Many business owners assume that moving a company to another country means starting over. In reality, that is not always necessary.
Redomiciliation allows a company to move its registration to a new jurisdiction while remaining the same legal entity. The company keeps its incorporation date, contracts, business relationships, and corporate history. Only the place of registration changes.
Interest in redomiciliation to the UAE has increased following legal reforms introduced in late 2025, which expanded the options available to businesses.
Why Companies Consider It
Business requirements have changed in recent years. Many companies are now looking for jurisdictions that offer a stable legal environment, tax efficiency, and clear regulatory rules.
The UAE has become a popular choice because it combines a business-friendly framework with competitive tax rates. Companies may benefit from a 9% corporate tax rate on profits above the applicable threshold, while some free zone companies can still qualify for a 0% rate on certain income.
Recent reforms have also given businesses more flexibility in how they structure and manage their operations. For companies that want to relocate without losing their history, contracts, or existing legal identity, redomiciliation can be an attractive option.
Is Your Company Eligible for Redomiciliation?
For a company to move to the UAE through redomiciliation, both jurisdictions must permit it. The home jurisdiction must allow the company to transfer its registration abroad, and the chosen UAE jurisdiction must accept incoming companies.
If the home jurisdiction does not allow redomiciliation, the company cannot use this route. Instead, it would need to be closed and a new company established in the UAE.
Because of this, eligibility should be confirmed before looking at costs, timelines, or jurisdiction options.
How Redomiciliation Works
If both jurisdictions allow redomiciliation, the process usually involves three steps.
1. Approval From the Home Jurisdiction
The company applies for permission to leave its current jurisdiction. This generally involves submitting corporate documents, financial records, and proof that taxes and other obligations have been settled.
Some jurisdictions may also require a notice period for creditors.
2. Registration in the UAE
Once approval is obtained, the company applies to continue its registration in the UAE.
This is not the formation of a new company. The business continues as the same legal entity, with its existing corporate history, under UAE law.
The relevant authority reviews the application and issues the documents needed to complete the transfer.
3. Removal From the Original Register
Once the UAE registration is issued, the company submits this confirmation to the registrar in its previous jurisdiction, which then removes the company from its register.
At that point, the redomiciliation is complete.
How Long Does It Take?
The timeline varies from one case to another.
Simple transfers may take a few weeks, while more complex cases can take several months. Factors such as multiple shareholders, compliance reviews, or new banking arrangements can extend the process.
Even after the transfer is completed, banks may request updated documents and additional verification before updating their records.
Choosing Where to Register in the UAE
The UAE has several company registration options, not one single registry. For most redomiciliations, companies usually choose a free zone.
Each free zone has its own rules and is designed for different types of businesses. However, not every free zone accepts companies moving from another country. The right choice depends on what the company does.
What Changed in 2025?
In October 2025, the UAE introduced updates to its Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025) that changed how companies can move and restructure.
Previously, there was no clear legal route for moving a company between different UAE jurisdictions while keeping the same legal entity. The new rules introduced a defined process for transferring registration between free zones, or between a free zone and the mainland, without closing the existing company and starting from zero.
The changes also introduced more flexibility in company structures, including different share classes and new shareholder rights.
Although some details are still being finalized, the overall goal is to make it easier for companies to move, restructure, and continue operating in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does redomiciliation create a new company?
No. The company remains the same legal entity. It keeps its original incorporation date, contracts, and obligations. The main change is the country where it is registered.
How long does the process take?
The timeline depends on the company and the jurisdictions involved. Simple cases can take a few weeks, while more complex cases involving compliance checks, multiple shareholders, or banking changes may take several months.
Will the company keep its existing bank account?
Not automatically. Although the legal entity continues, banks usually require updated documents and may review the account before confirming the transfer.
What happens if the company’s home country does not allow redomiciliation?
Then redomiciliation is not possible. The company would need to close the existing entity and establish a new one in the UAE, which means losing the legal continuity that redomiciliation provides.
Does the company need a new license in the UAE?
Yes. The company keeps its legal identity, but it must still meet the licensing requirements of the chosen UAE jurisdiction and obtain the appropriate license for its activities.
Is redomiciliation only about reducing taxes?
No. Tax considerations can be one reason, but companies may also choose redomiciliation to improve their legal structure, simplify operations, access a different business environment, or align their registration with where they operate.
Acting on any of this — confirming eligibility, choosing a jurisdiction, or handling the legal and licensing steps — usually requires guidance specific to the company and the countries involved. The following pages outline the related services available:
