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.
Dubai authorities have resumed allowing legally married couples to combine property values to meet residency visa thresholds as of October 2026. Under the reinstated rules, a combined property value of AED 2 million qualifies a couple for a 10-year Golden Visa, while AED 1 million qualifies applicants aged 55 and older for a 5-year Retirement Visa. This reverses a July 2026 policy change that required each individual co-owner to meet investment minimums independently.
The Emirates Research and Development Council has officially launched TAWWER, an online portal for preapproval filings under the UAE Research and Development Tax Credit regime. The incentive applies to fiscal years beginning on or after 1 January 2026, offering nonrefundable credits up to 50% against corporate tax and Top-up Tax. Projects must meet a minimum qualifying expenditure threshold of AED 500,000.
The UAE Capital Market Authority reported a 43 percent increase in licensed financial companies during the first nine months of the year, alongside a 64 percent rise in accredited financial professionals. Trading across the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market reached AED 408 billion, with foreign investors accounting for 49 percent of activity. Enforcement actions also intensified, resulting in AED 12.9 million in penalties and approximately AED 1.2 billion in client refunds.
The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security has standardised all Golden Visa categories to 10-year renewable, self-sponsored residency. The updated regulations remove earlier five-year limits for real estate investors and entrepreneurs while defining qualification requirements for property buyers and senior employees. Visa holders also retain benefits including extended travel outside the country and domestic worker sponsorship.
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
United Arab Emirates
Amendment
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