, the UAE will often look to offer maintenance to spouses and when it comes to the separation of finances courts will typically allow each party to retain any property or assets that are in their respective names.
Of course, in some cases, assets, such as property, may be held in the name of one party, even where both parties have contributed to it.
This is where settling financial matters in an overseas jurisdiction may be favourable for a party who doesn’t own assets, as courts elsewhere may favour an equitable split.
Couples should also be aware that parents do not share equal parental responsibility for the child as they often would in England. After a divorce, the mother will become the “custodian” of the children, and the father the “guardian”. Having custody of the children means the mother must keep, nurture and care for the children but the father remains the legal guardian for the child. This can create conflicts and differs significantly from other jurisdictions.
Starting a business in Dubai
Dubai has become a popular destination for entrepreneurs from around the world. With an effective corporate tax rate of zero per cent, a strategic global base and an easy incorporation procedure it is an ideal location to set up or expand a business.
Foreign entrepreneurs who are living in Dubai as expats and starting a company in the UAE should familiarise themselves with local business customs and practices, as there are certain steps to setting up a company that will be unfamiliar to many.
For example, one of Dubai’s business formation idiosyncrasies is its company naming procedure, which requires the company name to meet certain criteria such as being compatible with the required type of activity and legal status.
Expat entrepreneurs must also acquire a suitable trade license the types of businesses that fit into each license category are self-explanatory and will be determined by your business activity. For example, if you undertaking a commercial activity, you’ll need a commercial license.
While 100 per cent foreign ownership of mainland businesses is permitted, it is usually advised for overseas entrepreneurs to start a free zone business, where 100 per cent ownership is guaranteed.
Free zones also allow businesses to take advantage of Dubai’s zero per cent tax regime, a customs tax exemption, removal of currency restrictions and the ability to repatriate capital and profits. Companies established in free zones are governed by the rules of the respective free zones.
Although the company formation process in the UAE and much of the steps needed to emigrate to Dubai have been designed around simplicity, having local knowledge can be invaluable.
Many entrepreneurs seek out the help of local consultants to help make the move, such as Mackrell.Consult DMCC.
With a strong partnership with leading full-service UK law firm Mackrell.Solicitors, this consultancy can help with every aspect of business and everyday life in the UAE – giving expats peace of mind throughout the whole process of moving to the UAE either directly or through our many best friend relationships in the Middle East with specialists in every field.
To find out more about how Mackrell.Consult DMCC can help you make the move to Dubai, please contact Aymen Elbilly by emailing aymen.elbilly@mackrell.com or calling +971 56 757 1871.
