UAE: Expired residency holders abroad allowed to return without entry permit

Qatar Peninsula, 12 March 2026: The UAE has introduced a temporary measure allowing expatriate residents whose residency visas expired while they were outside the country to return without obtaining a new entry permit.

According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the decision applies to residents who were unable to return due to current regional conditions, including airspace closures and suspended flights. The exemption is valid from 28 February to 31 March 2026.

Eligible residents may re‑enter the UAE during this period without applying for a fresh entry permit, easing travel disruptions caused by the ongoing regional security situation.

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UAE: Police crackdown on explosive‑sound modified vehicles

Khaleej Times, 13 March 2026: Police across the UAE have intensified enforcement against motorists using illegally modified vehicles that generate explosion‑like engine sounds, following late‑night disturbances reported in residential neighbourhoods.

Authorities stated that the alarming noises — often mistaken for blasts amid heightened regional tensions — were caused by teenagers and young drivers revving engines or using exhaust systems designed to create deliberate “backfire” effects. Police stressed there is no security threat, reaffirming that the UAE remains safe and closely monitored by security agencies.

Residents in Dubai and Sharjah reported sudden loud bursts at night, prompting police to increase patrols and deploy advanced monitoring systems. Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei of Dubai Police said enforcement campaigns target violations such as excessive vehicle noise and unauthorised modifications to “ensure the comfort and tranquillity of residents.”

Sharjah Police also launched targeted inspections and set up checkpoints to detect illegally modified vehicles. Brigadier Khalifa Al Khassouni emphasised that the measures are intended to reassure communities, particularly during a period of heightened public sensitivity to sudden loud sounds.

Motorists driving excessively noisy vehicles face a Dh2,000 fine, 12 black points and possible vehicle impoundment. Additional penalties, including confiscation and release fees up to Dh10,000, apply to vehicles modified without authorisation.

Police urged parents to monitor young drivers and encouraged residents to report reckless behaviour through official channels. Authorities reiterated that the enforcement drive aims to maintain calm, protect public peace and reinforce the UAE’s strong safety environment during ongoing regional developments.

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UAE: Ministry warns firms over price hikes amid crisis

Khaleej Times, 8 March 2026: The UAE has warned 449 firms for raising prices during the ongoing regional military crisis following extensive nationwide inspections.

Ministry of Economy and Tourism has conducted approximately 4,468 inspection tours across various markets since the onset of the regional conflict. These inspections have identified 449 establishments that increased prices without justification, prompting formal warnings as part of regulatory enforcement.

The ministry has emphasised that market stability and consumer protection remain key priorities during the crisis, especially as supply chains face pressure from heightened regional tensions. Authorities continue monitoring compliance to prevent exploitation and will escalate measures against any entities that violate approved pricing rules.

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UAE: Authorities warn against sharing crisis‑related rumours

Gulf News, 8 March 2026: The UAE has issued a strong warning against circulating rumours or unverified crisis‑related content online, stressing that offenders face heavy fines and potential imprisonment.

Authorities have detected a noticeable rise in false news, manipulated videos, and misleading images circulating on social media amid ongoing regional tensions. Many of the materials have repurposed old footage from unrelated incidents abroad, presenting them as current events inside the UAE.

Attorney General Hamid Saif Al Shamsi has warned residents against photographing or sharing images and videos of accident sites or damage caused by falling debris, noting that such content could provoke public panic or distort the perception of safety conditions in the country. He has affirmed that public‑safety institutions continue to operate effectively and that daily life remains stable nationwide.

Legal experts cited that spreading rumours or unverified information constitutes a criminal offence under Federal Decree-Law No. 34/2021 concerning the Fight Against Rumors and Cybercrime. Article 52 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34/2021 provides for penalties including up to two years in prison and fines reaching Dh200,000 for publishing or reposting false or misleading information that contradicts official announcements or harms public security.

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UAE: Banks tighten security with biometrics and AI checks

Gulf News, 28 February 2026: UAE banks are strengthening digital‑security controls by phasing out SMS and email one‑time passwords and adopting biometric logins and AI‑based fraud detection.

Banks across the UAE have begun removing SMS and email‑based OTPs after new directives from the Central Bank required all licensed financial institutions to discontinue these methods by the end of next month. Under the updated authentication framework, customers now approve transactions directly within banking apps using biometrics, facial recognition or secure in‑app PIN verification.

Regulators stated that the shift forms part of a broader 2026 initiative aimed at strengthening fraud prevention, tightening AI governance and enhancing operational resilience. Fraud‑control specialists noted that the rules require new capabilities, including detecting active calls and screen‑sharing attempts, and encourage the use of behavioural intelligence to interrupt real‑time scams.

Industry experts explained that impersonation scams, phishing attempts and SIM‑swap attacks have increased, reinforcing the need to retire legacy authentication mechanisms. Banks confirmed that the new systems will support routine digital activities such as card payments, online shopping and transfers while reducing exposure to fraud.

The new security framework will continue rolling out across the sector, with smaller institutions now accelerating compliance to meet the Central Bank’s deadline.

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UAE: Authorities Activate New Rule to Break Monopoly on Medical Products

Gulf Today, 24 February 2026: The UAE has activated a first‑of‑its‑kind mechanism requiring pharmaceutical companies to appoint multiple agents for each medical product to break long‑standing monopolies and strengthen national pharmaceutical security.

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) said it has activated the new mechanism under Federal Decree‑Law No. 38/2024 on Medical Products, the Pharmacy Profession, and Pharmaceutical Establishments, marking the first time the UAE has obliged pharmaceutical firms to register more than one authorised agent per medical product. The move is part of a national strategy to enhance pharmaceutical security, diversify supply chains, and ensure the continuous availability of medicines and medical products across the country.

Officials explained that the reform aims to end exclusive‑agent control, reduce the risk of supply disruptions during emergencies or operational challenges, and improve the efficiency and resilience of medical‑product distribution. The EDE added that expanding the number of authorised agents will accelerate delivery times, improve inventory management, and boost the UAE’s attractiveness as an investment destination in the pharmaceutical sector.

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UAE: VARA Designated as Competent Authority Under Corporate Tax Rules

The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued a ministerial decision designating Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority as a competent authority for specific qualifying activities under the federal corporate tax framework.

The Ministry of Finance announced Ministerial Decision No. 336/2025, which added the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority—established in Dubai under Dubai Law No. 4/2022 Regulating Virtual Assets in the Emirate of Dubai—to the definition of “competent authority” in Ministerial Decision No. 229/2025 on Qualifying and Excluded Activities for the Purposes of Federal Decree-Law No. 47/2022 on the Business and Corporate Taxation.

Under the update, VARA is recognised as a competent authority for qualifying activities linked to fund management, wealth management and investment‑management services, bringing virtual‑asset supervision into alignment with the broader corporate‑tax framework. The Ministry stated that the decision formed part of efforts to enhance clarity, certainty and regulatory alignment across the UAE’s financial system, supporting its strategic position as a global investment and financial hub.

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