Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

BVI presence options:

• Work permits - employer-sponsored
• Residency for HNW under specific programmes
• Limited tourist / business visit arrangements

Common UAE residency routes:

• Investor / property routes via business ownership or qualifying real estate
• Employment-based residency through a mainland or free-zone company (most common)
• Freelance and remote-work permits where eligible
• Golden Visa for qualifying investors, specialists, and outstanding talents
• Dependant sponsorship for spouse, children, and in some cases parents

Quotas, thresholds, and route definitions are revised frequently and vary by emirate.

Antigua & Barbuda routes:

• Citizenship by Investment (CBI) via fund contribution or qualifying real-estate investment
• Standard work permits
• Family routes including spouse, dependent children and parents under conditions

BVI Business Companies (BVI BC) are the standard structure. Economic substance applies to relevant activities; UBO reporting is mandatory.

Mainland LLCs allow trade across the UAE and government contracts; free-zone companies (DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, ADGM, DIFC, and others) suit international service businesses; offshore companies are limited to holding structures. Bordercase coordinates with licensed corporate-services partners in each free zone and mainland.

IBCs are common in international structures. Reporting and substance frameworks have tightened.

Banking access has tightened materially; EMIs are common supplements. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Personal and corporate accounts in the UAE require thorough KYC, substance evidence, and clear source of funds. Bordercase prepares the documentation pack and introduces vetted banks and EMIs; final approval is the bank's discretion.

Banking is selective. KYC and source-of-funds documentation are central. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions.

Family inclusion follows the main route. International schools are limited.

Dependants - spouse, children, and in some cases parents - can be sponsored under most residency permits. Schooling, dependent insurance, and Emirates ID processes typically follow the main applicant's residency.

CBI applications can include qualifying dependents under conditions.

Risks Bordercase watches for in the BVI:

• Economic substance reporting
• UBO disclosure and beneficial ownership reform
• Reputational handling around offshore structures

Risks Bordercase watches for in UAE cases:

• Bank account rejection - unclear source of funds, complex ownership, certain industries
• Free-zone choice misaligned with the actual business activity
• Substance requirements underestimated (real office, real operations)
• Past visa rejections in any country must be disclosed and prepared for
• Restricted nationalities for certain banking partners

Risks Bordercase watches for:

• Programme parameters change
• Due diligence has tightened
• Reputational and revocation risks if information is misrepresented

Typical BVI documents:

• Passport
• Source-of-funds evidence
• KYC for all UBOs
• Apostilled foreign documents

Typical document pack for UAE residency:

• Passport copies (6+ months valid)
• Recent biometric photos
• Education / qualification certificates (attested)
• Business plan (for investor / free-zone routes)
• Source-of-funds evidence
• Bank statements (6-12 months)
• Existing company documents where applicable
• Medical examination + Emirates ID enrolment after entry

Documents from abroad typically require notarisation and legalisation (UAE attestation chain).

Typical CBI documents:

• Passport
• Due diligence questionnaires
• Source-of-funds evidence (extensive)
• Family certificates with apostille and translation