By Bill Anderson, FCCA, Chief Executive Officer — Assetica, Dubai, UAE
Definition: UK owners relocating to Dubai typically need an independent business valuation for the sale (Capital Gains Tax and Business Asset Disposal Relief), the temporary non-residence rules, the UAE Golden Visa business route (equity worth at least AED 2 million, about GBP 425,000), and HMRC-defensible share valuations. Assetica works both sides from its London and Dubai offices, to RICS and IVS standards.
Selling your UK business before the move triggers Capital Gains Tax, and Business Asset Disposal Relief can reduce the rate on a qualifying sale within a lifetime limit. The gain, and the tax, depend on the sale value, so a defensible standards-based valuation supports both the price you negotiate and the figure you report to HMRC.
The UK does not levy a broad exit tax on shares, but the temporary non-residence rules can tax gains realised while non-resident if you return within the relevant window, so a valuation dated to departure establishes the position. 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.
Most UK owners juggle a UK accountant and a separate UAE valuer, and the numbers drift apart. Assetica fixes the valuation date, methodology and normalised earnings once, then formats the output for HMRC and the GDRFA, so every authority sees the same underlying value. Typical delivery five to seven business days.
Does the UK charge an exit tax when I move to Dubai?
The UK does not levy a broad exit tax on company shares the way some EU countries do. However, the temporary non-residence rules mean gains realised while you are non-resident can be taxed if you return to the UK within the relevant window, and selling your business still triggers Capital Gains Tax. A valuation dated to your departure or disposal establishes the market value that these rules rest on.
What is Business Asset Disposal Relief and how does valuation affect it?
Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs' Relief) can reduce the Capital Gains Tax rate on a qualifying business sale, subject to a lifetime limit. The gain, and therefore the tax, depends on the sale value, so a defensible, standards-based valuation supports both the price you negotiate and the figure you report to HMRC.
How much is the AED 2 million Golden Visa threshold in pounds?
Roughly GBP 425,000 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.
Do you have a UK presence?
Yes. Assetica operates from London as well as Dubai, so UK owners relocating to the UAE get a single team that understands both the HMRC side and the GDRFA side, producing one consistent valuation formatted for each authority.
How long does the valuation take?
Typically five to seven business days from receiving your UK accounts, 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.