Moving to Dubai for Tax Benefits? Do It the Right Way
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If you’re planning to move to Dubai and you also want to save money on taxes — let’s be honest, that’s probably a huge reason why you’re considering the move — then you need to make sure you’re doing it the right way.
Yes, Dubai is beautiful. The quality of life is fantastic, the weather is great, the lifestyle is unmatched… we know all that. But if taxes are the real reason you’re coming here (and for many entrepreneurs, that’s exactly why they make the move), then just getting a visa isn’t enough. You’ve got to exit your home country correctly, set yourself up properly in the UAE, and make sure that you don’t get taxed back home while you’re living in a tax-free environment.
And that’s exactly what we help people with at GenZone.
We’ve helped over 700+ companies and more than 1,000 individuals move to the UAE, set up bank accounts, secure visas, and most importantly — do it in a way that’s smart, legal, and protects you from unexpected tax bills.
Step 1: Exit Your Home Country Correctly
Let’s keep it real: if you want to stop paying taxes in your home country, you can’t just hop on a flight to Dubai and call it a day.
Every country has different rules. If you’re Canadian, for example, you can keep real estate back home — but if it’s your primary residence, you might need to sell or rent it out to someone who’s not related to you (no, renting it to your mom doesn’t count). You also might need to file special departure forms or pay an “exit tax” on capital gains.
If you’re from the UK, Australia, Germany, or anywhere else — the rules will be totally different. That’s why you need to speak to a proper international tax advisor before making the move.
But here’s the general rule of thumb:
If you want to keep things simple and crystal clear?
Sell or rent out your house
Sell your car
Close your bank accounts back home
Cancel your gym membership and those random subscriptions you forgot you were still paying for
Transfer your funds to the UAE
Get your immediate family (spouse, kids) to move with you
Cut as many ties with your home country as you can
Now, to be clear — you don’t have to do all this. Most countries don’t require it to the extreme. But if you want to play it safe and avoid any future complications, this is the cleanest way.
And if you’re not sure what your specific case requires? That’s what we’re here for. We have the right experts who can advise you — and we’ll make the intro once you start working with us.
Step 2: Get Tax Residency in the UAE
Once you’ve exited your home country, it’s not enough to just say “I’m gone.” You need to be a tax resident somewhere else — and that’s where the UAE comes in.
Here’s how you can become a tax resident in Dubai:
Set up a company → You’ll get a 2-year residency visa
Buy real estate (above AED 2 million) → You’ll qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa
We help you with both. Not just the paperwork — but making sure it’s structured in a way that supports your residency status, tax position, and future compliance.
Step 3: Open a UAE Bank Account and Move Your Finances
Once your visa is issued and your Emirates ID is in hand, the next step is to move your money and open UAE bank accounts.
This is also something we help our clients with at GenZone — we’ll guide you through the process, make the right introductions, and ensure that your finances are moved securely and compliantly.
Step 4: Spend Enough Time in the UAE (This Part Is Crucial)
Here’s where most people get it wrong:
They think, “If I spend one day every six months in Dubai, I’ll be a resident, and I won’t pay taxes back home.”
That’s incorrect.
Yes, to keep your residency visa active, you only need to be in the UAE once every 6 months.
But to be considered a tax resident, you need to spend at least 90 days per year in the UAE.
It’s literally on the government’s website. And if you want a Tax Residency Certificate (to prove you were living here to your home country’s tax department later), you need to meet this 90-day threshold.
Now, no one from the UAE is going to chase you down if you don’t — because there’s no personal income tax here. But that’s not the point. The point is: if you ever get questioned by your home country, you want to have proof that you were legally living and working in the UAE.
Step 5: Limit Your Time in Your Home Country
Even if you’re a tax resident in Dubai, spending too much time back home can ruin everything.
Take Canada, for example: they allow up to 183 days per year. But honestly? We tell our clients to avoid pushing that limit. If you spend 3 months in Canada, spend 5 or 6 in Dubai. Play it safe.
In the UK, it’s even stricter. Your allowable days depend on how many “ties” you have — like family, property, or businesses. For some people, that means a maximum of 90 days… but for others, it could be as low as 30, 15, or even 14 days per year.
Bottom line: spend more time in Dubai than you do in your home country — otherwise, you risk being taxed by both.
Final Thoughts: Work with the Right Team
If you want to take full advantage of what Dubai has to offer — the tax benefits, the lifestyle, the opportunity — then you need to do it right.
At GenZone, we make sure that:
You exit your home country properly
Your company is set up correctly
Your visa and Emirates ID are issued fast
Your bank accounts are opened
Your accounting, bookkeeping, and ongoing compliance are handled
You’re positioned correctly for tax residency
We’re not just another “business setup service.”
We’re the number one rated Dubai setup consultants and one of the fastest-growing relocation firms in the UAE for a reason — we care about the long-term strategy, not just the paperwork.
Ready to do this the right way?
Book a free consultation with us using the link below. If you’re not ready just yet, watch this video where we break down the full step-by-step process — from getting your license to your visa and bank accounts.
See you in Dubai.
