Business setup in the UAE for Russian founders

The community here

The Russian community in the UAE grew substantially from 2022 and is concentrated in Dubai, particularly in property, technology, trading and professional services.

The trade corridor

Trade and investment flows have grown, though the banking relationships supporting them have become considerably more complex. Property investment has been the most visible channel.

Four things that differ for you

Document attestation

Russia is a party to the Apostille Convention, and apostilled documents with certified Arabic translation are generally accepted. Some authorities still request UAE consular legalisation, so confirm the requirement first.

Double taxation agreement

A double taxation agreement exists, though the treaty landscape between Russia and other jurisdictions has been volatile since 2022 and should be checked as at the date you rely on it rather than assumed.

Tax at home

Russia taxes residents on worldwide income with a day-count test, and has currency control and foreign account reporting obligations for residents that are genuinely onerous. Take Russian advice on both tax residence and account reporting.

Banking

This is the honest part: UAE banks apply enhanced due diligence to Russian nationals and to funds with a Russian nexus, and international correspondent banks add their own screening. Accounts are opened regularly, but source of funds must be documented to a higher standard, sanctioned-party screening is thorough, and some banks decline as a matter of policy rather than of assessment. Plan the banking route before choosing the jurisdiction, not after.

Jurisdictions worth looking at

Nothing on this page is tax advice, and home-country tax rules change. The UAE side we handle; the position in Russia needs an adviser there, ideally before you move rather than after. We will say so on the first call.