Moving to Dubai From the UK: Your Step-by-Step Guide with Meydan Free Zone

It starts with one question that’s becoming more common across the UK: “What’s the smartest move after the UK tightened its visa rules?”

Suddenly you’re comparing global options, reading up on tax benefits, and asking yourself, “Could I really set up my business in Dubai faster than I can renew a visa in the UK?”

Between new visa restrictions, rising taxes, and record-high living costs, the UK is becoming a tougher place for professionals and entrepreneurs to grow. For many, staying feels like standing still, and that’s why more than 240,000 British expats have already chosen Dubai as their new base.

They’ve traded 45% UK tax for 0% corporate and income tax, upgraded to world-class housing, and are raising their families in a city ranked among the safest in the world. Dubai isn’t just offering a better lifestyle, it’s offering growth. The city attracted AED 52.3 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024 alone, bringing in new global headquarters, startups, and business opportunities every single day.

At Meydan Free Zone, entering that landscape is faster and easier than ever. You’ll get full ownership, fast-track licensing in under 60 minutes, banking support, and a 100% digital setup that works from anywhere in the world. In short, everything you need to start strong when you move to Dubai from the UK.

If you’ve been weighing up your next move, this guide will show you why relocating to Dubai through Meydan Free Zone could be  the brilliant decision you make this year.

Why UK Entrepreneurs, Professionals, and Families Are Moving to Dubai

From overcast routines and rising costs in the UK to sunshine, safety, and speed in Dubai, it’s clear why the move appeals to so many professionals and families.

Here’s what your Dubai dream would look like with Meydan Free Zone:

• Keep More of What You Earn​
  In the UK, the tax bite can be up to 45% income tax, plus a corporation tax of up to 25%. But in Dubai, you’re subjected to 0% personal income tax and 0% corporate tax on qualifying Free Zone income. With the UK-UAE Double Tax Treaty and an investor visa pathway from Meydan Free Zone that establishes your UAE residency, you take the first step towards avoiding double taxation, leaving more earnings in your pocket.
• Grow & Diversify Without Barriers
  In the UK, expansion is slow with Brexit bureaucracy, new registrations for every business, and months of paperwork. In Dubai, you’re at the crossroads of 180+ markets within a 4-hour flight. With Meydan Free Zone, you can choose from 2,500+ business activities and launch up to three businesses under one trade license, all without needing an NOC from your employer if you plan to work elsewhere while building your company in Dubai.
• Family Safety and Peace of Mind
  In the UK, worries about rising crime and stretched public services are increasing. In Dubai, safety is the standard. The city consistently ranks among the safest in the world, with reliable healthcare and world-class schools, including dozens following the British curriculum.  
• Redefine Your Work and Luxury Lifestyle
  Grey skies and long commutes might weigh you down in the UK. In Dubai, it’s the opposite with year-round sunshine, modern infrastructure, malls, and family-friendly neighbourhoods. And if you’re ready to swap the 9-5 grind to be an entrepreneur, Meydan Free Zone gives you a business license in under 60 minutes.  
• Skip the Heavy Costs
  In the UK, starting a business means you’re stuck in months of approvals, endless compliance, and paying out for insurance and filings before you’ve even sent your first invoice. In Dubai, you can get a 100% digital setup with Meydan Free Zone, which includes end-to-end business solutions and a flexible pay-as-you-go model, allowing you to start small, scale gradually, and invest only as your business grows.

If you’re serious about starting a business and moving to Dubai from the UK, Meydan Free Zone makes it simple through a fully digital process, from business license approval to visa processing, all under one platform.

Your Relocation Journey From the UK to Dubai With Meydan Free Zone

Relocating from the UK to Dubai might feel like a long checklist, but with the right partner, every step becomes faster and simpler. Here’s what your journey looks like when you set up with Meydan Free Zone:

1. Secure Your Business License

Your business license is the very foundation of your move. With Meydan Free Zone, you can choose from over 2,500 business activities, register up to three activity groups under one business license, and receive approval in under 60 minutes, all fully digitally, with no hidden costs or steps.

