Move Your Businessto Dubai or the US
A plain-English guide to setting up a company abroad, and a trusted partner to handle the paperwork once you've decided.
- Free zone or mainland company
- Residence visa through your company
- No personal income tax
Continue with Plus UAE
- LLC or C-Corp, formed remotely
- US bank account and Stripe access
- No need to live in the US
Continue with StartGlobal
Dubai setup is provided by Plus UAE. US setup is provided by StartGlobal. Quid Sterling is an independent partner of both.
Dubai or the US: which one fits?
The short answer: pick Dubai if you want to move there and run your business from the UAE. Pick the US if you want to stay where you are and sell to US customers or raise US money.
| Dubai, UAE | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Founders who want to live in the UAE, or serve Middle East, Africa and Asia | Online businesses selling to US customers, and startups raising US investment |
| Main company types | Free zone company or mainland company | LLC or C-Corp |
| Do you need to be there? | Usually yes, at least once, for your visa medical and Emirates ID | Usually no. Most of it is done online |
| Right to live there | Your company can sponsor your residence visa | No. Owning a US company gives no right to live or work in the US |
| Company tax | 9% on profit above AED 375,000. Qualifying free zone income can be 0% | Depends on structure. C-Corps pay 21% federal tax, LLCs are often pass-through |
| Personal income tax | None in the UAE | Depends on your residency and US-connected income |
| Yearly upkeep | Licence renewal, visa renewals, corporate tax return, VAT if registered | State annual report, registered agent, IRS filings such as Form 5472 |
| Setup partner | Plus UAE | StartGlobal |
Simplified and not tax advice. Moving your company doesn't automatically end tax in your home country. In the UK, for example, the Statutory Residence Test decides whether you still owe UK tax.
Step-by-step guides
Choose a destination to see how the process works, what you'll need and whether it's right for you.
How setting up in Dubai works
Most of the process runs through a free zone authority or the Department of Economy and Tourism. Timelines vary with the free zone, your activity and visa processing.
Choose your activity and where to register
Your business activity decides which licence you need. A free zone company suits international, online and service businesses. A mainland company lets you trade directly with UAE customers and bid for local contracts.
Reserve your trade name and get initial approval
Pick a name that follows UAE naming rules and submit your passport and shareholder details. The authority checks your activity before you move on.
Sign your documents and choose an office
You'll sign a Memorandum of Association and take an office, desk or flexi-desk. The number of visas you can apply for is usually linked to your office space.
Get your trade licence
Once approved and paid, your licence is issued and your company legally exists. You then apply for an establishment card so the company can sponsor visas.
Apply for your residence visa
This includes an entry permit, a medical test, biometrics for your Emirates ID and the visa itself. You'll need to be in the UAE for parts of this.
Open a bank account and register for tax
UAE banks are careful and can take several weeks. Most want your licence, Emirates ID and a clear business plan. Every company must also register for corporate tax, and for VAT if sales pass the threshold.
Is Dubai right for you?
Often a good fit if you
- Want to live in the UAE and run your business from there
- Serve clients in the Middle East, Africa or Asia
- Work in trading, consulting, e-commerce, tech or media
- Are ready to actually relocate, not just register
Probably not worth it if you
- Plan to stay in the UK or your home country full time
- Expect a Dubai licence alone to remove your home tax
- Can't cover yearly licence, office and visa renewals
- Need to sell mainly to US or EU customers
What you'll need for Dubai
Passport and photo
With at least six months' validity for the visa process.
Your business activity
Be specific. It decides your licence type and where you can register.
Company name ideas
Two or three options that follow UAE naming rules.
A budget for year one
Licence, office or flexi-desk, visa costs and bank minimum balances.
Time in the UAE
Plan to be there for your medical, biometrics and bank meetings.
Advice from home
Check how leaving affects your tax residency before you move.
Plus UAE Connect handles company formation, compliance and business management in the UAE through one client portal.
Start your Dubai companyHow starting a US company from abroad works
The process is mostly online. Timelines depend on the state, the IRS and your bank, so treat any "done in 24 hours" promise with care.
