Member News

United Arab Emirates

ADGM Updates Sales and Promotions Permit Framework 

11 August 2026 

The Registration Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market has introduced a new Commercial Permit framework. Under the framework, any business intending to conduct sales or promotional activities from premises within Abu Dhabi Global Market must obtain a permit before the activity begins.  

A closer look 

Under the new framework, a Sales and Promotions Permit must be obtained before conducting any sales or promotional activity within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). 

The requirement covers a range of activities, including temporary sales discounts, clearance discounts, instant prize campaigns, prize draws, product launches and promotional stands. 

The requirement applies whether the activity is carried out directly by the business or through a third-party organizer, marketing agency or event contractor. Responsibility for obtaining the permit remains with the ADGM-licensed entity or, where applicable, a non-ADGM licensed entity holding a temporary commercial permit issued by the Registration Authority. 

The Registration Authority has also issued guidance including the activities requiring a permit, the application requirements and the application process through the Access ADGM portal. 

No equivalent permit requirement previously applied in ADGM.

Impact 

Businesses planning sales or promotional activities within ADGM should assess the new permit requirement at an early stage and allow sufficient time to prepare supporting documentation and obtain all required approvals before the activity begins. 

As permit issuance is not automatic, companies should not make commercial commitments on the assumption that a permit will be granted. 

If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Fragomen at [email protected].

UAE Recognises and Permits Exchange of Kazakh Driving Licences 

30 July 2026 

Effective immediately, the United Arab Emirates has announced recognizing driving licences issued by Kazakhstan and permitting their exchange for a UAE driving licence. 

A closer look 

Eligible Kazakh nationals relocating to or residing in the United Arab Emirates can exchange a valid Kazakh driving licence for a UAE licence without UAE driving lessons or a practical test. Kazakh nationals visiting the United Arab Emirates may also drive using their Kazakh licence during their stay, subject to the UAE's general framework for visitor licence recognition. 

The exchange process is understood to apply to Category B and B1 passenger-vehicle licences without another driving test. Applicants should confirm this directly with the Ministry of Interior or the licensing authority in the relevant emirate before applying.

Impact 

The arrangement will reduce the time and administrative steps required for Kazakh employees to obtain local driving privileges.

Employers should factor the licence exchange option into onboarding and relocation timelines for affected employees, while confirming current procedural requirements with the licensing authority in the relevant emirate.

Background 

Kazakhstan’s inclusion forms part of the UAE’s continued expansion of its driving licence exchange network, which covers more than 50 countries.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Fragomen at [email protected].

Police Clearance Certificate Now Required for Certain UAE Employment Visa Applicants 

23 July 2026 

Effective immediately, nationals of 10 countries must submit a Police Clearance Certificate – also referred to as a Good Conduct Certificate – when applying for a UAE employment visa through the Dubai International Financial Centre free zone.  

A closer look 

The Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) has confirmed that nationals of The Gambia, Ghana, Lebanon, Lithuania, Morocco, Mozambique, Pakistan, Senegal, Syria, and Tonga must provide a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) as part of the employment visa application process.

The documentation and procedural requirements for obtaining and submitting the PCC vary depending on whether the applicant is applying from within the United Arab Emirates or applying from outside the country. 

Although this requirement has only been officially confirmed by the DIFC, it may also be applied by other UAE jurisdictions in the future. Employers and applicants should therefore be prepared for similar requests where applicable, even in the absence of a formal announcement. 

Applicants outside the United Arab Emirates, or currently in the United Arab Emirates on a tourist or visit visa: 

• Must obtain a PCC from the relevant authorities in their home country; and 
• The PCC must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

Applicants currently in the United Arab Emirates on a cancelled employment or residence visa: 

• Must obtain a PCC issued by the relevant UAE authorities.

Impact 

Affected applicants and sponsoring employers should plan for the additional documentation, processing time and costs associated with obtaining and attesting the PCC.

Background  

Earlier this year, immigration practitioners observed that UAE authorities periodically requested PCCs from nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. 

If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Fragomen at [email protected].

Saudi Arabia

GOSI Permanently Closes Bank Account for GCC Social Security Payments 

24 July 2026 

Effective immediately, Saudi Arabia’s General Organization for Social Insurance has permanently closed the bank account used for social security contributions for Gulf Cooperation Council nationals. Employers can make outstanding and future payments using either virtual account details or an online credit card payment.

A closer look 

Saudi Arabia’s General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) has permanently closed the bank account used for social security contributions for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals. 

Employers must make outstanding and future payments directly through GOSI’s online portal, using either entity specific virtual account details or an online credit card payment. Payments must be made in the local currency of the employer’s business location.

GOSI has notified all registered employers of their entity-specific virtual bank account numbers via email. Employers who have not received this communication can access their GOSI online account to retrieve their designated virtual account number and use it for making monthly social insurance contribution payments. 

