--- title: Business Valuation for South Africans in the UAE | Assetica description: Independent business valuation for South Africans moving to Dubai: the SARS exit charge, exchange control and the AED 2 million Golden Visa threshold. url: https://assetica.net/south-africa-business-valuation/ source: Assetica, independent business valuation firm, Dubai and the UK --- # Business Valuation for South Africans Relocating to the UAE By [Bill Anderson](https://assetica.net/team/bill-anderson/), FCCA, Chief Executive Officer — Assetica, Dubai, UAE **Definition:** South African owners relocating to Dubai need an independent business valuation at up to four points: the SARS exit charge (a deemed capital gains disposal of worldwide assets, including company shares, on ceasing South African tax residency), Reserve Bank exchange control and tax clearance for moving capital abroad, the UAE Golden Visa business route (equity worth at least AED 2 million, about R10 million), and selling the business. Assetica prepares these to RICS and IVS standards, consistent across SARS and the GDRFA. ## The SARS exit charge When you cease South African tax residency, SARS deems you to have disposed of your worldwide assets at market value and levies capital gains tax on the gain. Your shares in a private company are included, so their market value on the cessation date determines the CGT. South African immovable property is excluded. A dated, independent valuation makes the figure defensible. ## Exchange control and the Golden Visa Moving capital abroad through the foreign investment allowance (up to R10 million a year) needs SARS tax clearance, and a credible valuation supports it. Separately, the UAE Golden Visa business route requires an independent report confirming your equity is worth at least AED 2 million net of debt, isolating your specific stake and formatted for the GDRFA. A South African CA letter does not satisfy the GDRFA. ## One consistent value The danger is divergence: a SARS exit-charge number that disagrees with your Golden Visa report. Assetica fixes the valuation date, methodology and normalised earnings once, then formats the output for each authority, so SARS, your South African bank and the GDRFA see the same underlying value. Typical delivery five to seven business days. ## Related Valuation Services South Africa to UAE relocation valuations sit within Assetica's core [business valuation in Dubai](https://assetica.net/services/business-valuation/) practice, and often run alongside a [Golden Visa business valuation](https://assetica.net/golden-visa-valuation/) and, for family holdings, a [family office valuation](https://assetica.net/family-office-valuation/). ## Frequently Asked Questions Do I pay tax in South Africa when I emigrate to Dubai? When you cease South African tax residency, SARS deems you to have disposed of your worldwide assets at market value and levies capital gains tax on the gain (the exit charge). Your shares in a private company are included, so their market value on the cessation date drives the CGT. South African immovable property is excluded. A dated, independent valuation makes the figure defensible to SARS. Is a South African CA valuation accepted for the UAE Golden Visa? No. The GDRFA expects an independent valuation from a recognised valuation firm, isolating your specific shareholding net of debt and formatted for the UAE. A South African CA or auditor letter serves the SARS and Reserve Bank side but does not satisfy the GDRFA format. Most relocating owners need both reports, built from one consistent underlying value. How much is the AED 2 million Golden Visa threshold in rand? Roughly R10 million at current exchange rates (AED 2 million is about USD 545,000). The threshold applies to your own equity in the business net of debt, not the company's total value or its revenue. Can I move the proceeds of my business sale to the UAE? Yes, through the Reserve Bank's foreign investment allowance (up to R10 million a year, with a SARS tax compliance status pin) and the single discretionary allowance (R1 million a year). Large transfers from a business sale are smoother when you can evidence the value with an independent valuation. How long does the valuation take? Typically five to seven business days from receiving your South African financial statements, shareholding details, management accounts and bank statements, plus the UAE licence if the entity is set up. Expedited two to three day delivery is available for visa or transaction deadlines. ## Independent business valuation across the UAE, UK and Europe ### Valuation services - [Business valuation Dubai](https://assetica.net/services/business-valuation/) - [Golden Visa business valuation](https://assetica.net/golden-visa-valuation/) - [UAE corporate tax valuation](https://assetica.net/corporate-tax-valuation/) - [M&A and transaction valuation](https://assetica.net/ma-transaction-valuation/) - [Financial due diligence](https://assetica.net/financial-due-diligence/) - [Succession planning valuation](https://assetica.net/succession-valuation-uae/) - [Family office valuation](https://assetica.net/family-office-valuation/) - [Feasibility study Dubai](https://assetica.net/feasibility-study-dubai/) - [All advisory services](https://assetica.net/services/) ### Where we work - [Abu Dhabi](https://assetica.net/abu-dhabi-business-valuation/) - [Sharjah](https://assetica.net/sharjah-business-valuation/) - [DIFC](https://assetica.net/difc-business-valuation/) - [ADGM](https://assetica.net/adgm-business-valuation/) - [United Kingdom](https://assetica.net/uk-business-valuation/) - [Europe](https://assetica.net/europe-business-valuation/) - [Australia](https://assetica.net/australia-business-valuation/) ### Resources - [How much is my business worth?](https://assetica.net/how-much-is-my-business-worth-dubai/) - [Free business valuation calculator](https://assetica.net/business-valuation-calculator/) - [Startup and technology valuation](https://assetica.net/startup-technology-valuation/) - [UAE valuation facts and figures](https://assetica.net/uae-business-valuation-facts/) - [Valuation insights and guides](https://assetica.net/blog/) - [Latest insights](https://assetica.net/insights/) - [Industries we value](https://assetica.net/industries/) - [For lawyers and accountants](https://assetica.net/for-advisors/) ### About Assetica - [Business valuation Dubai and UAE](https://assetica.net//) - [About Assetica](https://assetica.net/about/) - [Bill Anderson, FCCA, CEO](https://assetica.net/team/bill-anderson/) - [Contact us](https://assetica.net/contact/) ### Browse by topic - [Business valuation articles](https://assetica.net/blog/category/business-valuation/) - [Selling a business](https://assetica.net/blog/category/business-sale/) - [Strategic value advisory](https://assetica.net/blog/category/strategic-advisory/) - [Financial reporting valuation](https://assetica.net/blog/category/financial-valuation/) - [Valuation risk management](https://assetica.net/blog/category/risk-management/) - [Pitch decks and fundraising](https://assetica.net/blog/category/pitch-deck/) Assetica, Office 304, Icon Tower, Barsha Heights (Tecom), Dubai, UAE. Telephone and WhatsApp [+971 52 979 8302](tel:+971529798302). Email [info@assetica.net](mailto:info@assetica.net).