From Ukraine to a
UAE company.
Ukrainian tech founders maintaining business continuity, IT outsourcing companies, agriculture and commodities traders, family wealth preservation. Diaspora context: approx 50,000 Ukrainian nationals and residents in the UAE (significant increase since 2022).
Key facts for Ukrainian founders.
- Ukraine corporate income tax: 18%
- Ukraine personal income tax: 18% + 5% military levy (from 2025)
- Ukraine-UAE DTA: in force since 2004; 5% dividend WHT qualified holdings
- UAE corporate tax: 9% above AED 375,000; 0% QFZP
- Ukraine CFC rules (effective 2022) attribute UAE profits
- NBU martial-law FX controls; eased for SME investment with documentation
Entry & residency
Ukrainian nationals receive 30-day visa-on-arrival. UAE company setup unlocks 2-year Investor Visa, 10-year Golden Visa, Employment Visas. Many Ukrainian founders have relocated since February 2022.
UAE bank onboarding
Ukrainian applicants are generally well-received at UAE banks (Mashreq, ENBD, Wio, ADCB) with standard KYC. Source-of-funds documentation should account for NBU martial-law decrees. Banking through pre-2022 Polish, Cypriot or Estonian accounts is common. 3-4 week onboarding.
Common questions from Ukraine.
Ukrainian founders asking the most common questions on UAE incorporation. Each answer is current to 2026.
Can Ukrainian nationals set up UAE companies during wartime?
Yes. UAE actively welcomes Ukrainian founders. Many Ukrainian IT companies, e-commerce founders and consultancies have relocated to IFZA, DMCC and Dubai Internet City since February 2022. UAE banks process Ukrainian applications under standard KYC with NBU FX-control attention for source-of-funds.
Does Ukraine tax my UAE company profits?
Yes, if Ukrainian tax resident. CFC rules (effective 2022) attribute UAE company profits to Ukrainian-resident shareholders owning 50%+. UAE CT is creditable. Becoming UAE tax resident (relocating) eliminates Ukrainian CFC exposure.
Is the Ukraine-UAE DTA in force?
Yes, since 2004. Caps dividend WHT at 5% for shareholdings of at least 10% capital, 15% otherwise. Interest WHT 3%, royalties 10%. UAE TRCs recognised by Ukraine State Tax Service.
How do NBU FX controls affect UAE setup?
Resolution 18/24-Feb-2022 restricts outbound capital but allows legitimate business investment with documentation. Ukrainian residents typically use pre-2022 offshore savings (Poland, Cyprus, Estonia, USA), export-receipts retained abroad, or family diaspora transfers.
Can I move my Kyiv IT company to UAE?
Yes. UAE leads alongside Poland, Estonia and Cyprus as a destination for Ukrainian IT relocation. Typical migration: incorporate UAE free-zone entity (IFZA, DMCC, Dubai Internet City), novate client contracts, relocate key personnel via Employment Visas, retain Ukrainian entity for local-talent hiring under contractor model.