In the modern world, entrepreneurs often choose to immigrate their businesses to countries with more favorable conditions for optimizing taxation, diversifying investments, reducing administrative and operational costs, and solving other problems. Depending on your goals, you can either develop the same business as in your home country or choose a new line of activity more in demand in the new jurisdiction. In the latter case, fresh ideas that will bring profit will be needed to build a successful business abroad. We have analyzed the services and goods in demand in different countries and want to discuss business directions that can be profitable overseas.
Top Ideas for Small Businesses and Startups Abroad
The best ideas for startups and small businesses are those that carve out a niche with relatively low competition. With the right strategy, you can earn income swiftly without needing substantial capital investment.
№1. Cleaning Services
Unlike large cleaning companies, small businesses can offer:
- Cleaning private homes – this service will be particularly in demand among prominent businessmen, politicians, cultural elites, and other busy individuals.
- Car detailing – many car owners lack the time or expertise for this task, which provides excellent opportunities to quickly find clients and make the business successful, especially in countries with a high standard of living, such as the UAE.
- Carpet cleaning – this laborious and challenging task is often entrusted to a cleaning company by people.
№2. Childcare Services
You can provide nanny services abroad or open a daycare center. To engage in this activity, you must obtain the necessary licenses and invest in creating comfortable and safe conditions for children. The expenses for implementing this business idea abroad will quickly pay off and bring a stable income.
№3. Food and Grocery Delivery
Entrepreneurial activities that provide people with food products and freshly prepared meals will be profitable in any country. You can deliver:
- Groceries from the store.
- Homemade food prepared at home and/or to office premises.
Delivery services can kickstart a business in the food industry with minimal financial investment. You can open a pizzeria, cafe, or restaurant with successful operations in this field.
№4. Home Medical Service
Providing medical services at the patient’s home is a profitable business abroad. The list of services may include:
- Collecting samples and conducting laboratory tests.
- Performing simple medical procedures.
- Consultation with pediatricians, therapists, neurologists, or psychologists.
To engage in this activity, it will be necessary to invest a certain amount in purchasing laboratory equipment and consumables and obtain permission from the relevant ministry confirming the qualifications of the founder and medical staff.
№5. Automotive Service and Rental Services
The main implementation options for this business idea include:
- Operation of a stationary auto repair shop.
- Tire replacement services.
- Car tuning.
- On-site vehicle maintenance and repair.
- Car, electric scooter, and bicycle rentals are especially in demand in countries with many tourists, such as Cyprus, the UAE, and others.
Among the promising business ideas abroad that can generate good income are also:
- Pet care services – dog walking, providing services of a visiting governess or veterinarian, selling pet care accessories with delivery.
- Services in the beauty industry – operation of beauty salons, hairdressing salons, and SPA centers.
- Services for the population – self-service laundries, tailoring and clothing repair workshops, jewelry workshops.
Naturally, when choosing a jurisdiction for business immigration, the purchasing demand of the target audience and the mentality and traditions of the local population must be considered. Specialists from Dynasty Business Adviser can help you choose a suitable type of activity for conducting small business in Middle Eastern countries and establishing a company in the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar.
Top Most Reliable Business Ideas Abroad
We’ve discussed promising ideas that can be used for startups or small businesses. However, like any entrepreneurial endeavor, certain risks are associated with their implementation. To minimize them, you can choose proven and reliable business ideas that will be suitable. We decided to highlight them in a separate group, and the top 5 ideas look as follows:
- E-commerce. For conducting online trade there is no need for significant financial investment in renting warehouse premises, creating inventory, or hiring staff (salespeople, couriers, drivers). The main thing is to choose the right niche with a demanded product. To start, you can use the services of such internet platforms as Shopify, WooCommerce, Oberlo, and even Amazon FBA.
- Tutoring. This is a good idea for business abroad that does not require particular capital investments. It is enough to register as an individual entrepreneur and advertise online. If you have the qualifications, knowledge, and experience in the required subject, your services will be in demand in any country. Lessons can be conducted in person or online; you will need a computer with a webcam or a laptop and high-speed internet.
- Opening a Coffee Shop. To implement this idea, you must spend money on renting premises and purchasing furniture and equipment. Even if similar establishments are nearby, you will find regular customers by creating coziness, offering delicious coffee, and providing a specific “highlight” that competitors lack.
- Web Design Studio Services. To open such a business, you need to be able to use standard programs (WordPress or Wix), have a powerful computer, and have constant internet access. Organizing a studio quickly pays off, considering that such services are well-paid.
