Business Leaders Share: Top Tips For Starting A Business In The UAE

For UK business owners setting their sights on moving abroad, research by the Financial Times revealed that the United Arab Emirates is the country that is attracting the most directors relocating from the UK.

And when looking at stats between 2023 vs 2025, it seems that the number of people heading East is only going up year on year.

Why Is The UAE So Attractive To Business Owners?

Over the past 10 years, the UAE has grown into a magnet for entrepreneurs and investors. There are a few key reasons for this:

• No income tax and low corporate tax, making it one of the most business-friendly places in the world.
• A great location, situated between Europe and Asia.
• Safety and stability, with one of the lowest crime rates in the world, making it an attractive place to set up a business and live long-term.
• High investment in infrastructure and growth, making it a modern country with a lot of amenities.

What Are The UAE’s Top Business Hubs?

The United Arab Emirates is a country in the Middle East that is a collection of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah.

Whilst Abu Dhabi is the capital, Dubai has grown into the most well-known due to its booming tourist industry, huge business centre and popularity with expats.

Dubai is also home to the Dubai International Financial Centre, which makes it a hub for businesses in the region. No surprise then that it’s the Emirate that so many people set their sites on moving to.

Is It Easy To Move To The UAE?

Yes, it’s actually relatively easy to move to The UAE! The country has a golden visa scheme which provides 5 to 10 years of residency for those who meet certain investment thresholds.

A huge perk of the Emirati golden visa is the lack of sponsorship needed, meaning entrepreneurs can apply and get accepted without help from any other business.

But whilst the UAE makes residency easy, setting up a business there also comes with its challenges.

To help provide some advice around setting up a business in the UAE, we asked some founders for their top tips.

Here’s what they had to say:

Our Experts

• Asha Sherwood, UAE Entrepreneur; Founder & CEO of Abu Dhabi Review
• Ananda Shakespeare, Founder and CEO of Shakespeare Communications
• Brian Edelman, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Rain Stella Technologies (RST)
• Rui Liu, Chairman and Founder of LEOS Developments
• Michael Hunter, CEO and Co-Founder of Holo

Asha Sherwood, UAE Entrepreneur; Founder & CEO of Abu Dhabi Review

“Building a business in the UAE is a unique experience – there are days when things move super quick, and others when progress feels slower. In my experience as a media owner, I find that we also have to adapt constantly to new rules and requirements from the authorities, which can feel challenging at times. But those changes have also pushed me to be resilient, creative, and open to doing things differently.

“My media platform Abu Dhabi Review (ADR) is fully self-funded. There was never external financial backing – it’s just grown this way, step by step. That independence has meant the platform has developed authentically and stayed true to its vision. Every achievement, from building an engaged community to hosting live events, feels like a real milestone because it’s been built from the ground up. In a relatively male-dominated industry, I’m also proud to say ADR is female-owned and led.

“What I’ve learnt here is that success isn’t about chasing quick wins. It comes from consistency, adaptability, and building trust with the community you serve. The UAE is a place that welcomes ambition and rewards those who keep showing up. My advice would be to embrace the challenges, as they often become the very things that make your business stronger.”

Ananda Shakespeare, Founder and CEO of Shakespeare Communications

“It is fairly quick and easy to set up a business in the UAE, but if it’s your first time, it’s always a good idea to seek help. There’s a plethora of company set up firms – designed to ease the process of company set up. But be sure to take testimonials or guidance on these firms – they are not created equal. 

“Speak to CEOs like me, who have set up a business and can recommended trusted company formation specialists to suit all types of companies.

“You’ll need legal and accountancy support – again, speak to peers, friends and other business owners to discover who’s a good fit for you and your business.  

“While there is much you can do remotely, business here is still all about building trust in person over coffee, etc. Once the company is formed, you and your team will need residence/ employment visas. There are many different types, so do seek professional advice.

“You will also need medical insurance for yourself and your team. It should be appropriate and effective, so again, take advice and shop around. 

Once set up, you’ll need to do a lot of in-person networking to build your professional and personal life. And you will build a rewarding one, I’m sure. A lot of hard work is needed, but if you’re flexible and understand the business culture, you’ll likely soar here!”

Brian Edelman, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Rain Stella Technologies (RST)

“As a U.S. founder who recently relocated my company to the UAE, I’ve learned that building a successful business here isn’t just about scale. It’s about contribution. The UAE rewards companies that align innovation with purpose, advancing national priorities while creating lasting value for people and systems.

“At Rain Stella Technologies, that means developing AI and digital health solutions designed not only to perform globally but to serve the region’s unique healthcare ambitions. We create locally grounded AI and interoperable health infrastructure that fit the UAE’s needs while remaining flexible enough to support hospitals, clinicians, and patients across the wider MEA region. The country’s mix of AI ambition, data quality, and rigorous compliance standards creates an extraordinary environment, encouraging bold thinking while demanding accountability and measurable impact.

“Success here lies in striking that balance: being visionary enough to push boundaries, yet grounded enough to integrate seamlessly into local systems. When companies embrace that mindset and build with the ecosystem in mind, they not only grow in the UAE and the region, they help strengthen them in the process.”

Rui Liu, Chairman and Founder of LEOS Developments

“Building a successful business in the UAE begins with understanding the country’s unique combination of economic stability, safety, and government support. The UAE has become a global hub for investment and innovation, attracting USD 45.6 billion in foreign investment in 2024, a 48% increase year-on-year and representing 37% of all FDI in the Middle East 1 . This growth is driven by forward-thinking policies, investor- friendly regulations, and national strategies that promote diversification, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

“The UAE’s government actively fosters an environment where both large corporations and SMEs can thrive, and SMEs now contribute over 63% of the non-oil GDP 2 , showing that growth isn’t just at the top end, but also across all levels. For LEOS Developments, this stability and support provide the foundation to deliver lasting value. We focus on designing homes and communities that meet the evolving needs of residents and
investors alike, aligning with the UAE’s long-term vision for sustainable growth, innovation, and quality of life.

Michael Hunter, ‏CEO and Co-Founder of Holo

“Starting a business in the UAE is unlike launching anywhere else. This is a market built on ambition, innovation, and, most importantly, trust. When we launched Holo, a digital platform transforming how people buy homes, I quickly realised that success begins with building in a space you truly understand. Having deep domain knowledge helps you see what others might miss, the friction points, inefficiencies, and cultural nuances that define customer behaviour.

“When it comes to real estate and finance, trust is everything. Consumers don’t just adopt a product; they place their financial lives in your hands, and that understanding shapes how we operate. Earning that trust requires delivering genuine value and being relentlessly transparent.

Surrounding yourself with the right people is equally vital. The UAE is an ecosystem that moves quickly, and here, both mindset and experience matter. You need a team that brings expertise but also shares your
obsession with solving problems and adapting on the go.

“Most importantly, don’t just build for today, build for the gaps no one else is addressing. The UAE rewards innovation that simplifies life, and if you can combine deep local insight with world-class execution, you won’t
just start a business here, you’ll build one that endures.”