1. Why the UAE Is Now the Default Hub for Russian Capital

Since 2022 the UAE has become the principal jurisdiction of choice for Russian businesses, family offices and HNW individuals seeking a neutral, stable and well-banked base outside the Russian Federation. The UAE is not a sanctioning jurisdiction, maintains full diplomatic and commercial relations with Moscow, applies a USD/AED peg, and offers a competitive 9% federal corporate tax regime — with a 0% rate available for qualifying free-zone income (subject to the latest amendments and implementing regulations).

2. Sanctions, Compliance and Reality

This Office advises clients on a strict lawful-only basis. We do not act for SDN-listed individuals or for entities subject to EU, UK, US or UN designations. For non-listed Russian clients, however, lawful incorporation, banking and residency in the UAE remain fully available, subject to enhanced due diligence. The modern reality is that UAE tier-1 banks have tightened risk appetite, while several tier-2 banks and licensed digital platforms continue to onboard Russian-owned SMEs with a properly prepared file.

3. Choosing the Right Vehicle

For trading and operating businesses with UAE customers, a mainland (onshore) company licensed by the relevant Department of Economic Development is now the cleanest route, with 100% foreign ownership permitted under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 (subject to the latest amendments).

For holding structures, family offices, fund vehicles and intellectual-property warehousing, the DIFC and ADGM — independent English common-law jurisdictions with their own courts — remain the preferred platforms. Both permit prescribed companies, foundations and dual-class share structures of the kind frequently used in succession and asset-protection planning.

4. Banking: Confidential Pre-Assessment

We do not promise account opening with any specific bank — no honest UAE adviser can. What we do is conduct a confidential pre-assessment of the client profile (residency, source of funds, counterparty exposure, sectoral activity), then route the file to the institution most likely to onboard it. The account-opening dossier must satisfy enhanced due diligence: notarised and apostilled constitutional chain, documented source of funds, beneficial ownership disclosure, and confirmation that no counterparty is subject to sanctions.

5. Asset Transfer Into the UAE

Every transfer of value from the Russian Federation to the UAE must be documented to a banking standard: legal basis for the transfer (contract of sale, loan, share-capital injection, dividend distribution), evidence of tax compliance in the originating jurisdiction, and consistency with applicable currency-control rules. Real-estate purchases in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are a common and accepted route, with title registered at the Dubai Land Department or the relevant Abu Dhabi authority.

6. Residency: Golden Visa and Beyond

The Golden Visa grants 10-year renewable residency to investors, entrepreneurs and specialised talent. For Russian investors the principal routes are real-estate investment (AED 2 million threshold), qualifying business investment, or the public-investment route via a licensed UAE fund. The principal sponsors spouse and children on a single file, and there is no minimum-stay obligation to maintain the visa.

7. Disputes and Enforcement

Cross-border disputes involving Russian parties are most efficiently referred to DIFC-LCIA or ADGM Arbitration Centre; both produce New York Convention awards which the Russian Federation has historically recognised. The DIFC Courts also operate a dedicated enforcement track for foreign judgments and arbitral awards.