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 UAE Ministry of Finance and the Federal Tax Authority have reminded businesses generating Dh50 million or more in annual revenue to appoint an Accredited Service Provider by October 30, 2026. Non-compliant firms face monthly administrative penalties of Dh5,000. Full mandatory e-invoicing for this group will take effect on January 1, 2027, followed by smaller firms later that year.
Active Chinese corporate memberships in Dubai Chambers reached 6,650 by September 2026, marking an increase of over 200 percent over a decade. Concurrently, UAE sovereign investor Mubadala reaffirmed China as an anchor of its Asian direct investment strategy amidst strengthening bi-directional capital flows.
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has held its base rate on overnight deposit facilities at 3.9 percent. The decision follows the US Federal Reserve's move to keep its interest rate on reserve balances unchanged. The UAE regulator also maintained the borrowing rate for short-term liquidity at 50 basis points above the base rate.
The Abu Dhabi Residence Office confirmed that foreign nationals on entry visas can convert to a UAE residence permit without exiting the country. Most 60-day entry visas may be extended twice by 30 days for up to 120 days of total stay, providing time to complete residency procedures. Overstaying carries a daily fine of AED 100, which takes effect after a 10-day grace period.
Abu Dhabi Residence Office
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Final rule
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