The UAE has reduced the validity of residency visas for free zones from three years to up to two years.
Individual free zones have been updating their clients via circulars about the new rule that's effective from October 3.
It said all residence visas that are currently under process will reflect the new validity.
Meanwhile, residence visas that have already been issued will remain valid for the three-year time frame until renewal.
UAE Circular Economy Council focuses on food security, sustainable growth
The UAE Circular Economy Council held its first meeting of 2026 on Wednesday, with discussions centred on strengthening food security, expanding sustainable production, and increasing investment in circular economy sectors.
UAE announces decision to withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+
The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday its decision to exit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC and OPEC+), effective 1 May 2026.
Microsoft, OpenAI change terms of deal so startup can court Amazon, others
Microsoft and OpenAI have renegotiated a pact that let Microsoft exclusively sell the ChatGPT creator's artificial intelligence models, clearing the way for the startup to forge new deals with rivals to the software and enterprise giant, including Amazon.
UAE tops global entrepreneurship rankings for 5th straight year
The UAE has been ranked first globally for the fifth consecutive year in the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report.
US judge dismisses Musk's fraud claims in OpenAI case
A US judge on Friday dismissed Elon Musk's fraud claims in his lawsuit accusing OpenAI and co-founder Sam Altman of betraying OpenAI's original mission, but plans to proceed to trial on Musk's breach-of-charitable-trust and unjust-enrichment claims.
Dubai Police have led a major international operation targeting transnational financial crime, resulting in the arrest of 276 suspects and the dismantling of nine criminal centres linked to investment fraud and virtual currency scams.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on Wednesday, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
The UAE’s National Anti-Narcotics Authority has announced the dismantling of a criminal gang involved in drug trafficking and distribution, following a month-long joint operation with Dubai Police, Sharjah Police and authorities in Bahrain.