- Programming Courses for Children and Teenagers. The programming profession is one of the most in-demand and highly paid in the labor market. Parents who want their children to have a successful career strive to enroll them in programming classes, which means that your services will be in demand. To start such a business, you will need funds to rent premises and purchase computers. Moreover, understanding programming yourself is optional; hiring knowledgeable specialists is enough.
Top Business Startup Ideas for Women Abroad
Analyzing the issues of starting a business abroad, we have compiled ideas more suitable for women to start entrepreneurial activities. The choice is quite broad, but we will focus only on five ideas that can be implemented with minimal expenses.
Handmade Crafts Production
As a start to your business, you can start sewing shopper bags, which are in demand worldwide, and making beads, patchwork, and other home decorations. You can also create original souvenirs that Europeans value more than mass-produced items. Such a business will be profitable in Europe and other countries where European tourists like to visit, such as the UAE.
Elderly or Childcare Services
It is better to have medical or pedagogical education to provide care services (when working with children). The costs of running such a business are minimal, while the service payment is high. At the beginning of your career, you can work independently and hire workers with the appropriate education over time.
Educational Services
Language courses, tutoring, and teaching various disciplines are popular businesses abroad for women. At the beginning of your career, you can work without hiring employees and even online, for which you will only need a laptop and internet access. In the future, if things go well, you can consider expanding your business.
Conducting Tours
Famous tourist locations exist in any country, and organizing tours is profitable without significant investments. If you find exciting programs and routes, your business’s success is guaranteed. These can be gastronomic tours, tours of urban legends, roof walks, and other unconventional ideas.
Creating Designer Perfumes
Developing and producing new original perfumes attracts women who strive to emphasize their individuality in everything. This business can be started with minimal capital, working from home and supplying products for sale under contract to perfumery retail outlets. Implementing this idea will be easier in the Middle East, for example, in the UAE, where you can find various aromatic oils at affordable prices. The company Dynasty Business Adviser will help you organize a business in the Middle East.
Ideas for the Most Profitable Business Abroad
When evaluating various activities for organizing a business abroad, mentioning business ideas that bring the highest profit is essential. Implementing them will require significant capital investment; the more considerable the investment amount, the higher the profit you will receive. The most profitable types of activities today include:
- Software development, cybersecurity solutions, and other IT services, especially using artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies.
- Agricultural production — dairy farming and poultry farming are the most profitable directions in this business.
- Construction and repair of buildings and structures — for small businesses, you can build private cottages or repair residential, commercial, and office premises. Logistics activities include organizing the delivery of goods by various types of transport to the end consumer, their storage, and cargo processing.
- Logistics activities, include organizing the delivery of goods by various types of transport to the end consumer, their storage, and cargo processing.
- Real estate activities – include development, real estate agencies, and management companies.
- The production of goods needed in a specific country, such as the UAE, consumer goods, and construction materials, are in demand.
If you want to build a profitable business abroad, before investing money, order business consulting services from a specialized firm, such as Dynasty Business Adviser!
Starting the Implementation of Business Ideas Abroad
Before embarking on incorporating a business abroad, it is necessary to:
- Define the type of activity. Our article provides business ideas that can assist you in this. We recommend choosing a business type you are familiar with or with which you have experience and relevant knowledge.
- Select a suitable jurisdiction, where your services or goods will be in demand, favorable conditions for doing business exist, and governmental support for foreign investments exists. It is advisable to consult with an international lawyer who is well-versed in the laws of the chosen country regarding legislative matters.
- Conduct market analysis, select the most suitable business model, and develop a marketing strategy — it is better to engage business consulting specialists.
What is the best country to choose for starting a business?
When choosing the best jurisdiction for implementing business ideas, first of all, you should pay attention to the level of economic development, social guarantees, availability of government programs for investors, types of duties, tax rates, ease/difficulty of opening a new company, terms and cost of business registration. This data is updated annually and is publicly available. For example, in 2024 the top rankings of countries with favorable microclimate for doing business include the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, New Zealand, Austria, Turkey, Spain, Malta, Portugal, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Singapore, Norway and Sweden.
Company registration in the UAE is characterized by the following advantages:
- Absence of most taxes, compared to countries in Europe and America – firms with annual turnover up to 375,000 AED are exempted from paying income tax and VAT.
- Availability of free economic zones with favorable conditions for foreign investors.
- Obtaining a residence permit.
- The state does not control currency transactions.
- Reliability of the banking system, including in terms of confidentiality of personal data.
- Geographically favorable location of the country.
- Modern infrastructure.
The most profitable ideas for business in Dubai can be found in the corresponding article.
Our article is for informational purposes only and cannot be considered legal advice. If you want professional advice from a lawyer and business analyst on choosing the best business idea for business abroad — in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, or Bahrain — please contact the managers of Dynasty Business Adviser!
