Understand the policies, laws and regulations shaping business across China and the UAE.
Business registration · Investment · Taxation · Customs · Trade · Financial regulation · Employment · Visas · Free-zone policies. Every update identifies the issuing authority, jurisdiction, publication date, effective date and official source.
Under UAE tax law, residential property leases are exempt from value-added tax, preventing employers from recovering input VAT on staff housing rent. The Federal Tax Authority may treat goods or services provided free to staff for non-business purposes as deemed supplies subject to the standard 5% tax. Mandatory VAT registration applies to businesses with annual taxable supplies exceeding AED 375,000.
Liv, the digital banking arm of Emirates NBD, integrated the regulated dollar-pegged stablecoin USDU into its consumer banking app on November 9, 2026. The token is registered under the Central Bank of the UAE's Payment Token Services Regulation through a partnership with Universal Digital International Ltd and Aquanow ME FZE. USDU reserves are held in UAE banks with monthly public attestations.
The UAE Ministry of Interior has deferred the implementation of a rule capping resident vehicle registrations at five cars per person. Originally scheduled for January 1, 2027 under Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, the policy was delayed to allow for a regulatory review considering vehicle owners, families, investors, and luxury car usage. Other traffic updates, including a daily driving limit and e-scooter permit rules, remain scheduled to take effect as planned.
UAE authorities have unveiled regulatory and administrative updates under the Year of Family 2026 framework. The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council lifted caps on children's allowances and widened private sector salary support under the Nafis scheme. Additional measures include a digital family data initiative and Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Resolution No. 43 of 2026.
Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council
United Arab Emirates
Final rule
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