Impact 

Employers with outstanding or future social security contributions for GCC nationals should update their payment procedures to ensure that payments are made through GOSI’s digital channels, rather than the closed bank account. 

Background 

Earlier this year,  GOSI introduced new payment methods for monthly social security contributions through its online portal, using either virtual account details or an online credit card payment. Previously, payments could only be made by bank transfer.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Fragomen at [email protected].

Qatar 

Electronic Permit System for Travelers Carrying Controlled Medicines Launched 

11 August 2026 

Dubai’s Crown Prince has approved an additional AED 1.5 billion economic incentives package, bringing the total support measures introduced over the past two months to AED 2.5 billion.

A closer look 

Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has launched an electronic system that allows travelers arriving in or departing from Qatar to apply for a permit to carry controlled medicines for personal use, track the status of their application, and receive the permit electronically.

Applications must be submitted through Qatar's National Authentication System and supported by the required documentation, including a valid prescription. The Department of Pharmacy and Drug Control reviews applications and issues permits in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements.  

MoPH has also published guidance outlining the application process, supporting documentation requirements, and the list of controlled medicines covered by the system.

While the announcement confirms that the system has been launched, it does not specify a separate effective date, indicate whether any fees apply, address penalties for non-compliance, or clarify whether the electronic system replaces a previous application process. 

Impact 

Employees and family members traveling to or from Qatar with controlled medicines for personal use should obtain the required electronic permit before travel and allow sufficient time for processing. 

For employers, HR and global mobility teams, internal travel and assignment processes should be updated to reflect the permit requirement and associated processing times. 

If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Fragomen at [email protected].

Kuwait 

Framework for Converting Certain Visit Visas to Residence Permits Announced 

5 August 2026

Kuwait has announced a framework allowing foreign nationals to convert certain visit visas to residence permits upon payment of KWD 150.

A closer look  

The categories of foreign nationals who must now pay the KWD 150 fee as part of converting a visit visa into a residence permit include: 

• Holders of government entry visas issued by ministries, public establishments or authorities, provided they hold a university degree or technical specialization.
• Dependents of residents who entered Kuwait on a dependent or tourist visa.
• Foreign nationals who entered Kuwait on a work visa, began residence procedures, but had to leave the country for an emergency and remained outside Kuwait for less than one month.
• Other exceptional cases approved by the residency authorities. 

However, the authorities have not yet issued details on when the framework will take effect or how the process will operate in practice.

Previously, there was no formal framework allowing the in-country conversion of visit visas to residence permits in these circumstances, and no fee applied. 

Impact 

Once implemented, the framework is expected to provide eligible foreign nationals and employers with greater flexibility to transition to residence status from within Kuwait. Employers should monitor for further implementation guidance.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Fragomen at [email protected].

Oman

Amendments to Social Security Contributions for Omani Nationals Working in GCC Member State Countries 

7 August 2026

Effective June 22, 2026, the Social Protection Fund in Oman amended the Unified System for Extending Insurance Protection for Omani nationals working in GCC member state countries, including introducing unemployment insurance coverage and establishing new employer compliance requirements.  

A closer look 

Effective June 22, 2026, the Social Protection Fund in Oman amended the Unified System for Extending Insurance Protection for Omani nationals working in GCC member state countries, including the following changes:  

1. Unemployment insurance coverage was introduced.  Employers and employees must both separately contribute 0.5% of the employee’s total salary, with no salary cap.
2. Insurance contributions must be paid in accordance with the procedures and regulations applicable in the employee's host state.

Impact 

Employers should ensure that affected employees are appropriately registered with the relevant insurance authorities and that contributions are calculated and remitted in accordance with the applicable regulations in the host state. Employers are also expected to receive notifications shortly from the relevant insurance authorities regarding the implementation of these requirements. 

If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Fragomen at [email protected].

Morocco 

Processing Delays Expected During August and September 

10 August 2026 

Moroccan authorities are expected to experience operational disruptions and longer processing times for immigration-related applications during August and September 2026. 

A closer look 

The Casablanca Finance City Authority (CFCA), which supports related immigration applications for eligible companies, will be closed for its annual break from August 17 to 21, 2026. Reduced operational capacity amid this break period may continue to cause delays throughout August.  

Morocco’s Employment Department, which validates foreign employment contracts, is also expected to process applications more slowly during August due to reduced staffing resulting from annual leave, including the absence of key decision-makers.   

Further operational disruptions and increased processing times for immigration applications may occur across government authorities in September in connection with Morocco’s general elections, scheduled for September 23, 2026. 

Impact 

Employers are advised to submit immigration applications as early as possible and allow for additional processing time when planning assignments and start dates. 

If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Fragomen at [email protected]