Middle East Travel Alerts

Canada Advises Against Travel to Major Saudi Airports Citing Military Attacks

Saudi Arabia has reopened Terminals 1 and 2 at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport following suspensions caused by Houthi attacks. Terminal 1 is servicing domestic routes while Terminal 2 handles international flights for Saudi national carriers. Most international airlines have maintained service suspensions, and passengers are advised to verify flight status before traveling to the airport.

Policy & Legal Updates

UAE Eases Electronic Invoicing Rules and Adjusts Tax Compliance Requirements

The UAE Ministry of Finance issued Ministerial Decision No. 197 of 2026, granting temporary exemptions for intra-tax group transactions and lifting in-country data storage requirements. Businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more must still appoint an accredited provider by 30 October 2026.

Policy & Legal Updates

UAE Updates E-Invoicing Rules as China-UAE Strategic Alignment Talks Advance

Chinese and UAE officials met in Beijing to align China's 15th Five-Year Plan with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and expand bilateral trade. Concurrently, the UAE Ministry of Finance confirmed updated e-invoicing timelines, requiring large businesses to appoint service providers by 30 October 2026 ahead of the January 2027 mandate. The decentralized Peppol-based system will apply to B2B and B2G transactions across the Emirates.

China–UAE News

Gulf Sovereign Inflows to China Surge 190% as UAE Revises VAT Rules

Global SWF data reveals sovereign wealth funds invested $14.2 billion into China and Hong Kong in early 2026, led by UAE entities. Separately, the UAE Cabinet issued Decision No. 149 of 2026 revising VAT input tax apportionment rules.