How We Helped YouTuber "Tech With Tim" Buy Property & Get a Golden Visa in Dubai (Testimonial)
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At GenZone, we’ve helped hundreds of entrepreneurs move to Dubai, set up their companies, and start a new chapter of their lives. But every so often, there’s a story that really sticks with us.
One of those stories is about Tim — a 34-year-old marketing consultant from the UK who decided it was time to take the plunge and relocate his business to Dubai.
This is not just a success story. It’s also a step-by-step breakdown of how we helped Tim go from “thinking about it” to running his company in Dubai in just a few weeks — and how you can follow the same process.
1. Tim’s Situation Before Contacting Us
When Tim first reached out, he had been running a small but successful marketing consultancy in London. His clients were mostly remote, and his income was growing — but so were his tax bills.
In 2024, the UK introduced higher tax thresholds for small business owners, and Tim realised he was giving away close to 40% of his profits in taxes. He had also been reading about Dubai’s 0% personal income tax and the vibrant expat community here.
Tim’s goals were simple:
Reduce his tax burden
Continue serving his existing clients remotely
Expand into the Middle East market
Secure a Dubai residency visa for himself
The problem? He didn’t know where to start.
Should he set up in a free zone or mainland? How much would it cost? How long would it take? And how could he avoid making expensive mistakes?
That’s where GenZone came in.
2. Step One – Understanding Tim’s Needs (The Consultation Call)
We always start with a free consultation call. It’s not a sales pitch — it’s about understanding the client’s goals, budget, and priorities.
On the call with Tim, we covered:
Business activity – Marketing consultancy, with the ability to work with clients globally.
Client location – Mostly outside Dubai, so he didn’t need a mainland license to serve UAE-based customers.
Budget – Around $10,000 for setup, including his visa.
Timeline – As soon as possible.
Based on this, we recommended a Dubai free zone company setup — specifically in a free zone that:
Allowed 100% foreign ownership
Provided a 2-year residency visa
Offered fast incorporation times (under 7 business days)
Included a free co-working space option for meetings
3. Step Two – Choosing the Right Free Zone
Here’s something we always tell our clients:
“Choosing the right free zone is half the battle. The wrong one can cost you thousands in renewals and limit your business scope.”
We shortlisted 3 Dubai free zones for Tim:
Dubai Media City – Perfect for media and marketing businesses, but slightly more expensive.
Dubai Internet City – Great for tech-related companies, but more corporate in feel.
IFZA Dubai – Flexible, cost-effective, and fast to register.
Tim chose IFZA Dubai because it offered:
A business activity that matched his consultancy perfectly
A quick approval process (3–5 working days)
Affordable renewal fees
Easy banking introductions
4. Step Three – Documentation & Application
One thing that makes Dubai business setup stressful for many expats is paperwork. Luckily, with GenZone, Tim barely lifted a finger.
Here’s what we needed from him:
Passport copy (with 6+ months validity)
Passport-sized photo (digital)
Proof of current address (utility bill or bank statement)
That’s it.
We filled in all application forms, liaised with the free zone authority, and submitted everything on his behalf.
Pro Tip: In Dubai, your documents must match exactly — even small errors in spelling can delay your application. We double-check every submission to avoid this.
5. Step Four – Company Registration
Once the documents were submitted, IFZA processed the application within 3 business days.
Tim received:
Trade License – Officially registering his company in Dubai.
Certificate of Incorporation – Confirmation of the legal entity.
Share Certificate – Proof of ownership.
We sent him scanned copies immediately so he could start reaching out to potential Dubai-based clients while waiting for his visa.
6. Step Five – Residency Visa Process
The next step was to get Tim’s Dubai residency visa.
The process went like this:
Entry Permit Issued – We emailed it to him so he could enter Dubai.
Medical Test & Biometrics – Standard in Dubai, completed in one day.
Emirates ID Application – Required for all residents, ready in about a week.
From start to finish, Tim had his residency visa in under 10 working days.
7. Step Six – Bank Account Setup
Banking in Dubai can be tricky without the right introductions. Many banks require:
A local trade license
A valid visa
A minimum balance requirement
We introduced Tim to a relationship manager at a Dubai-based bank that works with consultants. Within 5 days, his account was open — complete with online banking and multi-currency support.
8. The Results
Tim officially launched his Dubai-based company within 3 weeks of our first call.
Here’s what he gained:
0% Personal Income Tax – Keeping more of his earnings.
Dubai Residency Visa – Freedom to live, work, and travel in the UAE.
Global Client Base – Still serving UK and EU clients remotely.
Middle East Expansion – Access to a whole new market.
Tim told us:
“I was expecting months of back-and-forth paperwork. Instead, GenZone handled everything, and I was up and running before I knew it.”
9. Lessons from Tim’s Case
If you’re thinking about registering a business in Dubai, here’s what Tim’s journey teaches us:
Free zone vs. mainland matters – Your choice affects costs, flexibility, and tax benefits.
Banking is easier with the right contacts – Don’t try to go it alone.
Small mistakes can cause big delays – Attention to detail saves time.
You don’t need to be in Dubai to start – We did most of Tim’s setup remotely.
10. How You Can Do the Same
At GenZone, we believe setting up a business in Dubai should be clear, fast, and transparent. No hidden fees, no upselling — just results.
Here’s our 3-step formula for new clients:
Free Consultation – We assess your goals and recommend the right license.
Full Setup Support – We handle every step, from paperwork to visas.
Post-Setup Guidance – We help with banking, renewals, and scaling in Dubai.
