Track upcoming regulatory changes, license renewal deadlines, and key dates every Dubai business owner should know.
The UAE has discontinued the Economic Substance Regulations for financial years ending after December 31, 2022, following Cabinet Decision No. 98 of 2024.
Recent enforcement updates highlight significantly increased fines for labor law breaches, including employing workers without valid permits or misrepresenting employment status.
The Federal Tax Authority has initiated a campaign of 93,000 risk-based inspections to ensure businesses are complying with Corporate Tax and VAT requirements.
The DMCC Free Zone has updated its licensing framework, mandating new approval processes and documentation for any changes to an active license. The update includes a revised Schedule of Charges for administrative services.
The UAE Cabinet issued Decision No. 98 of 2024, which effectively discontinues the previous Economic Substance Regulations regime.
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) published extensive amendments to the VAT Executive Regulations to enhance clarity and align with recent Decree-Law changes. Key updates include revised procedures for tax recovery and industry-specific compliance requirements.
The Federal Tax Authority updated the VAT Executive Regulation, introducing over 30 amendments including new rules for input tax apportionment and the treatment of employee medical insurance.
The amendments allow for VAT recovery on employee health insurance and update timelines for issuing tax invoices, requiring businesses to adjust their accounting processes.
Updates to over 30 articles of the VAT regulations introduce exemptions for virtual asset management and tighten requirements for export documentation.
A new Dubai resolution allows free zone-licensed institutions to operate anywhere within the emirate after obtaining a permit from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, provided they maintain separate financial records for operations conducted outside the free zone.
This new resolution allows companies licensed by a Dubai free zone to operate outside their designated free zone and within the wider Dubai emirate, provided they obtain the required permits from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
A new resolution allows free zone-licensed companies to operate within mainland Dubai, provided they obtain the necessary permits from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and maintain separate financial records for those operations.
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) enacted significant amendments to its commercial regulations, focusing on enhanced transparency for Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBO) and stricter reporting for corporate service providers.
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) issued VAT Directive No. 2 of 2026, establishing precise procedures for entities exiting a VAT Group. The directive clarifies the joint and several liability periods and the digital notification requirements via the EmaraTax portal.
The Ministry of Finance extended the Small Business Relief framework, allowing eligible taxable persons to continue claiming relief for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029.
Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2026 amends the Tax Procedures Law, enforcing a strict five-year statute of limitations on VAT refund claims. It also removes the mandatory self-invoicing requirement for the Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) to simplify administrative burdens.
Residency visa medical test requirements have been updated to mandate processing exclusively through DHA-approved centers to standardize health screenings.
The Ministry of Finance issued Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026, extending the Small Business Relief framework for UAE corporate tax until December 31, 2029.
Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026 amends the Small Business Relief framework, allowing eligible taxable persons to continue claiming relief for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029.
Remote free zone business owners can now renew their residency permits digitally without the requirement to fly into the UAE for physical processing.
Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026 extends the Small Business Relief framework, allowing eligible taxable persons to claim relief for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029.
ICP reforms have extended the grace period for employer-sponsored visas to 90 days and Green Visas to 180 days after expiry or termination to simplify residency transitions.
Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026 amends the existing Small Business Relief framework, allowing eligible taxable persons to continue claiming relief for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029.
The Ministry of Finance amended the Small Business Relief framework, allowing eligible taxable persons to continue claiming relief for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029.
The Ministry of Finance issued Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026, extending the Small Business Relief (SBR) threshold until December 31, 2029. This provides long-term tax certainty for startups and SMEs, allowing them to remain outside the 9% tax bracket if they meet revenue criteria.
Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026 extends the eligibility period for the UAE Corporate Tax Small Business Relief to tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029.
The Golden Visa eligibility has been expanded to include free zone shareholders, facilitating long-term residency for business owners without mandatory property investment.
The UAE has officially extended the Small Business Relief program, allowing eligible SMEs to benefit from simplified tax compliance and relief measures through 2029.
New regulations have come into force giving authorities expanded powers to inspect, seize, and destroy counterfeit or fraudulent goods. Retail and e-commerce businesses are now subject to strict operational timelines for withdrawing products once notified of a suspected violation.
New amendments to the UAE labour law have increased the fines for hiring workers without a proper permit or failing to provide jobs to workers brought into the country, aiming to deter the employment of visit visa holders.
The Federal Tax Authority introduced new measures and conditions for taxable persons to verify the validity and integrity of supplies to ensure tax compliance.
The Federal Tax Authority introduced new measures and conditions for taxable persons to verify the validity and integrity of their supplies for VAT purposes.
New rules and requirements have been established for maintaining information contained in accounting records and commercial books to ensure transparency and audit readiness.
The Federal Tax Authority issued new measures and procedures for taxable persons to verify the validity and integrity of supplies to ensure VAT compliance.
This regulation sets out specific measures, procedures, and conditions for taxable persons to verify the validity and integrity of their supplies for VAT purposes.
The Federal Tax Authority issued new decisions (including FTA Decision No. 13 and No. 4 of 2026) mandating stricter procedures for verifying the validity of supplies and maintaining detailed accounting records to curb tax evasion.
New rules and requirements for maintaining information contained in accounting records and commercial books to ensure tax compliance.
Dubai mainland e-commerce licenses now face stricter enforcement of annual renewals and the requirement to file activity amendments before the renewal window.
The Federal Tax Authority issued new measures and conditions for taxable persons to verify the validity and integrity of supplies to ensure tax compliance.
This decision sets out updated rules and requirements for maintaining information contained in accounting records and commercial books for tax purposes.
This decision establishes new measures, procedures, and conditions for taxable persons to verify the validity and integrity of their supplies for VAT purposes.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) outlined six specific categories of insurance non-compliance, including failing to provide minimum coverage or passing premium costs to employees. Strict automated monitoring will now trigger penalties the moment a violation is detected in the system.
This law officially came into effect on August 26, mandating that all shared accommodation be licensed and registered in a new electronic Shared Housing Register. Small businesses providing staff housing must now ensure permits are obtained and adhere to strict space and safety standards to avoid heavy penalties.
The UAE has expanded eligibility for 14-day and 60-day entry visas to include nationals from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa.
Cabinet Decision No. 137 of 2026 sets a minimum excise price of AED 1 per milliliter for all electronic smoking liquids. Retailers must ensure that even lower-priced inventory is taxed at this minimum base rate (subject to the 100% excise tax) starting September 1.
Cabinet Decision No. 137 of 2026 introduces a minimum excise price of AED 1 per milliliter for vape liquids. The 100% excise tax rate remains, but the taxable base now has a floor, impacting inventory pricing for retailers and e-commerce platforms.
The UAE Ministry of Finance introduced amendments to VAT regulations concerning cash payment thresholds, input tax recovery for employee accommodation, and updated provisions for medical products to align with healthcare sector standards.
The Ministry of Finance updated VAT provisions covering cash payment thresholds, input tax recovery for employee accommodation, and updated classifications for medical products.
The UAE introduced amendments to the VAT Executive Regulation to simplify procedures and clarify rules regarding cash payment thresholds, input tax recovery for mandatory employee housing, and the supply of medical products.
The decision updates VAT rules concerning cash payment limits, input tax recovery for staff housing, and the supply of medical products to align with current healthcare legislative frameworks.
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