Wealth Migration from India to the UAE: Determinants, Policy Frameworks and Strategic Implications for HNW Families

India is experiencing one of the largest wealth migrations in its modern history. 
Reports suggest that thousands of millionaires have already left or are in the process of relocating, and many more high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra high-net-worth (UHNW) families are actively exploring second residency options. At the same time, India’s millionaire population continues to grow rapidly, which means the story is not one of decline, but of Indian wealth becoming increasingly global. 

Within this global shift, the United Arab Emirates has emerged as the preferred destination. The UAE consistently tops wealth inflow rankings and is forecast to attract more millionaire migrants than any other country in the coming years. For many HNW Indians, it is the obvious choice: familiar, nearby, tax-efficient, business-friendly and already home to a large and influential Indian community. 

This guide is written for HNW Indians who are thinking about a move to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or another emirate, and for the visa companies, relocation firms, wealth managers, tax specialists and property advisors who support them. It explains why the flow of HNW Indians to the UAE is rising, how the policy and tax environment works, what residency options are available, and what a well-structured relocation actually looks like in practice. 
 

The India-UAE relationship has deepened significantly in the last decade. Since the Indian Prime Minister’s landmark visit in 2015, the two countries have elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This was further strengthened by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022, which has boosted trade and investment flows. 

In June 2024, the Joint Committee on Consular Affairs met in Abu Dhabi and made concrete progress on liberalising visa policies, improving information sharing, speeding up consular access, and enhancing cooperation on extradition and mutual legal assistance. In plain language, this means it is gradually becoming easier, more predictable and safer for Indians to live, work and invest in the UAE. 

For wealthy Indian families, that growing institutional framework matters. When you are relocating capital, businesses and family members across borders, you want a corridor that is not only commercially attractive, but also politically stable and administratively cooperative. The India–UAE corridor now offers exactly that. 

India regularly appears in lists of countries experiencing high millionaire outflows, alongside China and the UK. At first glance, numbers like four or five thousand HNWIs leaving each year look dramatic. However, these figures sit within a much larger context. Over the past decade, India’s millionaire population has risen strongly, driven by high growth in sectors such as technology, financial services, manufacturing and consumer businesses. The country’s ultra-rich segment, those with a net worth above 25 crore rupees, is expected to expand significantly again by 2028. 

Most wealthy families who leave do not cut ties with India. They keep businesses, equity stakes, homes and family offices in the country. Many continue to list companies, invest in startups and hold commercial real estate domestically. In practice, what is happening is less a brain drain and more a redistribution of tax residency and lifestyle, while economic ties with India remain intact. 

Capital controls and remittance rules also play a role. Indian residents are generally subject to strict annual limits on how much money they can move abroad under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, and non-residents are also subject to defined ceilings and documentation. That naturally pushes families towards phased, structured moves rather than abrupt exits.

Why HNW Indians Are Looking Abroad 

Several overlapping forces are driving HNW and UHNW Indians to consider options outside India. 

First, there is the simple question of lifestyle. Many wealthy families say they want cleaner air, safer cities, shorter commutes, more predictable infrastructure and better access to high-quality healthcare. Education is another major driver: parents want their children to attend top international schools and have smoother pathways to global universities. For them, relocating is often framed as an investment in the next generation rather than an escape from India. 

Second, there is the business and regulatory environment. India has made major strides in formalising its economy through digitisation, tighter tax enforcement, and systems like UPI, GST, PAN-linked payments and Aadhaar-based identity. This has helped the state broaden its tax base and improve compliance, but it has also increased the complexity and visibility of financial affairs for business owners. Some entrepreneurs welcome this and adjust accordingly. Others look to balance their exposure by establishing a base in jurisdictions with simpler tax systems, clearer rules and stable long-term frameworks. 

Third, surveys of ultra-rich Indians help to quantify the mood. Research by private banking and wealth firms has found that roughly one in five UHNIs is either planning to migrate or already in the process, and around 22 percent openly express a desire to leave. They cite better living conditions abroad, more welcoming business environments, superior healthcare and education, and greater global mobility as key reasons. Interestingly, many of these individuals say they want to maintain their Indian citizenship and identity. The goal is not to abandon India, but to add an additional platform for their families and businesses. 

Finally, the treatment of newer asset classes, especially cryptocurrencies and other virtual digital assets, has pushed some sophisticated investors to look overseas. India’s regime for these assets is strict, with high flat tax rates, tax deducted at source on transaction values and limited ability to offset losses. For large-scale digital asset investors, moving tax residency can be one of several tools to manage their global exposure. 

  

Against this backdrop, the UAE stands out as the single most attractive destination for HNW Indians. The reasons cut across tax, business, lifestyle and culture. 

