According to local newspaper reports, Saudi Arabian authorities have established a joint committee with the UK to introduce a visa-free document to allow Neom investors and employees to move freely between several Red Sea countries including Egypt and Jordan. Holders of this document will also be exempt from specific Saudi legislation. In addition, those who have this document will have visas and residency rights.
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has announced it has issued the first golden residence permit in Abu Dhabi. The issuing of the visa follows the issuing of Cabinet Decision No. 56/2018 on permanent residence for investors. The Authority said it had started a communication programme with investors in the country who are eligible for this residence permit to make them aware of the new law and explain the benefits.
The Undersecretary of Kuwait’s Health Ministry has asked all assistants, departments, health zone and hospital directors to list the employees authorised to work overtime, the work they do and how much they get paid. The aim is to ensure proper systems are in place for overtime and prevent profiteering. Overtime must also be approved by the Undersecretary and social media guidelines are also being drafted. Anyone who violates the guidelines will be punished.
Oman’s Manpower Ministry has announced a professional visa ban for sales and marketing professionals has been introduced. The ban is contained in Oman Decision No. 268/2019 and means the visa ban will continue for another six months from 31 May. It will not apply to visa renewals but will apply to new visa applications.
Foreign nationals seeking employment in Qatar in select professions, including Project Coordinators and General Supervisors, must now have a degree certificate to support their immigration process, even though it was previously not required. In addition to a degree certificate which must be legalised, the affected individuals must support their application with a transcript and university verification letters attested by Qatari consular post in the country of issue of a document.
Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a new Tobacco License Regulation which will mean cafes and restaurants in the Kingdom will have to pay up to 100,000 Riyals annually to sell tobacco products in their premises and outside them. It is the latest move to tackle smoking in the Kingdom. The Kingdom has signed up to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which aims to reduce smoking rates from 12.7 to 5% by 2030.
The Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security of Bahrain’s Council of Representatives has announced a draft law to increase the penalties for social media misuse is under consideration. It is part of Government attempts to clampdown on this misuse. Among other things, social media misuse covers defaming someone, insulting someone or spreading rumours.
Abu Dhabi’s Airports Free Zone has announced it has launched an online One Stop Shop to make it easier for prospective businesses to set up in the Zone. Once businesses are registered, they will be able to use the online shop to view their company’s license, lease and employee and financial details. In addition, they will be able to use a company dashboard which will provide access to employment visa-related requests, letter and certificate requests, employment cards and access passes, registration services and licensing services.
Oman’s Capital Market Authority has announced it has issued new Takeover and Acquisition Regulations. Oman Decision No. 2/2019 will apply to public joint stock companies listed on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM). It has been published in the Official Gazette.
The rapporteur of the Interior and Defence Committee of Kuwait’s Parliament has announced a draft law, which if approved, will grant citizenship to up to 4,000 people. It has been submitted to Parliament to consider and it is hoped it will be approved before the end of Parliament’s current term. If approved, those looking to benefit from it will have to submit all of the necessary documents and records before they can benefit from the Law.