2. Apply for Your Residency Visa

Once your business license is approved, your UAE residency visa is what unlocks your long-term growth and determines how long you can stay, work, and tap into the full potential of living, banking, and building a future in Dubai.

Here are your options:​

Many UK professionals move to Dubai on employer sponsorship first, then transition to entrepreneurship. Meydan Free Zone makes that switch seamless when switching to an investor visa later on.

Note: Meydan Free Zone does not issue Golden Visas or Green Visas.

Before your UK documents can be used for visas, Dubai school enrolments, or family sponsorship in Dubai, they need to be officially attested through the UK and UAE authorities.

Typical documents you may need to attest:

• Marriage certificate (for spouse sponsorship)
• Birth certificates (for children/dependent visas, Dubai school admission)
• Degree or academic certificates (for job titles or recognition)  
• Business incorporation documents (if relevant to company setup)

3. Complete Medical Test & Biometrics

After submitting your visa application and entering Dubai on your entry permit, you’ll need to complete the mandatory health screening, which includes a quick blood test and chest X-ray, along with biometrics. mResidency makes it simple by handling your medical fitness test end-to-end, booking your appointments, providing reminders, and arranging pick-up and drop-off. You’ll get your results in 1-2 days at standard.

4. Receive Your Emirates ID

Your Emirates ID is your all-access pass to everyday life in Dubai. It’s needed for almost everything, from opening a bank account and signing a tenancy contract to setting up utilities and accessing healthcare. The best part? With mPlus, your Emirates ID is delivered right to your doorstep in 1-2 weeks.  

5. Sort Out Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for all Dubai residents. With mResidency, your coverage is arranged around your needs — no chasing providers or endless calls.  

6. Open a Bank Account in Dubai

With Meydan Free Zone, your business license comes with a guaranteed IBAN, pre-checked documents, and direct introductions to a pool of 26+ partner banks. The result is a faster account opening in a few working days with a multi-currency corporate bank account that lets you pay suppliers, receive client funds, and send money back to the UK without any exchange shocks.

Choosing the Right Neighbourhood for Your Family and Business

Relocating from the UK to Dubai isn’t just about business; it’s also about finding the right home. Dubai offers neighbourhoods for every lifestyle, from London-like buzz to York-like calm.

Most start with a short-term base, then settle into a long-term community that suits their family and work needs.

Short-Term Housing

Long-Term Housing

Navigating Education and the Everyday Dubai Experience

Moving to Dubai from the UK goes beyond business licenses and visas. It’s also about the essentials of daily life: schools, healthcare, utilities, and the everyday services that make Dubai truly feel like home.

• Smooth School Transitions:  
  With British-curriculum schools like Dubai College, JESS, and GEMS, spots fill up fast. Apply early and bring reports and
  references from back home in the UK to speed things up.
• Shopping and Lifestyle:  
  You’ll still find familiar comforts like Waitrose, M&S, Boots, and Tesco products in Dubai supermarkets. Mix in the year-
  round sunshine, premier shopping malls, and palm-lined beaches, and your lifestyle will feel much different compared to
  rainy commutes.  
• Mobile Phone and Utilities:  
  To set up water and electricity in Dubai, you’ll need your Emirates ID and tenancy contract to register with DEWA. For
  internet, TV, or a SIM card, you can sign up with providers like Etisalat, du, or Virgin Mobile.
• UK Community and Networking:​
  With a large pool of Brits already in Dubai, you won’t be short of connections. From Facebook groups and family clubs
  like Dubai Polo to industry expos, there’s always a way to plug in. Add to that a 30,000+ founder ecosystem at Meydan
  Free Zone, and you’re always at the forefront of networking.  
• Getting Around Easily:​
  Dubai’s transport is simple: the Metro links key areas like Business Bay and Deira, while taxis, buses, and apps like
  Careem fill the gaps. The best part? You can easily purchase a car or lease one eventually, once you’ve settled in Dubai.

The Essential Guide to Moving From the UK to Dubai

Before you pack your bags for Dubai, there are a few things you should have on your radar so you can land smoothly and avoid surprises or pitfalls.

