The Lifestyle Dividend: Why Indian UHNWIs Are Choosing Dubai for Quality of Life and Opportunity

Three hours is all it takes to fly from Mumbai to Dubai, yet Indian ultra-high-net-worth families increasingly make this journey permanent. In my years at Henley & Partners advising high-net-worth and Non-Resident Indian families, I’ve watched Dubai transform from a convenient stopover into the world’s premier wealth destination.

The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025 forecasts a net inflow of 9,800 millionaires in the UAE this year, up from 7,200 in 2024, with Indians forming the largest contingent among them.

Raw migration statistics tell only part of the story. Indian families aren’t just chasing zero percent tax rates or golden visas; factors such as personal security, political stability, quality education for their children, and access to world-class healthcare systems are key considerations when evaluating their migration strategies.

Consider what may draw a Mumbai textile magnate to establish her family office in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Tax efficiency matters, certainly. But she may seek offshore succession-planning tools apart from onshore legacy planning in India. The DIFC’s Family Arrangement Regulations, enacted in 2023, enable her to structure wealth transfers that honor modern governance as well as joint family traditions. She can appoint professional trustees while maintaining family control, blend Shariah-compliant and conventional investments, and create structures that both her London-educated daughter and her Ahmedabad-based son understand.

Among the top source markets for high-net-worth relocation to the UAE over the past decade, India accounts for 31%. The four million Indians now residing in the UAE have transformed entire neighborhoods. Hindi, Malayalam, and Gujarati flow through conference rooms where deals connect Indian suppliers with Middle Eastern buyers. The millions of Indian expats in the UAE have built commercial networks that leverage Dubai’s geographic position to expand their traditional trade routes across continents.

The UAE Golden Visa commands attention for good reason, offering 10-year long-term residence for investors with AED 2 million in public funds, real estate, or business capital, as well as specialized professionals such as C-suite executives or outstanding talents such as scientists, doctors, and athletes. Five-year visas are available for real estate investors aged 55 and over (AED 1 million) and entrepreneurs launching innovative projects valued at AED 500,000 with official approvals. Indian families recognize exceptional value in the golden visa’s flexibility. Unlike some residence programs that require extended physical presence or restrict business activities, the UAE’s framework accommodates how many Indian entrepreneurs function—namely, maintaining active interests across multiple countries while building a genuine presence in each.

International education often triggers relocation decisions. Dozens of Dubai’s 200-plus international schools offer Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) curricula alongside International Baccalaureate programs. Indian parents value that their children are able to study Sanskrit and Indian classical music in the morning, then collaborate with classmates from multiple nationalities in the afternoon. Schools celebrate Diwali with official holidays, Holi with campus-wide festivities. Children develop genuinely international perspectives without losing their cultural moorings.

The financial infrastructure supporting wealth migration has evolved dramatically. Prominent Indian wealth management and multi-family office entities have all established major UAE operations. These institutions understand that serving India’s wealth means being present where that wealth increasingly resides. A family office in Mumbai can now coordinate seamlessly with advisors in DIFC to execute transactions that would have required multiple intermediaries and weeks of paperwork just a few years ago.

Many Indian women professionals are choosing Dubai for practical reasons. They schedule evening meetings without safety concerns and build businesses without the infrastructure limitations common in Indian cities. Female entrepreneurs can leverage Dubai’s position to source from European suppliers, manufacture in India, and distribute across Gulf markets—with the added assurance of being able to walk home safely after late meetings if they choose.

The unique start-up ecosystem deserves special recognition. The UAE’s intellectual property protections, combined with access to sovereign wealth funds and international venture capital, unlock opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs looking to expand globally. Tech founders prototype in Dubai’s free zones, manufacture in India, and sell worldwide while maintaining 15-minute commutes.

By the end of 2024, DIFC reported that the top 120 families and high-net-worth individuals in its ecosystem were managing over USD 1.2 trillion in wealth. Its English common law framework, independent courts, and robust structures for foundations and trusts continue to attract global families. When succession disputes arise—inevitable in any culture—the DIFC Family Wealth Centre and specialized family wealth courts offer resolution mechanisms that balance legal rigour with sensitivity to family dynamics.

Daily life in Dubai offers what some clients describe as “India enhanced”—familiar comforts with first-world reliability. Families employ Indian household staff through established networks. The food scene ranges from neighborhood eateries that serve authentic pani puri to Michelin-starred restaurants showcasing refined Indian cuisine. Indian doctors work at world-class medical facilities, an important factor for those considering care for their elderly parents.

Recent regulatory changes solidified Dubai’s advantages. The 2020 personal status law amendments allow Indian families to follow Hindu, Christian, or Parsi inheritance customs without navigating Islamic law requirements. The 2023 introduction of 9% corporate tax enhanced rather than diminished appeal—serious businesses see a maturing economy adhering to international standards, not an unpredictable haven.

Looking to the future, Dubai’s trajectory aligns well with Indian ambitions. For one, the UAE’s USD 1.4 trillion AI investment commitment creates opportunities for India’s growing tech talent.

For some Indian ultra-high-net-worth individuals, Dubai has evolved from option to necessity. The emirate provides tools indispensable for global competition while preserving what makes Indian family businesses distinctive. The Mumbai–Dubai flight has become a bridge between heritage and opportunity, enabling families to expand internationally without abandoning their essence.

At Henley & Partners, we have guided thousands of clients as they navigate strategic transitions. The most successful Indian families view Dubai as operational headquarters for global expansion while maintaining deep Indian roots. They construct resilient wealth architectures designed to endure across generations. They ensure children inherit both financial assets and cultural values. For India’s globally minded families, Dubai represents not just a lifestyle dividend but a strategic multiplier, enhancing all they have built while opening doors they never knew existed.