The UAE tops the world for millionaire migration again

The United Arab Emirates sits at the top of the table again. The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, published today, June 24, by the investment migration firm Henley & Partners, forecasts a net inflow of about 9,800 millionaires to the UAE this year. That is roughly 2,300 more than the United States in second place.

The report counts people with at least US$1 million in liquid investable wealth and estimates where they will move over the year. Henley estimates that the 9,800 arrivals will bring around US$63 billion in investable wealth with them.

The numbers

A record 142,000 millionaires are expected to relocate internationally in 2025. The largest net inflows forecast in the report are:

• United Arab Emirates: 9,800
• United States: 7,500
• Saudi Arabia: 2,400
• Italy: 2,200
• Switzerland: 1,500

On the other side of the ledger, the United Kingdom is forecast to lose a net 16,500 millionaires, the largest outflow recorded for any country in the decade Henley has tracked the data, and the first time a European country has led the list. China follows with a net loss of 7,800 and India with 3,500. France, Spain and Germany are all forecast to see net outflows for the first time. The UAE is among the top destinations for departing British millionaires, alongside the United States, Italy and Switzerland.

These are estimates built from a private wealth database rather than official immigration statistics, so they are best read as a direction of travel rather than a precise count.

Why the UAE keeps winning

The reasons are familiar. There is no personal income tax. Companies pay corporate tax at 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000 (about US$102,000), with 0% below that, under a regime that applies to financial years starting on or after June 1, 2023. Free zone companies that meet the conditions can keep their existing incentives on qualifying income. Add political stability, strong infrastructure, direct flights to most of the world and, increasingly, a legal system that offers secular options for family matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance.

The Gulf is also becoming a wealth centre in its own right. The report expects the UAE’s millionaire population to reach about 130,500 people, with around 325 centi millionaires, meaning people with more than US$100 million, and 28 billionaires.

How people actually move

Wealth on its own does not grant the right to live in the UAE. A residence visa does, and there are several ways to get one:

• The Golden Visa for property investors. A long term renewable residence visa for people who own property worth at least AED 2 million, about US$545,000. Holders can sponsor a spouse and children, and the visa does not lapse if they spend more than six months outside the country.
• A company and an investor visa. Many people set up a free zone company, which can sponsor its owner for a two year residence visa without any property purchase.
• Employment and other categories. Skilled professionals, entrepreneurs with an approved project and certain other groups have their own routes.

Two year visas generally lapse after more than six consecutive months abroad, which matters for anyone who travels a great deal.

What it means if you are considering the UAE

The UAE works well as a long term base: a place to hold a residence visa, run a company and, with genuine presence, become tax resident. A visa alone does not settle your tax position; the UAE issues tax residency certificates based on time spent and ties, and your home country rules matter just as much. Citizenship is granted only in exceptional cases, so people who want a second passport usually pair UAE residency with a citizenship program.

We help clients choose between the property, company and other routes, work with our local team in the UAE, and quote our fees in writing.

This article is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice.