Relocating Your Business from Thailand to the UAE

Key takeaways

• Start with the structure: free zone operating company, optional offshore holding.
• Attest the documents you will need before you fly.
• Your investor visa unlocks the bank account and the family visas.
• Thai food, hospitality and jewellery brands have a strong presence in the UAE market.

Background

Relocating Your Business from Thailand to the UAE mainland licences are released by the Umm Al Quwain Department of Economic Development, which currently processes most standard files in around 3 business days. Among the strengths of a Relocating Your Business from Thailand to the UAE mainland licence are one of the most affordable mainland options and Minimal bureaucracy, so local service businesses gravitate here. Businesses that benefit most from Relocating Your Business from Thailand to the UAE mainland licensing include trading, marine services, agriculture, small manufacturing and services, because they serve customers on site across the emirate.

What to do, in order

1. 
   Step 1

   Activity and legal form

   To be clear, we select the correct activity codes from the Umm Al Quwain Department of Economic Development list and the legal form, usually a LLC or a sole establishment. Nothing is submitted for relocating a business from Thailand to the UAE until you have reviewed and approved it.

2. 
   Step 2

   Trade name and initial approval

   GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Umm Al Quwain Department of Economic Development and obtains sector approvals where needed.

3. 
   Step 3

   Office, MOA and submission

   Crucially, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to relocating a business from Thailand to the UAE.

4. 
   Step 4

   Licence, Chamber and immigration

   Your Relocating Your Business from Thailand to the UAE mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.

Documents you will need

Keep these ready before you start:

• The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
• The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
• An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
• External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
• Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager

Costs

In practice, prices for relocating a business from Thailand to the UAE are drawn from GoldenKey's live price list and confirmed in writing before you pay. Just as important, government fees change from time to time; the figures on this page update automatically when they do.

Why the UAE

Importantly, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, so so many entrepreneurs choose it as a base for relocating a business from Thailand to the UAE. In short, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so relocating a business from Thailand to the UAE no longer requires a local partner.

How GoldenKey helps

GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with relocating a business from Thailand to the UAE, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Every Relocating Your Business from Thailand to the UAE package we quote already includes the licence, registration, the establishment card where applicable and our full assistance, with no hidden add-ons at the end.

Frequently asked questions