Other Briefings
Ramadan 2026 in the UAE and Saudi Arabia: Compliance, Consumer Peaks, and Strategic Timing for Foreign Businesses
Ramadan 2026 in the UAE and Saudi Arabia should be treated as both a compliance-sensitive period and a predictable commercial peak, requiring early alignment on reduced working hours, overtime rules, staffing models, and regulatory timelines.
UAE Weighs Remote and Flexible Work Mandates for Mothers of Young Children
The UAE has proposed prioritizing remote and flexible work for mothers of young children and other caregiving groups. While not yet law, the initiative signals a broader shift in labor policy that could reshape employer obligations.
Oman Requires Ministry Approval for Termination of Omani Nationals
Oman has confirmed that employers must obtain prior Ministry of Labour approval before the termination of any Omani national, significantly tightening compliance requirements across the private sector.
Ramadan 2026 in the Gulf: Early Timeline Confirmation and Implications for Business and Investors
The UAE has confirmed that the Islamic month of Shaaban started on January 20, 2026, paving the way for Ramadan 2026 dates.
UAE Raises Minimum Wage for Emiratis in the Private Sector to AED 6,000 from January 2026
MoHRE has called on companies to review and amend employment contracts of Emirati employees to ensure full compliance ahead of the implementation deadline – June 30.
Dubai’s New Year’s Eve Road Closures: What Businesses Need to Know
Dubai’s phased New Year’s Eve road closures around Downtown and the Burj Khalifa from 4:00 pm will significantly disrupt commuting, deliveries, and customer access, requiring businesses to plan ahead.
Four New UAE’s Visit Visas in 2025: All You Need to Know
The UAE’s 2025 visit visa reforms introduce purpose-specific categories that tighten the link between permitted activities, visa type, and sponsor accountability.
Kuwait Introduces Long-Term Residency of Up to 15 Years While Raising Iqama and Visa Fees
Kuwait has reformed its immigration and residency framework, and has increased iqama, visa, and health insurance fees across most categories.
Saudi Arabia Tightens Iqama, Visa, and Residency Ahead of 2026
Saudi Arabia is intensifying immigration and residency enforcement ahead of 2026 by introducing streamlined deportation procedures for visa violators and increasing penalties for corporate non-compliance, particularly in relation to Iqama status and beneficial owner disclosures.
UAE Declares January 1, 2026 Paid Public Holiday for Private Sector
The UAE has confirmed January 1, 2026, as a paid public holiday for all private-sector employees, aligning private-sector entitlements with the federal public holiday framework. The early announcement gives employers clarity to plan payroll, staffing, and operations for the start of 2026 in line with labor law requirements. The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Human […]
