UAE Archives - LexisNexis Middle East

Lexis Middle East HR Alert – March 2026

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

In this edition of Lexis Middle East HR Alert – March 2026, we highlight key legal developments, regulatory updates, and practical HR considerations shaping employment practices across the region. From evolving approaches to employment claims in the UAE to new health and safety frameworks in Saudi Arabia, this issue provides focused insights to help organisations remain compliant and prepared.

As workforce dynamics continue to shift and governments introduce new initiatives to support economic growth and workforce development, employers must balance opportunity with risk. Our contributors explore how to safeguard training investments, manage immigration changes, and respond to increasing litigation trends, offering clear and actionable guidance.

Stay up to date with Lexis Middle East HR Alert — your reliable source for HR and employment law developments across the Middle East.

Happy reading!

FEATURE: THE RIGHT TIME

Asim Ahmed and Ahmed Labib of BSA LAW analyse how recent legal changes and court rulings have impacted limitation periods for employment claims in the UAE.

TREND SETTER: TRAINING SUPPORT

Hashem Alahdal of BSA LAW outlines how employers can protect their investment in employee training amid growing government support initiatives.

NEWS ROUND-UP: COVERING RECENT KEY DEVELOPMENTS – REGION-WIDE

A concise overview of key HR and legal developments from across the region, including updates on Kuwait’s freelance work visa and other regulatory changes impacting employers.

IMMIGRATION FOCUS: RECENT GCC IMMIGRATION AND VISA CHANGES

Sponsored by Vialto Partners, this section reviews key regional updates, including Qatar’s self-sponsored visa developments.

IMMIGRATION FOCUS: PRE-PLANNING FOR HAJJ SEASON

Adel Moumen of Vialto Partners Middle East looks at two concurrent developments which are impacting short term business travel to Saudi.

LAW CHANGES: NEW AND PROPOSED MENA LAWS

Dr. Sairah Narmah-Alqasim of Pinsent Masons reviews Saudi Arabia’s new national health and safety framework under Ministerial Decision No. 64762/1447.

MOVES AND CHANGES

A regional overview of the latest executive movements, leadership appointments, and HR leadership changes across key industries.

Enrich your understanding of the HR landscape and stay up-to-date with the latest trends, cases, and policies through the latest issue of Lexis Middle East – HR Alert.

For all the latest industry updates and developments, opt for a free HR Alert subscription!

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LMHRA_2026_02_Mar_ePDF

Have you read the Lexis® Middle East HR Alert – previous editions? Click the links below to access and read these editions.

Lexis Middle East HR Alert_May 2025

Lexis Middle East HR Alert_July 2025

Lexis Middle East HR Alert_January 2025

HR PROFILE: A CHANGE IN APPROACH

Natalie Jones of Mishcon de Reya shares insights on employers’ growing willingness to pursue litigation and its impact on HR strategy.

POLICY POINTERS: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Bassem Ehab of Habib Al Mulla and Partners provides practical guidance on managing conflicts of interest in the workplace.

News developments

UAE: CMA Issues Comprehensive Virtual-Assets Regulatory Framework

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

The National, 13 April 2026: The UAE’s Capital Market Authority has issued a robust Virtual Assets Framework, establishing a specialised regulatory regime governing the virtual-asset sector.

The framework consists of five core modules:

General Requirements – overarching obligations for virtual-asset providers.
Conduct of Business – licensing, governance, compliance and risk-management rules.
Alternative Trading System (ATS) – dedicated governance for trading platforms, covering virtual and tokenised securities.
Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) – targeted safeguards.
Prudential Requirements – capital adequacy, client protection and operational resilience.

The framework expands regulated activities from three to eight, including:

Dealing in virtual assets as principal
Dealing in virtual assets as agent
Providing custody
Arranging custody
Arranging investment deals
Providing investment advice
Portfolio management
Operating a multilateral trading facility

A dedicated ATS module now regulates trading venues for virtual assets and tokenised securities, reflecting market convergence and evolving business models.

The CMA emphasised that the framework enhances investor protection, market integrity, and innovation, aligning with IOSCO and FATF standards, and upholding the principle: “same activity, same risk, same regulatory outcome”

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News developments

Dubai: Real Estate and Residency Services Unified Under Single System

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 11 April 2026: Dubai has moved to integrate real estate and residency services under a single government system following a memorandum of understanding between GDRFA Dubai and the Dubai Land Department.

The agreement brings Golden Residency, Retiree Residency and Property Residency services onto one platform, allowing applicants to complete procedures through a single channel instead of dealing with multiple authorities. Previously, property‑linked residency applications required coordination across separate real estate and immigration systems.

