Company Redomiciliation — Move Your Business In or Out of the UAE
Transfer your company’s legal seat to a new jurisdiction without liquidation. Preserve your corporate history, contracts, assets, and banking relationships. Both directions handled.
Quick Facts
Transfer Your Company Without Dissolving It
Redomiciliation preserves your company’s entire corporate identity while changing its governing law.
Redomiciliation — also called corporate migration or continuation — is the legal process of transferring a company’s place of incorporation from one jurisdiction to another while maintaining the same legal entity. The company keeps its incorporation date, shareholder structure, contracts, intellectual property, and banking relationships fully intact.
Unlike dissolving and re-incorporating (which creates a new entity requiring contract novation, new bank accounts, and asset re-registration), redomiciliation preserves complete continuity. Under the principle of continuation recognized by jurisdictions including BVI, Cayman, and Singapore, the redomiciled company is not a new entity — it is the same company under new governing law.
The UAE has become one of the world’s most sought-after redomiciliation destinations following the 2024–2026 amendments to the Commercial Companies Law, which introduced new intra-UAE and international redomiciliation routes. Companies move to the UAE for its 9% corporate tax rate, zero personal income tax, 130+ treaty network, and strategic position between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Equally, some UAE-based companies need to move out — to access EU passporting, restructure for an IPO, or optimize under a different regulatory framework. Sovera handles both directions through coordinated filings in both the origin and target jurisdictions.
Redomicile Your Company to the UAE
The following UAE free zones accept inward redomiciliation from international jurisdictions.
| UAE Free Zone | Best For | Cost From | Timeline | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADGM | Finance, funds | $8,000 | 2–3 months | English common law |
| DIFC | Fintech, funds | $15,000 | 2–4 months | DFSA regulation |
| DMCC | Trading, commodities | $6,500 | 1–3 months | World’s #1 free zone |
| RAK ICC | Holding, offshore | $2,500 | 1–2 months | Most affordable |
| JAFZA | Logistics, trade | $8,000 | 2–3 months | World’s largest port |
| UAQ FTZ | SMEs, digital | AED 12,500 | 1–2 months | Fastest processing |
| Meydan FZ | Service, e-com, consultancy | $4,500 | 1–2 months | Cheapest Dubai address |
Eligible origin jurisdictions include: BVI, Cayman Islands, Seychelles, Cyprus, Singapore, Bermuda, Mauritius, Malta, Jersey, and others. For EU countries that don’t directly permit outward redomiciliation (Germany, France, Poland), a two-stage route via Cyprus is commonly used.
Move Your UAE Company to Another Jurisdiction
Companies may need to leave the UAE for EU market access, pre-IPO restructuring, group consolidation, or a different regulatory framework.
BVI — from $3,000
Ideal for holding structures, fund vehicles, and maximum privacy. 0% tax, English common law, globally recognized. Timeline: 1–2 months.
Cayman Islands — from $6,000
Gold standard for fund domiciles. Hong Kong and US stock exchange listings. Exempted company with 20-year tax guarantee. Timeline: 2–3 months.
Singapore — from $4,000
Inward redomiciliation regime since 2017 Companies Act. 98 DTAs, Section 13W capital gains exemption. Holding hub. Timeline: 2–4 months.
Cyprus — from $3,500
EU member state, 12.5% corporate tax. Gateway for two-stage redomiciliation into broader EU. IP Box regime, 65+ DTAs. Timeline: 3–6 months.
United Kingdom — from $2,500
Companies House registration. FCA regulatory framework. London capital markets access. Timeline: 2–4 months.
Mauritius — from $3,500
~3% effective tax via GBC structure. 45+ DTAs covering Africa and India. Ideal bridge for UAE companies expanding into African markets. Timeline: 2–3 months.
How Redomiciliation Works
A coordinated process across both origin and target jurisdictions, managed end-to-end by Sovera.
1. Feasibility Assessment
We verify that both jurisdictions permit redomiciliation, review your constitutional documents, check good standing, assess any exit tax implications, and confirm eligibility with the target registrar. This determines the entire approach.
2. Corporate Resolutions & Documents
Board and shareholder resolutions, solvency statements, director declarations, legal opinions from the origin jurisdiction, updated memorandum and articles, and notarized/legalized copies of all corporate documents — coordinated through our registered agent network.
