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.
Bilateral trade between China and the UAE reached $108 billion in 2025, with Chinese direct investment standing at $2.6 billion. Over 6,650 Chinese companies are registered with Dubai Chambers as firms including Meituan, Baidu, J&T Express, and Huawei scale regional operations.
UAE Federal Government / Dubai Roads and Transport Authority
The Dubai Financial Services Authority has fined Hayman-Woodward Global Mobility Services (DIFC) Ltd $454,367 (Dh1.67 million) for operating without required registration. The regulator found the company delivered unauthorised corporate formation and registered address services to 71 clients over six years. The penalty was discounted by 30 percent from $522,047 after the firm agreed to a settlement.
The UAE is creating an artificial intelligence-enabled system to notify commercial exporters when goods face market barriers and suggest alternative destinations. Foreign Trade Undersecretary Fahad Al-Gergawi stated the system will help exporters manage rising global tariffs. UAE non-oil foreign trade expanded 27 percent in 2025 to reach 3.8 trillion dirhams.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security outlined mandatory nomination letter procedures for UAE Golden Visa applicants on October 15, 2026. Applicants in most categories, including investors and entrepreneurs, must obtain an endorsement before visa processing. The preliminary online application via the ICP platform incurs an AED 150 statutory fee.
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
United Arab Emirates
Effective October 15, 2026
Final rule
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