Authorities stated that the integration will simplify procedures, improve processing efficiency, and enhance the experience for residents, investors and property owners, while strengthening regulatory coordination between land registration and residency authorities.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Launches Unified Hazardous‑Materials Guidelines Under GHS Revision 11

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 9 April 2026: Abu Dhabi has introduced a binding set of 11 guidelines for handling hazardous materials, marking the first global adoption of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) Revision 11 in a regulatory framework.

The Abu Dhabi Hazardous Materials Management Centre, in coordination with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, had recognised fragmentation and unclear standards in import, storage, transport, and disposal practices. Prior to this initiative, stakeholders followed multiple, sometimes conflicting, procedural norms.

Under the new rules, firms operating in the emirate must comply with mandatory requirements covering labelling, safety-data-sheet provision, lifecycle responsibilities, and staff roles throughout the supply chain. Entities are legally required to adhere to these standards, designed to reduce accident risk, protect the environment, and ensure consistent compliance. The guidelines are already enforceable, with monitoring and oversight integrated into Abu Dhabi’s regulatory governance.

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Publications

Lexis Middle East Law Alert: March-April 2026 Edition

10/04/202610/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

The March/April 2026 edition of Lexis Middle East Law Alert provides a comprehensive snapshot of key legal, regulatory, and commercial developments across the GCC. It combines expert-led feature articles with practical updates on evolving laws, offering in-house counsel, legal practitioners, and business leaders insight into how recent legislative changes impact contracts, compliance, digital regulation, real estate, and taxation. The publication particularly highlights the UAE’s new Civil Code, Qatar’s evolving e-commerce framework, and emerging technology regulations shaping the region.

Happy Reading!

FEATURE: A NEW CODE: CONTRACT CONCERNS

An in-depth analysis of the newly issued UAE Civil Code, focusing on how it reshapes contractual priorities. The authors explore risk allocation, enforceability, and key considerations businesses should reassess when drafting and negotiating contracts.

FEATURE: ONLINE ONLY APPROACH

A detailed look at Qatar Ministerial Decision No. 25/2026, outlining licensing requirements for businesses operating exclusively online. This section clarifies compliance obligations for digital-first companies without physical premises.

IN-HOUSE PROFILE: ALL THE RIGHT MOVES

A profile of Daniela Bartolo, General Counsel at Careem, exploring how rapid organisational growth has driven a reassessment of compliance approaches. The piece highlights how in-house legal teams are adapting frameworks, processes, and risk management strategies to keep pace with expansion.

IN-HOUSE PROFILE: PRACTITIONER PERSPECTIVE

A practitioner-led overview of recent legal developments relating to self-driving vehicles in Dubai, offering practical insights into the evolving regulatory landscape and the implications for implementation and compliance.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

A regional roundup of notable legal industry appointments and career moves, offering insight into talent trends and leadership shifts across the Middle East legal market.

CONTRACT WATCH: ARBITRATION CLAUSES

A practical guide by Antonia Birt, Partner at Reed Smith International, highlighting key lessons in drafting and enforcing arbitration clauses, with a focus on avoiding common pitfalls and strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms.

TAX AND FINANCE ROUND-UP

An overview of key fiscal and financial developments, including evolving treatment of R&D tax credits in the UAE. This section highlights regulatory shifts impacting corporate tax planning and financial strategy.

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_March-April 2026

Explore the past editions of the Lexis® Middle East Law Alert and stay up-to-date with the latest news! Click the links below for instant access to older editions.

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_January-February 2026

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_July-August 2025

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_May-June 2025

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_March-April 2025

TECHNOLOGY MONITOR

Explores major developments in technology law across the GCC. Topics include proposed regulation of crypto-mining in ADGM and broader legal responses to emerging digital industries.

Digital Child Safety: A focused analysis of new UAE legislation introducing a dedicated digital child safety framework—among the first in the region—addressing online protection measures and platform responsibilities.

LEGAL ROUND-UP

A summary of major legal developments across the region, including updates such as new shared housing rules in Dubai. Designed to give readers a quick but meaningful understanding of recent legislative changes.

LAW MONITOR

A jurisdiction-wide tracker of significant legal updates in the GCC. It includes a featured analysis of Qatar’s Preliminary Real Estate Registry and its implications for off-plan property sales and investor protection.

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News developments

UAE: Ministry Of Finance Announces Amendments to Tax Procedures Regulations

10/04/202610/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

The UAE Ministry of Finance announces amendments to the executive regulation on tax procedures to clarify disclosure, refund and audit rules.

The Ministry of Finance announces amendments to Cabinet Decision No. 74/2023 on the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree‑Law No. 28/2022 on Tax Procedures, following legislative updates that entered into force on 1 January 2026. The amendments clarify the procedures governing the submission of voluntary disclosures and align them with the updated provisions of Federal Decree‑Law No. 28/2022 on Tax Procedures.