3. Target Jurisdiction Filing
We file the redomiciliation application with the target registrar (ADGM, DIFC, RAK ICC, BVI Registrar, ACRA Singapore, etc.). Name check, activity licensing, office space, and any required local appointments are handled in parallel.
4. Certificate of Continuation
The target jurisdiction issues a Certificate of Continuation, confirming the company is now registered under its laws. From this moment, the company operates under the new governing framework while maintaining its original incorporation date and full corporate history.
5. Deregistration & Post-Migration
The origin registrar is notified and issues a Certificate of Discontinuance. We then handle banking updates, license renewals, visa arrangements (if UAE), compliance setup, and ongoing regulatory obligations in the new jurisdiction.
A Licensed Corporate Services Provider
Sovera Global operates through Consultrio L.L.C. FZE — UAE License #2531729 — with headquarters in Dubai and registration in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
UAE Licensed & Regulated
Consultrio L.L.C. FZE — License #2531729. Fully authorized to provide corporate formation, advisory, and compliance services across the UAE and internationally.
59+ Jurisdictions Worldwide
We don’t just recommend — we execute. Company formation, licensing, banking, and compliance across 59 jurisdictions on every continent.
Fixed Pricing, No Hidden Fees
Every engagement starts with a transparent, fixed-price quote. No retainers, no hourly billing, no surprises. You approve the price before we begin.
Dedicated Account Manager
Every client is assigned a single point of contact who manages your project end-to-end. Direct access via WhatsApp, email, and scheduled calls.
End-to-End Service
Formation, licensing, banking, nominees, compliance, and ongoing support — all from one provider. No handoffs, no gaps.
24-Hour Response Guarantee
Every inquiry receives a substantive response within 24 hours. Not an autoresponder — a real answer from your account manager with actionable next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about company redomiciliation to and from the UAE.
What is the difference between redomiciliation and starting a new company?
Redomiciliation preserves the same legal entity — your company keeps its incorporation date, contracts, bank accounts, IP, and full history. Starting fresh creates a new entity requiring contract novation, new bank accounts, and asset re-registration. Redomiciliation is almost always faster, cheaper, and less disruptive.
Which jurisdictions allow redomiciliation to the UAE?
BVI, Cayman Islands, Seychelles, Cyprus, Singapore, Bermuda, Mauritius, Malta, Jersey, and others. For EU countries that don’t directly permit it, a two-stage route via Cyprus is available.
Can I redomicile my UAE company to another country?
Yes, if your UAE free zone permits outward redomiciliation. DIFC, ADGM, DMCC, RAK ICC, and JAFZA all have provisions for outward migration. Founders increasingly redomicile to Saudi Arabia under MISA reforms to access the Vision 2030 economy.
Do I need to liquidate my company first?
No. Redomiciliation avoids liquidation entirely. The company continues as the same legal entity under new governing law. Liquidation is only required when the origin jurisdiction doesn’t support outward redomiciliation at all.
What happens to my existing contracts?
Contracts remain valid and enforceable — the company is the same legal entity. However, some contracts contain change-of-jurisdiction clauses requiring notice or consent. We review all material contracts before initiating the process.
How long does redomiciliation take?
Typically 2–4 months. Simple offshore-to-offshore moves (e.g., BVI to RAK ICC) can complete in 6–8 weeks. Complex moves involving regulated entities or EU jurisdictions may take 4–6 months due to additional approvals.
Are there exit taxes when redomiciling from the UAE?
Currently, the UAE does not impose exit taxes on redomiciliation. However, the company must ensure all UAE Corporate Tax filings are current and any outstanding fees are cleared before the registrar approves the transfer.
How much does redomiciliation cost?
Total costs typically range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on both jurisdictions, complexity, and document legalization requirements. This covers our service fees, registrar filings, legal opinions, and document attestation. We provide a fixed-price quote after the feasibility assessment.
Explore Related Services
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Nominee Services
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Compliance & Accounting
Ongoing regulatory compliance in the new jurisdiction. Learn more →
Ready to redomicile your company?
Get a free feasibility assessment. We’ll confirm whether redomiciliation is possible and provide a fixed-price quote within 48 hours.