The UAE’s tax regime is often the starting point. Individuals pay no personal income tax, and there is no tax on most capital gains or on global income. There is no inheritance tax framework comparable to those in Europe or North America. This makes the UAE highly attractive for wealth preservation, succession planning and intergenerational transfers. Although the country introduced a 9 percent corporate tax in 2023, its overall burden remains low by international standards, and the change has arguably increased the system’s credibility with regulators and institutions abroad. 

Equally important is the business environment. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are well-established global hubs for trade, finance, logistics, technology and professional services. They offer clear legal frameworks, functioning courts, and specialist free zones for sectors like finance and commodities. For Indian entrepreneurs who are used to regulatory complexity at home, the ability to set up and run a regional headquarters in a jurisdiction with consistent rules and benign taxation is a major advantage. 

The presence of a large and mature Indian community adds another layer of comfort. Indian expats in the UAE are deeply embedded in business, professions and society. In recent years, Indian private banks and wealth management firms have expanded their footprint in Dubai and Abu Dhabi specifically to serve these clients. This means that HNW Indians can often work with familiar institutions and advisers while enjoying the benefits of UAE residency. 

Geography and culture also matter. The UAE is a short flight away from Indian metros, which makes it easy to maintain personal and business ties. Time zones are aligned closely enough to allow seamless daily communication. There is also a high level of cultural familiarity, from language and food to festivals and social networks. For many families, Dubai feels less like a foreign country and more like an extension of the Indian urban ecosystem, with added global polish. 

Finally, lifestyle sits at the centre of the UAE’s appeal. The country offers modern, master-planned cities, secure residential communities, international schools following British, American, IB and Indian curricula, and a wide range of healthcare providers. Real estate options range from luxury apartments in central districts to waterfront villas and gated communities. For many HNW Indians, the upgrade in day-to-day living is one of the most compelling reasons to move. 
 

When HNW Indians look at UAE residency for Indians, they typically consider three main routes: the Golden Visa, property-linked residency and business or investor visas. 

The Golden Visa is the flagship. It offers long-term residency, usually for five or ten years, to investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals and certain categories of exceptional talent. Golden Visa holders can live, work and study in the UAE and sponsor family members. They enjoy a degree of security and independence that traditional employment-linked visas do not provide. Although rumours periodically circulate about simplified “lifetime” visas for a flat fee, the authorities have been clear that such stories are unfounded. Genuine Golden Visa routes are tied to criteria such as investment size, professional status or contribution to the UAE economy. 

Property-linked visas are another popular route, especially for those who are relocating primarily for lifestyle. By purchasing qualifying real estate above certain thresholds, HNW Indians can obtain residency rights linked to their ownership. The precise rules and thresholds evolve, and they can differ between emirates and visa types, which is why many families consult specialist property advisors or migration consultants before proceeding. In practice, many families combine their housing search with their residency planning, choosing locations and property types that align with both their lifestyle preferences and visa goals. 

Business and investor visas are particularly relevant for Indian entrepreneurs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These visas are tied to shareholding or investment in local companies, whether in a free zone or on the mainland. Free zones offer benefits such as full foreign ownership, sector-specific ecosystems and streamlined incorporation processes. Mainland entities, by contrast, provide direct access to the broader UAE market and government contracts. Recent legal changes have relaxed local ownership rules in many sectors, making mainland structures more attractive to foreign investors than they were in the past. For families with existing businesses in India, it is common to set up a UAE holding company or regional headquarters as part of a wider corporate restructuring. 
 

For HNW Indians, moving to the UAE is not just about buying a property or applying for a visa. It is a financial and legal project that needs careful planning on both sides of the border. 

The starting point is understanding how and when Indian tax residency will change. India applies residence tests based on days spent in the country within a given financial year and over multiple years. Families usually work with tax advisers to map out the timing of their move and ensure that they fully understand when they will cease to be residents for Indian tax purposes and what that implies for their global income. 

Despite changing residency, most HNW families keep significant assets in India. That means India continues to tax certain streams of income, such as rental income, dividends or gains from Indian assets. Planning often involves a detailed review of which investments remain in India, which are gradually shifted abroad and how both are held. Some families use Non-Resident External (NRE) and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts to manage flows between India and the UAE. Others create trusts or corporate vehicles to hold assets in a way that aligns with their long-term estate and succession plans. 

Asset allocation is another key topic. Surveys of UHNIs show that equity remains the preferred asset class, followed by real estate, debt instruments and alternative assets. A move to the UAE does not usually mean abandoning Indian markets. Instead, it often leads to a more diversified portfolio, where India remains an important growth engine while the UAE and other global markets are used for diversification, currency balance and access to different sectors. 

Professional advice is essential here. Cross-border tax rules are complex, and what works for one family may not work for another. A well-structured plan can make the difference between a smooth, efficient transition and a costly, stressful one. 
 

For many HNW Indians, especially those who have built their wealth through entrepreneurship, the business angle is central. They do not only want a safe place to live. They want a strategic platform from which to expand into the Middle East, Africa or Europe. 

