Dubai Overtakes Singapore As The Ultimate Refuge For Wealthy Chinese Nationals, Escaping Tightened Immigration Rules And Gaining Unmatched Residency Perks

Published on November 11, 2025

As Singapore’s immigration policies become increasingly stringent, wealthy Chinese investors are turning to Dubai for its more attractive residency options. The UAE’s golden visa program, coupled with its favorable tax environment, offers a compelling alternative to Singapore’s slow approval processes and tough residency requirements. This shift reflects growing frustration with Singapore’s regulatory changes, pushing high-net-worth individuals to seek greater flexibility and security in Dubai’s business-friendly climate.

The UAE is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for wealthy Chinese nationals looking to establish family offices, driven by its golden visa program and favorable tax incentives. This shift marks a significant departure from traditional destinations like Singapore, as many investors in China seek more welcoming and accessible options for securing residency and long-term presence.

According to a report by the Financial Times, numerous financial experts and private bankers have observed a marked increase in inquiries from Chinese citizens interested in relocating to the UAE. This growing trend is seen as a direct response to the challenges associated with establishing residency in Singapore, where tightening immigration policies and slower approval processes have led to dissatisfaction among wealthy foreign investors.

Establishing a family office has emerged as one of the most efficient ways for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) to gain residency or long-term stay in the UAE. Private bankers in the region suggest that Chinese nationals are particularly keen on this strategy, viewing the UAE’s business environment and lifestyle benefits as increasingly attractive.

UAE’s Golden Visa and Tax Perks Fueling the Shift

At the heart of this shift is the UAE’s 10-year golden visa program, designed to attract investors, skilled professionals, and their families. The golden visa offers long-term residency and a host of incentives that have proven irresistible to international investors. According to official data, nearly 80,000 golden visas were issued in 2022, a significant increase from 47,000 in the previous year. This surge highlights the growing appeal of the UAE as a destination for relocation and investment.

In addition to the golden visa, the UAE’s favorable tax environment plays a crucial role in drawing foreign investment. The UAE is known for its predictable tax system, with low or no taxes on personal income, capital gains, or inheritance. This predictable and light-touch tax regime makes the country an even more attractive proposition for wealthy individuals and families looking to preserve and grow their wealth in a stable, business-friendly environment.

By mid-2025, the number of family-related entities registered within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) had risen to over 1,000. This marked a significant increase from 800 entities at the end of 2024 and 600 in 2023. Though the UAE does not publicly disclose the nationalities of those establishing family offices, experts suggest that a large proportion of the new entrants are Chinese nationals seeking to take advantage of the UAE’s incentives.

The “Mid-Segment” of Chinese Investors

Many of the Chinese investors showing interest in the UAE are those with assets between $50 million and $200 million—referred to as the “mid-segment” of high-net-worth families. These individuals are often entrepreneurial and may feel increasingly uneasy about business conditions in mainland China or Hong Kong. This segment is particularly drawn to the UAE’s dynamic business environment, its robust infrastructure, and the country’s welcoming approach to foreign investors.

With political and economic uncertainty growing in certain parts of Asia, particularly in China, the UAE’s stable governance and favorable economic policies have made it a compelling option for those seeking to safeguard their wealth. Advisers working with these clients report that many are increasingly disillusioned with the tightening business environment in China and are looking for alternatives that offer more predictability and opportunities for expansion.

The Race with Singapore’s Family Office Ecosystem

While Dubai’s family office ecosystem is growing at a rapid pace, it still lags behind Singapore in terms of infrastructure, depth, and regulation. The government of Singapore introduced a series of incentives over the past few years that have led to a surge in family office applications, as foreign investors see it as a reliable path toward permanent residency. In 2022 alone, the number of family offices in Singapore rose by 43%, surpassing 2,000, a clear sign of the country’s growing prominence in the global wealth management sector.

Singapore also remains a leader in offering a stable regulatory environment and strong legal protections for investors. However, the country has become more selective in recent years, particularly when it comes to applications from Chinese nationals. Immigration consultants have noted that while Singapore grants tens of thousands of permanent residencies and citizenships annually, approval rates for high-net-worth individuals from China have significantly dropped to as low as 8.25%. This scrutiny has only intensified following a high-profile money-laundering case involving individuals linked to China’s Fujian province, further dampening the appeal of Singapore for some Chinese investors.

The Gulf’s Emerging Appeal for Crypto Entrepreneurs

An emerging trend within the Gulf’s wealth management ecosystem is the influx of Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneurs, who are increasingly looking to the UAE as a hub for their businesses. Dubai’s proactive stance on regulating digital assets has positioned the city as a leader in the cryptocurrency space. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai has granted full licenses to 39 crypto firms, positioning the emirate as an attractive destination for blockchain-based startups and investors.

In contrast, Singapore has adopted a more cautious approach, with the Monetary Authority of Singapore issuing only 36 digital payment licenses while cracking down on unlicensed platforms. This regulatory approach has prompted some cryptocurrency entrepreneurs to seek out more open and favorable environments like Dubai, where regulatory frameworks for digital assets are both transparent and supportive of business growth.

As the UAE’s golden visa program and tax incentives continue to attract wealthy Chinese investors, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are emerging as leading global hubs for family offices. While Singapore remains a top choice for many, the rising frustration with its tightening immigration rules and increasingly selective approval processes is driving more high-net-worth individuals to look toward the Gulf. With its favorable tax environment, robust infrastructure, and strategic focus on industries like cryptocurrency, the UAE’s appeal as a destination for investment and residency is only set to grow in the coming years.