Strategic relocation
& lifestyle management
We’ve lived the move ourselves - the decisions, the unknowns, and the cost of doing it alone. HNDLD exists to remove that friction for global professionals, entrepreneurs and families relocating to the UAE.
We guide every stage of the journey - from visas and business set-up, to homes, schools and daily life - through trusted individuals that we know personally. Our approach combines legal-grade precision, financial insight and on-the-ground experience, giving you clarity and access beyond what’s publicly available.
Co-founder led guidance is currently provided without charging consultation fees. We advise first, then introduce specialist partners only where execution is required, opening the right doors at the right time.
UAE rewards the informed - but can overwhelm the unprepared
Immigration, visa and tax residency rules
Real Estate laws, contracts, and deposit requirements
Banking procedures and KYC
Business licensing, structuring, and ownership regulations
Insurance frameworks and legal registrations
School admissions process and landscape
What we deliver
Phase 1: Exploration and Establishment
Real Estate
Independent guidance on purchases and rentals, with trusted advisory and discreet off-market sourcing.
Residency & Business Setup
End-to-end coordination for company formation, business banking, and securing UAE residency.
Relocation Logistics
Vetted international removal and relocation specialists to ensure a smooth transition from your home country.
Phase 2: Life in the UAE
Lifestyle & Community
Access to social networks, household staff, drivers, home maintenance, and trusted healthcare providers.
Private Client Support
Discreet introductions to leading legal, financial, tax, real estate, and wealth advisors.
Education & Family Setup
Personalised guidance on school placements, cultural fit, and the practical aspects of family life.
Our approach
We are
Advisory-led & Senior
Your move is coordinated directly by our co-founders - bringing legal and financial expertise, backed by real, lived experience of relocating and settling in the UAE.
We do
Access & Clarity
No two families are the same. We shape each move around your priorities, your timeline, and the life you want to build here.
We avoid
Commission Bias
There are no sales targets or hidden incentives. Your goals come first - and the plan follows from there.
Who we work with
Families relocating for enhanced lifestyle opportunities.
Executives moving to the UAE for new career opportunities.
Business owners establishing residency and building a presence in the region.
High-value individuals seeking privacy, structure, and long-term stability.
Understanding the migration to the UAE
Gulf News
01
More Britons advance plans to relocate to the UAE amid accelerating exodus
Coverage of accelerating UK-to-UAE relocation momentum, driven by lifestyle and fiscal advantages.
Read articleCity A.M.
02
Reeves has instigated a wealth and talent exodus - welcome to Rexit
Analysis of policy shifts prompting high-earning UK professionals to explore UAE relocation.
Read articleThe National
03
Former UK PM Cameron worried about Britons leaving for the UAE
Senior UK figures flag rising departures to the UAE for opportunity, stability, and tax certainty.
Read articleKnight Frank
04
Dubai Residential Market Review
Data on pricing, absorption, and prime segment trends across Dubai’s residential market.
View reportSavills
05
Spotlight on Wealth Trends
Global wealth and migration insights with relevance to HNW relocation patterns.
View reportKnight Frank
06
Destination Dubai
Destination analysis on Dubai’s draw for international investors and relocating families.
View reportClient success stories
“Moving to Dubai was exciting but daunting from an admin and logistics perspective, especially with my wife, two young children, and dog. HNDLD took the stress out of the entire relocation, calmly and professionally guiding us through the tricky visa application process then using their trusted local network to help us navigate what can be an intimidating property market. The property agent they introduced us to has been outstanding, never pushing or trying to upsell, and secured us the perfect rental. We’re already discussing a purchase with them for next year. I can’t recommend HNDLD highly enough; truly invaluable for a seamless move.”
George Hunt
Dubai
“Relocating from the UK to Dubai can be an overwhelming process, especially with children! But the team at HNDLD made it feel effortless. From navigating complex visa applications to setting up local bank accounts, every detail was handled with total professionalism. I saved so much time and hassle knowing they had all of the admin in hand whilst I could focus on settling in to our new home and my kids into school. I really couldn't recommend this service highly enough for anyone making the move.”
Mr & Mrs Bertram
Dubai
“Moving from London to Dubai in April 2025, our biggest priority was finding the right home for myself, my wife, and our dog. The property market here can feel like a minefield, but HNDLD’s real estate network was a total game-changer. They skipped the usual pushy sales tactics and introduced us to experts who actually listened to our requirements. They found us a pet-friendly community and a home that perfectly matched our London expectations, handling the negotiations and local nuances effortlessly. If you want to bypass the stress of the Dubai rental market and find the right place first time, HNDLD is the only way to go.”
Jake Ward
Dubai
Meet the Co-Founders
We founded HNDLD to help global professionals, entrepreneurs and families move to the UAE with confidence and peace of mind. Everything we do is shaped by our experience - thoughtful, well-connected and quietly effective - ensuring each move is handled with care, intention and good judgment.
We open the right doors, help you establish daily life, and support the foundations that matter most: stability, opportunity and a genuine sense of belonging.
Chirag Shah
Co-Founder
I’m Chirag Shah, an Investment Banking professional with more than 13 years of experience advising clients across Europe, the Middle East, and the African markets. At the start of 2024, my wife and I made the move from London to Dubai - a transition that was both exciting and eye-opening. Navigating a new country, new systems, and a new way of life gave me a deep appreciation for how valuable the right guidance can be - not only during the initial relocation, but also in ensuring long-term success when establishing a new life abroad. This is especially true for high-achieving professionals and their families who often don’t have the time to manage the many requirements of an international move.
Co-founding HNDLD has given me the opportunity to combine my international finance background with my personal relocation journey. Our bespoke concierge platform is designed to support global professionals who want a seamlessly handled start to their new life in the UAE - without the stress, time commitment, or uncertainty that typically comes with such a move.
Vishal Dhall
Co-Founder
I'm Vishal - a UK-qualified barrister and General Counsel with 20 years' experience advising founders, investors and high-growth businesses across regulated industries, technology and cross-border markets. My career spans the UK Government Legal Department through to senior advisory roles in data, sports and digital assets.
In 2024, my wife - a primary-school teacher, and I relocated from London to Dubai. Despite my legal background, it quickly became clear that thriving here depends on more than paperwork: it requires local understanding, trusted relationships and the right guidance at the right time. Since moving, we've built a life and community here and I've transferred a lifelong love of tennis into Dubai's fast-growing padel scene, which has become a core part of both my routine and social life.
HNDLD was born from that experience: combining professional judgment, lived insight and on-the-ground access to help others relocate with confidence - and build a life here, not just move.
