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.
An investigation by Iran International based on leaked documents reveals that US-sanctioned Bank Parsian used its foreign-exchange arm, Parsian Exchange, to move funds abroad via intermediaries between November 2022 and May 2023. Leaked instruction letters directed roughly $36 million in UAE dirhams, Chinese yuan, and US dollars to overseas bank accounts designated by Iranian importers. The transactions utilized Iranian export proceeds held overseas to obscure ties to sanctioned Iranian institutions.
Abu Dhabi reduced the operational costs of delivering government services by over 30% between 2022 and 2025 while raising satisfaction from 78% to 92%, according to the Department of Government Enablement. Officials credited the Tamm platform and autonomous AI agents for driving the administrative efficiency gains. The emirate reiterated its commitment to becoming a fully AI-native government by 2027.
The UAE Federal Tax Authority has issued an updated compliance guide for its Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax regime under the OECD/G20 Pillar Two framework. Large multinational enterprise groups are required to maintain an effective tax rate of at least 15 percent. Groups with financial years ending before April 30, 2026, must register via the EmaraTax portal by November 30, 2026.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi have reiterated the eligibility criteria for skilled foreign workers seeking a five-year residency Green Visa. Applicants must hold a valid UAE employment contract, meet specific skill levels, and possess at least a bachelor's degree. The visa enables self-sponsorship without a local employer sponsor.
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
United Arab Emirates
Final rule
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