Choose your structure and state
Most solo founders and small online businesses choose an LLC. If you plan to raise money from investors, a C-Corporation, usually in Delaware, is the common choice. The state affects your yearly fees, not where you can sell.
Register the company and appoint a registered agent
Every US company needs a registered agent with a physical address in its state to receive official letters. Formation services usually include this.
Get your EIN
The Employer Identification Number is your company's tax ID. Banks, Stripe and marketplaces will ask for it. You don't need a US Social Security Number, but without one it can take a few weeks.
Open a US business bank account
Several US banks and fintech providers open accounts remotely for non-resident owners. Approval isn't guaranteed and depends on your business and documents.
Keep up with filings every year
Most states want an annual report or tax, and the IRS has its own forms for foreign-owned companies, even ones with no income.
Is a US company right for you?
Often a good fit if you
- Sell software, digital products or services to US customers
- Need Stripe, US marketplaces or US payment platforms
- Plan to raise money from US investors
- Want a company that US clients recognise and trust
Probably not worth it if you
- Only sell in your home country, where a local company is simpler
- Hope it will remove tax in your home country (it usually won't)
- Want to move to the US. A company doesn't give you a visa
- Aren't ready to handle yearly US filings or pay someone to
LLC or C-Corp: the short version
| LLC | C-Corp | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers, agencies, e-commerce, bootstrapped SaaS | Startups raising venture or angel funding |
| How it's taxed | Usually "pass-through": profit is taxed on the owner rather than the company | The company pays US corporate tax, and dividends can be taxed again |
| Paperwork | Lighter, but foreign-owned single-member LLCs still file Form 5472 each year | Heavier: a full corporate tax return every year |
| Popular states | Wyoming, New Mexico, Delaware | Delaware |
What you'll need for the US
A valid passport
For identity checks by your formation service and bank.
Proof of address
A recent utility bill or bank statement from your home country.
A company name
Check it's available in your chosen state, with a backup or two.
A clear business description
What you sell and who to. Banks will ask.
A budget for year one
Setup fees plus state fees, registered agent renewal and tax filing help.
Advice from home
How your home country taxes a foreign company you own.
StartGlobal covers LLC formation, US banking and yearly compliance from one platform.
Start your US companyWhy we point you to these partners
You can do all of this yourself. But dealing with government portals, banks and tax rules in another country is where most mistakes happen. These providers bundle the steps into one place.
Plus UAE, for Dubai
A client portal for company formation, compliance and business management in the UAE. Check their packages, what's included and their terms before you pay.
StartGlobal, for the US
One platform for forming your LLC, opening a US bank account and staying compliant. Check current prices and what's included before you pay.
If another provider suits you better, use it. We may earn a referral fee if you sign up through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Common questions
Can I own 100% of a Dubai company as a foreigner?
In free zones, yes. On the mainland, most activities now allow full foreign ownership too, though a few regulated sectors still have limits.
Does a Dubai company mean I pay no tax?
Not quite. The UAE has no personal income tax, but companies pay 9% corporate tax on profit above AED 375,000, and VAT is 5%. Qualifying free zone income can be taxed at 0% if strict conditions are met. Your home country may still tax you unless you genuinely leave.
I live in the UK. If I move to Dubai, do I stop paying UK tax?
Only if you become non-resident under the Statutory Residence Test, which looks at days spent in the UK and your ties here. Get advice from a UK tax adviser before you move.
Can I own a US company without living there?
Yes. US states let non-residents form and own LLCs and corporations. It doesn't give you the right to live or work in the US, though. That's a separate immigration matter.
Do I need to travel?
For Dubai, usually yes, for your visa medical, Emirates ID and often the bank. For the US, usually not.
Could I set up in both?
Some founders live in Dubai and use a US LLC to sell to US customers. It can work, but the tax picture gets complicated quickly. Speak to an adviser who knows both before doing this.
What happens if I miss yearly filings?
In the UAE, late licence renewals and tax filings bring fines. In the US, states can dissolve your company and the IRS penalty for a missing Form 5472 starts at $25,000.
Is this legal or tax advice?
No. Quid Sterling is a general guide. For decisions about your own situation, speak to a qualified accountant or lawyer.
Ready to take your business abroad?
Choose where you're going and get started with a partner who handles the setup.