The revised regulation provides that refund procedures apply to any credit balance in favour of the taxpayer and updates the mechanisms for disclosure to competent government authorities, while reaffirming data‑confidentiality protections and defining the scope and limits of information use. The amendments also extend the record‑retention period by two additional years for tax periods linked to refund claims submitted before the statute of limitations expires, where no determination has yet been issued.

In addition, the regulation introduces the possibility of extending the period for the preservation or seizure of documents or assets for the purposes of tax audit and examination. The ministry states that these measures enhance transparency, facilitate taxpayer compliance and safeguard taxpayers’ rights. The amendments enter into force on 1 April 2026.

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News developments

Sharjah: Decision Issued Regulating Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

10/04/202610/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 1 April 2026: Sharjah’s Executive Council has issued a decision establishing a regulatory framework for the installation and operation of electric vehicle charging stations across the emirate.

The Sharjah Executive Council approves a decision regulating electric vehicle charging stations as part of efforts to organise the sector and support sustainable transport infrastructure. The move aims to govern the installation and operation of chargers in both public and private locations, while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

According to the decision, the framework sets rules on applications for connection, tariffs related to electric vehicle supply equipment and charging services, and operational requirements for service providers. It also defines the scope of application, outlines regulatory oversight mechanisms, and introduces administrative penalties for violations, alongside provisions governing enforcement and publication.

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News developments

Dubai: RTA Launches Technical and Future Competency Framework

10/04/202610/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority launched a Technical and Future Competency Framework to align workforce capabilities with emerging technologies and long‑term government priorities.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the launch of the Technical and Future Competency Framework on 2 April 2026, marking a strategic step towards preparing its human capital for future technological and organisational demands. The framework establishes a clear vision for workforce capabilities by aligning current and future skills with rapid technological change and global shifts, reinforcing RTA’s commitment to modern human‑resources development and corporate excellence.

The framework identifies and structures both core and specialised technical competencies, alongside future‑focused competencies linked to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation. It also defines professional proficiency levels for each role, outlines technical career pathways, and enables the design of advanced training programmes and modern performance and competency‑management systems. RTA stated that these measures enhance organisational readiness and support the development of talent capable of leading the future of mobility and government services in Dubai.

According to RTA, the initiative strengthens its ability to anticipate future job requirements and proactively design solutions that ensure long‑term workforce preparedness. By embedding future competencies into career planning and skills development, the authority aims to improve operational performance while contributing to Dubai’s global competitiveness in transport, infrastructure, and advanced technology sectors.

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News developments

Dubai: Customs open Oman route to keep cargo moving

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

5 April 2026: Authorities in Dubai have introduced new customs rules allowing cargo to be rerouted through Oman, formalising a temporary land‑based corridor to maintain trade flows amid ongoing logistics disruptions.

Dubai Customs has issued a new directive setting out a detailed framework for routing cargo through Oman using a temporary land corridor via the Hatta border crossing. The measures were introduced under Customs Notice No. 06/2026 and are aimed at ensuring continuity of supply chains during disruptions affecting sea and air routes across the region.

Under the framework, cargo arriving in Dubai from international markets, as well as goods originating in Dubai for export, may be transported by road to Omani ports or airports before continuing to global destinations. The system applies to both sea and air cargo, allowing shipments to be sealed, moved in bonded trucks, and processed under coordinated customs supervision by Dubai and Oman authorities.

All cargo movements must be handled by approved bonded operators, with DP World Logistics designated for sea cargo and dnata for air cargo. The directive sets out mandatory documentation, seal verification, and inspection procedures at each stage of transit, reinforcing customs control while enabling faster rerouting during operational disruptions.

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News developments

Dubai: Hotels and businesses gain breathing space under fee deferral push

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

5 April 2026: Authorities in Dubai have introduced new economic measures allowing hotels and businesses to defer key government fees, as authorities move to ease short‑term financial pressures and support economic resilience.

Hotels and businesses will be able to defer a range of government fees for an initial period of three months, with effect from 1 April 2026. The decision forms part of a wider Dh1 billion economic incentive package aimed at strengthening liquidity and maintaining business continuity across core sectors.

Under the measures, hotels will be permitted to postpone payment of 100% of sales fees on room revenues, food and beverage services, as well as the Tourism Dirham. The relief applies across all hospitality establishments, including hotels, hotel apartments and holiday homes, and is designed to address near‑term cash‑flow pressures in the tourism sector.

The deferral programme also extends to businesses across multiple sectors. Eligible companies may defer fees relating to premium business names, licence amendments, newspaper announcements, local service charges, accommodation fees, waste management fees and service improvement fees. The measures apply to both new licences and renewals, with authorities confirming that businesses will receive further guidance at the end of the three‑month period.

Officials stated the move was an administrative policy response rooted in Dubai’s adaptive economic model.

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