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.
The US Treasury determined that Executive Order 13902 applies to Iran's automotive and rail sectors, effective October 1 with no wind-down period. The measures target Iranian manufacturers alongside international suppliers based in the UAE, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Foreign financial institutions facilitating transactions in these sectors now face secondary sanctions exposure.
U.S. Department of the Treasury (Office of Foreign Assets Control)
The UAE Cabinet has issued Decision No. 149 of 2026 amending the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax, effective 1 October 2026. The revisions introduce an anti-fragmentation rule for supplies, restrict input VAT recovery on qualifying cash transactions, and clarify conditions for claiming input VAT on employee benefits. Further updates address financial services recovery criteria, medical products, profit margin schemes, capital assets, and tax credit notes.
A compliance advisory outlines statutory deadlines and penalties under the UAE's electronic invoicing regime. Companies with annual revenue of at least AED 50 million must appoint an Accredited Service Provider by October 30, 2026, ahead of the January 1, 2027 launch. Penalties for non-compliance include monthly fines of AED 5,000 and charges for unissued invoices.
An updated advisory has set out the eligibility criteria for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa for investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Qualifying commercial investors must maintain a minimum investment of Dh2 million alongside valid trade licensing and corporate tax registration. Authorities confirmed that holdings in digital and cryptocurrency assets alone do not qualify for the visa.
United Arab Emirates
Final rule
The UECN Brief
Policy updates, China–UAE business news and industry insights, delivered to your inbox.
Business relationships in both markets
Forums, delegations and events
Policy updates and market insights
Membership
Join a network with a shared purpose.
Tell us about your experience and connection to UAE–China business. UECN assesses your application and offers the right membership category — fees are shared privately with your offer.
We send you a one-time sign-in link — your answers are saved as you go.
