A UAE free zone company pays 0% corporate tax on its qualifying income only if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP). It must keep adequate substance in a free zone, earn qualifying income, keep non-qualifying revenue within 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million (whichever is lower), prepare audited financial statements, follow…
Insights
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Sponsoring Family on a UAE Residence Visa in 2026: Salary Rules, Fees and Steps
A UAE resident can sponsor a spouse, sons under 25, unmarried daughters of any age and children with special needs on a monthly income of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 with employer-provided housing, under ICP rules at 8 October 2026. Family permits are linked to the sponsor’s permit and cannot outlast it. Dubai…
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UAE Labour Law for Employers in 2026: Contracts, Probation, Leave and Notice
UAE private-sector employers must use renewable fixed-term contracts under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, as amended in 2024, with probation of up to 6 months, normal hours of 8 a day or 48 a week, 30 days’ annual leave after one year and notice of 30–90 days. Overtime earns at least 25% over basic…
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UAE Audit Requirements for Companies in 2026: Corporate Tax, Free Zones and Mainland
A UAE company needs audited financial statements for corporate tax if its revenue exceeds AED 50 million, if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person or if it is a tax group, and every mainland LLC and joint stock company must appoint an auditor each year under company law. The tax rule is Ministerial Decision…
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How to Set Up a Mainland Company in Dubai in 2026: Steps, Approvals and Timeline
A Dubai mainland company gets its trade licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The founder chooses the activity and legal form, obtains initial approval, reserves a trade name for six months, signs and attests the memorandum of association, registers an office lease on Ejari and collects the licence. Most commercial and industrial…
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VIVOS Group Expands Global Presence with Launch of Dubai Corporate Services Office
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 1 October 2026: VIVOS, a global corporate services firm, announces the opening of its new office in Dubai, marking an important milestone in the company’s international growth and establishing its presence in the United Arab Emirates.
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UAE Transfer Pricing Rules 2026: Related Parties, Disclosure Forms and Master File Thresholds
Under Articles 34 to 36 of Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, UAE transactions with related parties must be at arm’s length, and payments to connected persons are deductible only at market value. A disclosure form goes with the corporate tax return if related-party transactions exceed AED 40 million or payments to any one connected…
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UAE Golden Visa for Investors and Entrepreneurs: Routes and Requirements in 2026
The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year, self-sponsored residence permit, renewable while you still qualify. Investors need AED 2 million in a UAE bank or fund deposit, company capital or partnership share, or AED 2 million of property, which may be bank-financed or bought off-plan from an approved developer. Entrepreneurs qualify through an SME earning…
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UAE Emiratisation Targets in 2026: What Private-Sector Employers Must Meet
UAE private companies with 50 or more employees must grow the number of Emiratis in skilled jobs by 2% in 2026: 1% by 30 June and another 1% by 31 December, completing the cumulative 10% increase set for the end of 2026. Shortfalls cost AED 10,000 a month (AED 120,000 a year) per unfilled position.…
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UAE e-Invoicing: The 2026–2027 Rollout Timeline and What Businesses Must Prepare
UAE e-invoicing began with a pilot on 1 July 2026 and becomes mandatory in three phases. Businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more must appoint an Accredited Service Provider by 30 October 2026 (extended from 31 July) and go live on 1 January 2027. Businesses below AED 50 million must appoint one by…
