Publications

The UAE has launched a new initiative for young business founders - the Young Entrepreneurs’ Business Setup Program, launched by Creative Zone, RAKEZ and the Mashreq NEO Biz digital bank. If you look at it more broadly, this is not just a separate program, but another step by the UAE towards systematically simplifying business startups. For several years now, a model has been consistently being built at the country level, where the number of barriers to entry is minimized, startup time is reduced, and ready-made tools are provided for the start.

The UAE is starting a gradual transition to electronic invoices, and for businesses this means not just a change in the format of documents, but a change in the approach to working with finances in general. The first important milestone is July 1, 2026. By this date, companies need to prepare: choose a provider, test their systems and understand what work will look like in the new model. This is not a launch date, but the moment when the business should already be ready.

In the UK, Ltd companies remain one of the most common forms of business among international entrepreneurs. This is due to a stable legal system, clear operating rules and a fairly predictable tax model. In 2026, the basic tax structure has not undergone fundamental changes, but the approach to planning has become much more important. Now the key role is played not only by the tax rate, but also by how the company is structured and how financial flows move.

In Dubai, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) announced a transition to a new development model based on artificial intelligence. It's important to understand that this isn't just a financial center, but an independent free zone with its own legal and regulatory system.

Today, the most popular and straightforward way to obtain a Golden Visa in the UAE is through real estate investment. Essentially, you simultaneously purchase an asset and obtain long-term residency status. According to the Antwort Law team, this is the most frequently chosen option by clients because it is the most transparent: there is a clear entry fee, understandable requirements, and a relatively quick process.

Interest in the Golden Visa in the UAE has grown significantly over the past couple of years. In our experience at Antwort Law, more and more clients are viewing it not just as a residence visa, but as a tool for more flexible living and working. Simply put, the Golden Visa is a long-term residency status for up to 10 years. It is available to investors, business owners, property owners, and certain categories of specialists. The program is regulated by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, and its terms are quite clearly structured.

The United Arab Emirates is tightening its grip on visa procedures. According to the Antwort Law team, a Good Conduct Certificate (or Police Clearance Certificate) is increasingly being requested for applications. According to updates from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), the new requirements are already being applied to a number of nationalities. However, this is not so much a formal change in the rules as a genuine tightening of the approach to applicant screening.

The unstable situation in the UAE is forcing more and more entrepreneurs to seek alternative options for growing their businesses. Requests for opening a backup corporate account in another jurisdiction to continue servicing international transactions are currently one of the most frequent requests from our team of lawyers at Antwort Law. We not only have extensive, successful, and diverse experience in banking and KYC consulting, but also the rare opportunity to evaluate alternative options across multiple jurisdictions, as we operate globally. We'll discuss this in a new article, highlighting the top 5 countries where Arab companies should open a backup account to ensure your business continues uninterrupted.

The Antwort Law team notes Dubai's latest step toward systemic regulation of digital assets—the launch of a separate regulatory framework for derivatives trading on virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies. This new framework, developed by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), covers derivatives such as futures and options on crypto assets at the for the first time at the separate regulatory level. The document has already entered into force and applies to all licensed providers operating in Dubai. Essentially, the regulator is removing one of the riskiest segments of the crypto market from the "gray zone" and creating clear and binding rules for it.

The Antwort Law team notes an important change in the United Arab Emirates' tax system—the launch of the first phase of the research and development (R&D) tax incentive program. This innovation reflects the country's strategic focus on developing an innovative economy and aligning tax policy with international standards.