Setting up in the UAE from Russia.
The treaty position, banking friction, visa pathway, and three recommended zones for Russian nationals incorporating in a UAE free zone.
01Tax treaty
Russia's tax treaty with the UAE was terminated in 2025 and remains paused. Russian tax residents are taxed on global income under domestic Russian rules with no UAE-treaty mitigation.
02Banking
Russian nationals face significant enhanced due diligence post-2022. Many UAE banks now decline Russian-passport-only applicants or require dual-citizenship or third-country residency. Mashreq, ENBD, and Wio Bank continue to accept Russian applicants with strong source-of-funds documentation.
03Visa pathway
Visa-free 90-day entry on Russian passport. Residency via free zone. Golden Visa via the standard investment routes is available; recent applications have seen slower processing for politically-exposed persons.
04Recommended for Russian founders
01Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
Zone profile ↗Cost-efficient setup and pragmatic acceptance — popular among recent arrivals.
02International Free Zone Authority
Zone profile ↗Reasonable banking access and pragmatic onboarding.
03MEYDAN
Zone profile ↗Premium Dubai address at modest cost — favoured by lifestyle relocators.
05Watch-outs
- OFAC and EU sanctions screening adds 2–6 weeks to bank onboarding — provide CV, source of funds, and prior tax returns proactively.
- Suspension of the Russia–UAE treaty means UAE-source dividends to Russian residents are no longer treaty-rated.
- PEP screening hits anyone with close family in Russian government or state-owned enterprises.
06Next step
Treaty status, banking friction, and visa eligibility set the constraints. Your activity, budget, and team size pick the zone. Take the 90-second wizard to get a personalised match.