Free zones provide one route. These are designated areas that offer foreign investors 100 percent ownership, a clear regulatory environment and, in some cases, specialised infrastructure for particular industries. Financial free zones, for example, offer robust frameworks for banking, asset management and professional services, often with their own courts and legal systems. Commodity-focused zones provide infrastructure for trading and logistics. Technology and media zones house start-ups, content companies and digital businesses. Many Indian founders choose free zones for holding companies, regional headquarters or service entities that support their global operations. 

Mainland companies are also increasingly popular. They allow businesses to trade directly within the UAE and participate more fully in the local economy. Historically, foreign investors needed local partners for many mainland activities, but regulatory reforms have reduced those requirements in numerous sectors. For Indian entrepreneurs who see the UAE not just as a base but as a market in its own right, mainland structures can be an attractive option. 

Whichever model is chosen, success depends on building the right advisory team. Corporate lawyers, tax specialists, auditors, private bankers and immigration advisers all play a part in designing and implementing a coherent structure. For firms that position themselves as the best visa companies in the UAE, offering coordinated access to this broader professional network can be a powerful differentiator. 
 

For all the focus on tax and business, most HNW relocation decisions are, at heart, family decisions. The questions that matter most are often very human: where will the children go to school, what will everyday life feel like, and how quickly will everyone settle. 

On education, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer a wide range of international schools. Families can choose from British, American, IB and Indian curricula, often in schools with long track records and diverse student bodies. Popular schools can have waiting lists, so admissions need to be planned ahead, especially for older children or those preparing for key exam years. 

Healthcare is another important factor. The UAE has modern hospitals, clinics and specialist centres, many of which meet international standards. Wealthy families often combine local private insurance with international medical cover that allows treatment in multiple countries if needed. 

Housing choices are shaped by both preference and visa strategy. Some families gravitate toward high-rise living in central districts with easy access to business hubs, restaurants and cultural venues. Others prefer villas in gated communities with private gardens, clubhouses and schools nearby. Real estate advisors who understand both the property market and residency rules can add significant value by aligning housing decisions with longer-term plans. 

Beyond these practicalities, Indian expats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi often highlight the ease of integration. Social networks, cultural institutions, religious centres and community events help new arrivals feel at home quickly. For many HNW Indians, this soft infrastructure is as important as the hard infrastructure of roads and buildings. 
 

Every HNW relocation is unique, but most successful moves follow a similar narrative arc. Families start by clarifying their objectives: are they optimising tax, improving quality of life, securing better education for their children, diversifying business risk, or some combination of all four. They then map out their current and future tax residency status, usually with the help of professional advisers, and decide when it makes sense to transition to NRI status from the perspective of Indian law. 

Once that framework is clear, attention turns to residency routes. Some opt first for property-linked visas, others go straight toward Golden Visa applications or business-linked visas tied to free zone or mainland entities. In parallel, they review their asset allocation, deciding what to keep in India, what to move over time, and what new investments to make in the UAE or elsewhere. 

Banking relationships are opened or expanded in the UAE, while NRE and NRO accounts are adjusted in India. Schools are shortlisted and admissions processes begun. Temporary accommodation is arranged, followed by the search for a long-term home that suits both family life and visa criteria. Over time, business structures are refined, personal routines are established, and the UAE becomes not just a bolt-hole but a genuine second home. 
 

The movement of HNW Indians to the UAE has clear benefits for the destination country. It brings foreign exchange, investment in local stock markets and real estate, and the creation of jobs in sectors such as finance, property, hospitality and services. It also deepens the role of the UAE as a global wealth hub and gateway connecting Asia, Europe and Africa. 

For India, the picture is more complex, but not necessarily negative. While it does lose some resident HNWIs each year, it continues to create new ones at an even faster pace. Many emigrants maintain deep economic ties, from continuing to own businesses to investing in Indian capital markets. In that sense, Indian wealth is not disappearing. It is changing shape, moving across borders and embedding itself in global networks. 

India’s global standing is therefore not undermined by this process. If anything, it reflects the country’s rise. As more Indian entrepreneurs and professionals succeed at scale, it is natural that some will look to diversify where they live, where they hold assets and how they structure their family’s future. The UAE has been quick to recognise that and has deliberately positioned itself as their first choice. 
 

For many HNW and UHNW Indian families, the question is no longer whether to stay in India or leave it. The more relevant question is whether to add a second base that offers tax efficiency, global reach and a high quality of life, without severing roots at home. The UAE, and particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, answer that question convincingly. 

For families, the move can mean cleaner air, safer streets, better schools and more predictable healthcare, combined with a sophisticated financial centre and a benign tax regime. For Indian expats in Dubai, it often feels like a natural extension of their existing lives, just with a broader horizon. For HNW Indians UAE relocation has become less of an experiment and more of a well-trodden path.