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	Cyprus Europe	United Arab Emirates Middle East	Antigua and Barbuda Central America & Caribbean
Overview	Cyprus is an EU member state with established routes for residency, company setup, and family relocation. Bordercase coordinates with regulated Cypriot lawyers and corporate-services providers for filings and ongoing compliance.	The United Arab Emirates is one of the most active jurisdictions for cross-border founders, remote professionals, and family relocations. It offers a wide menu of residency and company structures - federal mainland, free zone, and offshore - each with different banking, substance, and timeline implications.	Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean jurisdiction with a long-standing Citizenship by Investment programme and structured residency / corporate options. Bordercase coordinates with authorised local agents.
Best for	Founders Holding structures EU access English admin	Founders Banking Tax planning Families English admin	Second passport English admin Caribbean residency
Currency	EUR	AED	XCD
Language	Greek / English	Arabic / English	English
Time zone	UTC+2	UTC+4	UTC-4
EU member	Yes	No	No
Schengen	No	No	No
Residency	Cyprus residency routes: Permanent residency by investment (Cat F / Cat 6.2) Digital Nomad Visa Employment routes (including the international headquartering route) Family reunification The investor citizenship programme is closed.	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
Company setup	Cyprus Limited companies are widely used by international groups for IP, holding, and trading structures. Substance, local director, and accounting requirements have tightened in recent years and must be planned at setup.	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	Cypriot banks have strict KYC and source-of-funds processes following past compliance episodes. EMIs are widely used as supplements. Personal and corporate banking introductions go through vetted partners.	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	Family reunification is available on most routes. English-language schools (public and private) and healthcare options are widely accessible to legal residents.	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	Common pitfalls in Cyprus cases: Post-reform substance requirements underestimated Banking timelines longer than expected Permanent residency confused with citizenship (different programmes) Some sectors face additional KYC scrutiny	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
Documents	Typical document pack for Cyprus residency: Passport Criminal record certificate (apostilled) Proof of income / investment Health insurance valid in Cyprus Accommodation evidence Education certificates (for relevant routes) Marriage / birth certificates for family routes For company formation: business plan, ownership-chain documents, and KYC for all ultimate beneficial owners.	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

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