UAE announces major visa updates; Royal wedding pictures; ‘Silent Killer’ in Dubai; Unemployment insurance and tax – 10 top stories of 2023 so far

As we reach the half-way point of the year take a look back at some of the biggest stories that have grabbed Arabian Business readers’ attention so far in 2023.

With the Covid-19 pandemic recovery continuing to be seen at a societal, economic and healthcare level, travel and international movement has been a key topic in the UAE and around the world. That has put news about visas and ease of travel at the front of people’s minds. Whether it is visas for visitors coming into countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, or Schengen visas for visiting Europe there have been major developments in the first half of 2023.

In the UAE, key new laws and rules such as the payment of Corporate Tax and Unemployment Insurance have made headlines all year long as administrative guidelines have developed.

Elsewhere there has been a royal wedding in the UAE, a new district emerged in Dubai, police gave a health warning over a ‘silent killer’ and more.

Check out 10 of the biggest news stories you may have missed in the first half of 2023.

UAE Royal Wedding: Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana celebration

UAE royals, Sheikh Mana Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Bin Mana Al Maktoum and Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum confirmed their wedding earlier this year and shared pictures of a stunning reception on an official Instagram account.

Sheikha Mahra, daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai shared stunning pictures of a wedding reception event on Instagram.

The images showed Sheikha Mahra wearing a regal white gown. Another shows Sheikh Mana and Sheikha Mahra cutting a towering wedding cake with a traditional sword.

EU announces major Schengen Visa update for all nationalities

In March, the European Union Council announced plans to digitise the Schengen Visa application process, making it easier for applicants to apply for a visa.

The proposal aims to introduce the possibility of applying for a Schengen visa online, replacing the current visa sticker with a digital visa. The proposal is also expected to make the Schengen visa application process more practical and improve the security of the Schengen area.

The proposed rules will create a single website where all Schengen Visa applications will be made. On the platform, applicants will be able to submit all relevant information, upload electronic copies of travel and supporting documents, and pay fees.

New UAE visa rule: Dubai residents can now sponsor friends, family for 90 days

In February it was reported that Dubai residents can now sponsor their friends or family in the country by applying for a three-month visit visa.

The host is required to pay a refundable deposit of AED1,000 for the visa, reports said, adding that it could come up to AED1,770 inclusive of typing charges.

Reports added that individuals must apply for the 90-day visa online on the GDRFA website, via the mobile application or through an Amer typing centre.

Sheikh Mohammed orders Dubai district to be renamed Hind City

In January, Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE ordered that a district in the emirate be renamed.

Al Minhad and its surrounding areas are now known as “Hind City”.

The city includes four zones, Hind 1, Hind 2, Hind 3, and Hind 4, and spans an area of 83.9km. The city is served by major roads, including Emirates Road, Al Ain Road, and Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road.

Oman announces visa-free entry for over 100 countries

Earlier in the year, Oman announced that it is offering visa-free entry for up to 14 days to tourists from over 100 countries.

The move was aimed at encouraging more tourists to visit Oman, which is known for its natural beauty, rich history, and unique culture.

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) published a list of countries whose citizens are eligible for this new policy.

Saudi Arabia announces major visa rule change

Towards the end of Q1 this year, Saudi Arabia announced a major change to the visa application process for residents of GCC countries.

Residents of GCC countries can now apply for tourist visas regardless of their profession. The announcement was made by the Kingdom’s tourism minister, Ahmed al Khateeb. Previously, only certain professions were permitted tourist visas in the Kingdom.

The visa will be valid for tourism and Umrah visits and is available in single entry or multiple entry forms.

Dubai Police warning over ‘silent killer’

In February, Dubai Police issued a safety advisory on the dangers of accidentally inhaling carbon monoxide (CO), which can be produced by burning fuel in appliances such as stoves, ovens, fireplaces, and heating systems.

Butti Ahmed bin Darwish Al Falasi, director of the Security Awareness Department in the General Department of Community Happiness at Dubai Police, said that carbon monoxide exposures and poisonings occur more often during summer and winter seasons due to the lack of awareness and wrong practices of some individuals.

He said: “In summer, the most common way of getting carbon monoxide poisoning is when the AC of an automobile is on while it’s idle in a closed garage or space without proper ventilation. Carbon monoxide is odourless, so it goes undetected by humans and silently kills them.”

UAE introduced unemployment insurance

In June, the UAE introduced an unemployment insurance scheme for all employees in the country. The scheme is mandatory and those who did not subscribe by the deadline of June 1 faced fines, following the one month grace period ending on June 30.

The mandatory job loss insurance is applicable for all employees in the Emirates including freezone and semi-government workers.

The scheme is divided into two categories, Category A is for those who earn below AED16,000 and Category B is for workers who earn over AED16,000 and starts at a cost for as less as AED5 with a coverage of up to AED60,000.

UAE corporate tax 2023: Everything you need to know

UAE businesses became subject to corporate tax from the beginning of the first fiscal year that begans on or after June 1, 2023.

The UAE officially issued a federal decree-law on corporate tax at a nine per cent rate for taxable business profits exceeding AED375,000 at the end of last year.

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on Taxation of Corporations and Businesses, the payment and compliance deadline will give taxpayers a time period of up to 21 months from the beginning of their financial year to prepare for filing and making their tax payments.

UAE issues warning for companies to provide housing for employees

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that establishments need to provide labour accommodation, as part of Ministerial resolution No. 44 of 2022.

In a Twitter post, MoHRE said that an establishment must provide accommodation if:

• It has 50 workers or more
• Worker’s wages are AED1,500 or less

However, these accommodations must meet the standards set by the authority. These standards must:

• Comply with the general standard guidelines for shared labour accommodation and its services
• Comply with the general standard guidelines for shared accommodations dedicated to accommodating less than 500 workers