• UK Tax Residency and HMRC
  Moving to Dubai from the UK doesn’t automatically end your tax obligations. HMRC decides residency based on days
  spent in the UK and your ties back home, and you may qualify for split-year treatment. Always notify HMRC when you
  leave to avoid double taxation. Setting up your business with Meydan Free Zone gives you an investor visa pathway,
  your first step to UAE residence. But to be recognised as a UAE tax resident, you must also meet stay requirements and
  secure a Tax Residency Certificate. Paired with the UK–UAE Double Tax Treaty, this is what protects your Dubai income
  from double taxation.  
• Driving License Conversion
  Good news: you don’t need to start from scratch. Once you have your Emirates ID, you can exchange your valid UK
  driving license for a UAE license at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) by presenting your UK license,
  passport, visa, and an eye test.  
• Alcohol License and Local Etiquette
  In Dubai, you can drink, but only with a license. It’s free, quick to get with your Emirates ID, and needed when you buy
  from stores. Remember, there’s zero tolerance for drinking and driving. During Ramadan, it’s important to be respectful:
  don’t eat or drink in public during daylight, dress modestly, and join in on Iftar if invited; it’s a great way to connect and
  make friends.  
• Bringing Your Pets From the UK
  Your pets are welcome in Dubai, but you’ll need to tick a few boxes: a DEFRA health certificate, a UAE import permit, a
  microchip, and an up-to-date rabies vaccination. Upon landing, vets check the documents, and if all’s in order, your pet
  walks out with you the same day.  
• Building Your Route to Residency  
  The most straightforward path to securing your place here starts with a business or investor visa, giving you legal
  residency and the ability to sponsor dependents. From there, you can look ahead to the Golden Visa, offering 10 years of
  renewable residency if you invest in property, grow a business, or qualify as a skilled professional.

In Conclusion

For UK entrepreneurs and professionals, moving to Dubai from the UK won’t just be a change of address; you’ll be unlocking a  lifestyle where your work, business, and family thrive side by side.

Here, you keep more of what you earn, trade globally without barriers, and operate in a market designed for growth. You’ll find  neighbourhoods that balance modern living with community spirit, British-curriculum schools that make the transition easy for your  children, and an expat network that feels familiar yet opens doors worldwide.

And the best part? You don’t need to go through months of bureaucracy to get started. With Meydan Free Zone, your business  license is live in under 60 minutes, your investor visa paves the way to residency, and your family’s move is supported every step of the way. This isn’t just relocation; it’s the start of a smarter, more secure chapter for you in Dubai.

FAQs

1. Is Dubai a good place for UK families?

Yes, Dubai is very family-friendly. British-curriculum schools, safe neighbourhoods, premium healthcare facilities, and a large  British expat community make the transition smooth for children and parents alike. It feels familiar yet excitingly new.

2. How expensive is it to live in Dubai compared to the UK?

Living costs vary, but many UK expats find Dubai offers better value. With 0% personal income taxes and 0% corporate taxes, you  keep more of what you earn. Those savings often outweigh higher income taxes, housing or schooling costs in the UK, making  Dubai competitive with major UK cities.

3. What is the visa process for UK entrepreneurs in Dubai?

The visa process for UK entrepreneurs in Dubai is straightforward. With Meydan Free Zone, an investor visa comes linked to your  business license if you opt for it. You can then sponsor yourself, your family, and employees through a fully digital, streamlined  application process.

4. Do I still pay UK taxes after moving to Dubai?

You don’t automatically stop paying UK tax just by moving to Dubai. HMRC looks at your days in the UK and ties back home. With  UAE residency and a Tax Residency Certificate, you can avoid double taxation. A business license from Meydan Free Zone, and  securing your investor visa are the first steps to locking in your TRC.

5. What business support does Meydan Free Zone provide when I want to launch?

UK entrepreneurs get 100% ownership, a business license in under 60 minutes, and 0% corporate tax on qualifying Free Zone income. You’ll also have visa allocations for your team, banking support with a guaranteed IBAN, and access to over 2,500 business activities, making it an ideal launchpad if you’re relocating from the UK to Dubai with ambitions to grow.