UAE Ministry of Finance (“MoF”) issues electronic invoicing guidelines ahead of national rollout.
The UAE’s MoF announced the issuance of the official Electronic Invoicing Guidelines (the e-Invoicing guide), a comprehensive reference document designed to help businesses in preparing for the phased rollout of the UAE’s electronic invoicing regime.
Key Takeaways:
- The UAE will adopt a Decentralised Continuous Transaction Control (CTC) Model, under which invoices will be transmitted through accredited service providers before reaching the buyer.
- Businesses will be required to issue invoices in structured electronic format (XML-based), containing mandatory data fields including supplier details, VAT information, invoice lines, totals, and digital signatures/timestamps.
- Accredited Service Providers (“ASPs”) will act as intermediaries between suppliers and buyers, ensuring validation and reporting to the MoF.
- The framework will apply to Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) transactions in phases.
- Businesses are advised to assess ERP compatibility, engage with accredited providers early, and review internal VAT compliance processes.
- E-invoicing streamlines the invoicing process by enabling the digital exchange of invoices between businesses. It reduces errors, accelerates payments, and ensures greater compliance and transparency.
UAE designates Dubai’s VARA as competent authority for corporate tax on virtual assets.
The Ministry of Finance (“MoF”) has issued Ministerial Decision No. (336) of 2025 to add the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, established in the Emirate of Dubai pursuant to Law No. (4) of 2022, to the definition of the competent authority set out in Ministerial Decision No. (229) of 2025 concerning Qualifying and Excluded Activities for the purposes of Federal Decree-Law No. (47) of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses.
Key Takeaways:
- Under this decision, VARA is considered among the competent authorities for the purposes of Qualifying Activities related to fund management services and wealth and investment management services.
- VARA will coordinate with the Federal Tax Authority (“FTA”) in relation to licensing, supervision, and tax compliance matters.
- Virtual asset service providers (“VASPs”) operating in Dubai must ensure regulatory compliance with VARA requirements alongside corporate tax obligations.
- The decision strengthens regulatory alignment between virtual asset regulation and corporate tax enforcement frameworks.
- The MoF reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring clarity, certainty, and alignment across the UAE regulatory and tax framework, while continuing to strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for financial and investment services
Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) announces amendments to Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) Regulatory Legislation.
DFSA, the independent financial regulator for the DIFC, has published a Notice of Amendments to Legislation that will take effect from 02.03.2026 to update the DFSA rulebook and align it with recent changes in UAE federal law-particularly in anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance frameworks.
Key Takeaways:
- The DFSA Board issued amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorist Financing and Sanctions Module (“AML”) of the DFSA rulebook.
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) requirements have been clarified and strengthened, including ongoing monitoring obligations and beneficial ownership verification.
- Firms are required to adopt a more robust risk-based approach, with documented and regularly updated enterprise-wide AML risk assessments.
- Sanctions compliance obligations have been enhanced, including clearer requirements on screening, freezing, reporting, and handling sanctioned persons or entities.
- The Glossary Module has been amended to update and harmonise key definitions (including beneficial owner, PEP, sanctions, and suspicious activity) to ensure interpretative consistency across the rulebook.
- Governance expectations have been reinforced, requiring senior management oversight, independent testing of AML systems, and adequate resourcing of compliance functions.
Ajman Ruler issues law establishing Rental Dispute Resolution Centre.
His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has issued Law No. (1) of 2026 establishing the Rental Dispute Resolution Centre in the emirate of Ajman, replacing the existing rental disputes committee.
Key Takeaways:
- The law aims to strengthen the legislative framework governing rental relations in the emirate, while reinforcing the principles of justice and the swift resolution of disputes.
- The law establishes a specialised Rental Dispute Resolution Centre in Ajman to handle landlord–tenant disputes, replacing prior ad-hoc mechanisms and short-term committees.
- The framework aims to streamline dispute resolution procedures and reduce litigation timelines.
- The Centre will have authority over both residential and commercial tenancy disputes, including rent adjustments, eviction matters, contract interpretation issues, and tenant obligations.
- The law introduces clearer procedural steps – from complaint filing and notification to hearings, mediation attempts, and final decisions – which are designed to expedite resolution and reduce backlogs.
- The Centre operates through two primary adjudicatory bodies: a) First Instance Rental Committee to hear dispute at the initial stage; b) An Appellate Rental Committee where the appeals are permitted under defined conditions and thresholds.
