Re Locating to Dubai

[James B]

I'm sure you've heard this many times before - I'm intending moving out to Dubai and need some info.

My situation is slightly different (I think). I'm retired from my self employed full time job but still want to work when the need takes me (and when I need the money). In essence I would be my own employed "IF" I did some work. Is this acceptable and legal without setting up a business?

I've tried a number of times to get answer to this issue but I get different answer from different people, from its not allowed to I have to register and it will cost me $250k.

Does anyone have any personal experience in this area.

[thebigtx]

Just set up a company in a Free Trade Zone and it'll cost you like 25,000 AED. Then you will have 2 visas to work with. One for yourself and one for any employee you may have. Then you can work under your new company whenever you like.

[Pasanada]

Owning a business in a Free Zone gives you 100% ownership and any profit made will be yours to keep. JAFZA (Jafza) have a website that is full of information for those seeking to set up a FZ company. There are other Free Zones but Jebel Ali is the one I'm familiar with, google for others in the UAE is JA isn't for you.

Good luck.

[James B]

Thanks for the info. It was very helpfull although I will need to speak with the people from JAFZA to see where I fit in because I only wanted to work some of the time.

[DesertStranded]

From what I hear some wealthy people set up dummy businesses just so they can get residency here.

[James B]

Now that wouldn't suprise me. Nice if you can afford it.

[DesertStranded]

What kind of work is it exactly that you do? We can't really give advice without more details. You could look into freelancing or consulting. You could rent a really small office in a freezone area, set up a desk, make up some business cards and offer up your freelance services when you need the money. That way you can be as picky as you want about your work hours, clients, etc. I don't know how affordable that would be for you. But it's something you could check out.

[James B]

Originally Posted by DesertStranded

What kind of work is it exactly that you do? We can't really give advice without more details. You could look into freelancing or consulting. You could rent a really small office in a freezone area, set up a desk, make up some business cards and offer up your freelance services when you need the money. That way you can be as picky as you want about your work hours, clients, etc. I don't know how affordable that would be for you. But it's something you could check out.

I'm a Commodities Broker! Worst case I only need a laptop and a phone (and a beach, lol) to work.

[DesertStranded]

Then you don't need to rent an office. Just get some business cards made up, have your services advertised in the yellow pages if you want and see what it takes to get the freezone visa for your 'company.'

[James B]

Originally Posted by DesertStranded

Then you don't need to rent an office. Just get some business cards made up, have your services advertised in the yellow pages if you want and see what it takes to get the freezone visa for your 'company.'

Thanks for that info. Its the advice I wanted to hear, lol.