Eid Al Adha 2023 date; major UAE visa changes; ‘Silent Killer’ in Dubai; tax rules announced – 10 things you missed this week

No official announcement has been made on the dates of the holiday, but residents can expect either a five or six-day weekend, depending on the sighting of the moon.

This week the UAE has also seen major updates to visa services with the news that visitors can extend their stay without having to leave the country. Meanwhile, the UK Government hit the headlines with news that visitors from GCC countries will be able to get multiple-entry authorisation valid for two years for just $12.

Elsewhere Saudi Arabia has made it mandatory for Indians to take skill verification tests for employment and Kuwait declared a plan to start deporting property owners renting accommodation to bachelors.

In Dubai, police issued a warning over the threat of a “silent killer” in the city and it was revealed Al Maktoum Airport will be the world’s largest when it is finished.

It has been a busy week in the Middle East, catch up with the biggest stories of the past seven days.

Eid Al Adha 2023: Expected dates for six-day weekend revealed

As Eid Al Adha nears, UAE residents can expect a long weekend, right before schools close for a two-month summer break.

Residents can expect either a five- or six-day weekend, depending on the Moon sighting, which determines the beginning and ending of the Islamic Hijri calendar months.

The designated holiday period for this festival is from the 9th to the 12th of Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic calendar.

UK announces major visa change for visitors from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Jordan

The UK Government has announced a major change to visit visa requirements for GCC nationals.

The Government will remove visit visa requirements for citizens from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and also Jordan.

Instead they will be offered an Electronic Travel Authorisation lasting two years for just £10 ($12). It means Gulf travellers and Jordanians will have entry requirements in line with citizens of the US and Australia.

UAE visit visa: Tourists can extend their stay without exiting the country

UAE tourists holding a visit visa can now extend their visas within the country, a Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) agent confirmed to Arabian Business.

However, the tourist must enter the country with 60 days from the date of issuance, and the validity of the entry permit will be 30 days or 60 days, depending on the type of visa.

The tourist must leave the UAE at the last date of their visa’s validity or extend their visa before its expiry, or a fine will be imposed.

Saudi Arabia announces mandatory employment test for Indians: Report

Saudi Arabia has made it mandatory for Indians to take the Skill Verification Program (SVP) test, according to a report by The Economic Times.

The move is part of the kingdom’s efforts to enhance the quality of its professional workforce and combat the issue of unqualified employees.

The test is mandatory for specific categories of jobs in the initial phase, with the intention to gradually expand it to encompass all other occupations.

Dubai Police issue warning over ‘silent killer’

Dubai Police have raised safety concerns and are looking to raise awareness of what they have dubbed a “silent killer” in the emirate.

Accidentally inhaling carbon monoxide can kill without a victim being aware of a problem, said police during an awareness workshop.

Dubai Police said the silent killer can be a result of improper care of vehicles.

New UAE speed limit begins Wednesday, June 7

UAE authorities have advised motorists to be aware of a new speed limit being introduced this week.

Abu Dhabi Police and the Integrated Transport Centre called on drivers to adhere to new speed limits on Umm Yafina Street to Sheikh Zayed Road.

Social media statements did not specify the new speed limit, but new signage in both directions on the impacted area specify the new rules.

Kuwait to deport those found renting homes to bachelors: Report

Property owners in Kuwait will be deported by the municipality, if found renting their property to bachelors.

The move is part of the Kuwait Municipality’s efforts to curb the growing issue of bachelors residing in private and model housing.

The new decision was revealed by Acting Director General of Kuwait Municipality, Eng. Saud Al-Dabbous, and was reached during a recent committee meeting dedicated to addressing the phenomenon, according to a report by Al-Rai daily.

Talabat CEO goes undercover as delivery rider in a mission to uncover problems, form solutions

If you ordered from Talabat recently, chances are that you might have got your food delivered by the CEO himself.

Tomaso Rodriguez went undercover as a delivery driver in Dubai to experience the process first-hand and find ways to improve the service while doing so. “It was a great experience for me and now I have decided to do it every quarter,” he said.

The delivery giant’s CEO made a choice to perform the deliveries during summer, to truly get a sense of what the riders go through during peak temperatures. During his undercover operation, Rodriguez experienced first-hand the day-to-day process of Talabat’s on-ground operations.

UAE announces rules on tax for real estate investments

The UAE has issued rules on whether income from real estate investments is subject to corporate tax in the country.

The Ministry of Finance announced the rules in a cabinet decision, which clarifies rules on property across the United Arab Emirates.

It outlines whether foreign companies and property owners based outside the country need to register investments for tax purposes.

Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport to be ‘world’s largest’ when complete

The Al Maktoum International Airport is aimed at being the world’s largest airport on completion, according to urban master developer Dubai South.

“#DubaiSouth will be home to the world’s largest airport once complete, and a multi-modal transport infrastructure linking air, land, and sea. Along with the advantages of a business-friendly free zone, it will also provide a diverse range of residential options,” Dubai South said via Twitter.

The airport, a development worth AED120bn ($33bn), was launched in 2010 for cargo operations and in 2013 for passengers.