On the clock
UAE compliance deadlines
Every upcoming obligation we're tracking — soonest first, each sourced to the regulator. 31 open deadlines.
September 2026
- Transport due todayAbu Dhabi drivers can reduce traffic black points for Dh800 at ADIHEX
Eligible drivers (8–23 black points or 24+ points seeking licence recovery) must register at the ADIHEX platform, pay the applicable fee (Dh800 or Dh2,400), and complete a rehabilitation course to qualify for point reduction or licence restoration.
- Financial services due tomorrowDFSA proposes major update to DIFC fund rules in CP 173
Fund managers, asset managers, custody providers, and advisers operating in DIFC must submit feedback on CP 173 by 7 September 2026.
- Education 6 days leftNew regulations governing higher education violations and penalties effective September 2026
Higher education institutions, TVET institutions, and training centres must review the new regulations and ensure compliance with the unified framework of violations, penalties and administrative measures by the 12 September 2026 effective date.
- Corporate 10 days leftSharjah Civil Defence offers 50% discount on fines through September 2026
Businesses with outstanding civil defence or police violations issued between 2019 and 2026 should contact Sharjah Civil Defence or Sharjah Police to apply for the 50% fine discount within the three-month window (June 16 – September 16, 2026).
- Transport 11 days leftAjman bus routes to stop accepting cash payments from September 17
Passengers on Ajman bus routes must obtain and activate a Masaar Money card or use a bank card before September 17, 2026, as cash will no longer be accepted for fares.
- Corporate 12 days leftOFAC revokes General License X, issues narrower GL X-1 for Iran energy-sector winding down
Companies with exposure to Iran's energy sector must carefully review GL X-1 to determine whether their transactions qualify for authorisation. Those whose transactions do not qualify must ensure they wind down activities in compliance with US sanctions law by 18 September 2026.
- Corporate due 25 Sept 2026Hajj 2027 registration for UAE citizens opens September 14
UAE citizens wishing to perform Hajj in 2027 must register between September 14 and September 25, 2026, via the Awqaf authority's smart app or website.
- Digital & tech due 27 Sept 2026Weebly winding down service for UAE and 66 other countries by September 2026
UAE users with Weebly sites must download their data and content before September 27, 2026, and transfer their domain names to a new provider before December 26, 2026.
- Tax due 30 Sept 2026Companies must file corporate tax returns and pay dues by 30 September
All Taxable Persons whose financial year ended on 31 December 2025 must file Tax Returns and pay Corporate Tax due through the EmaraTax platform or via an approved Tax Agent by 30 September 2026. Exempt Persons must register to file annual declarations. Failure to comply will incur administrative penalties.
- Tax due 30 Sept 2026Small Business Relief eligible firms must file simplified corporate tax returns by September 30
Taxable persons eligible for Small Business Relief must submit their Corporate Tax returns and pay any due Corporate Tax by the deadline. Those with financial year ended December 31, 2025 must file by September 30, 2026. Businesses must elect Small Business Relief through their tax returns and maintain all supporting records.
- Tax due 30 Sept 2026Small businesses must still file corporate tax returns even if no tax is due
Small businesses eligible for Small Business Relief must still file their Corporate Tax return by the deadline, even if they have no taxable income.
October 2026
- Tax due 1 Oct 2026FTA Decision 13/2026 sets supplier verification rules for VAT input tax deduction
Taxable persons must implement supplier and supply verification procedures in accordance with FTA Decision No. 13/2026 before claiming input tax deductions, effective 1 October 2026. This includes obtaining supplier identity documentation, verifying business addresses, assessing risk indicators, and for high-value suppliers, obtaining bank confirmations and reviewing publicly available information.
- Health & safety due 1 Oct 2026Abu Dhabi mandates healthy menu options in hotels and restaurants from October 2026
Hotels, restaurants, and food and beverage outlets holding a tourism licence must revise menus to include compliant healthy options and mark them with the SEHHI logo before October 1, 2026. Establishments must be prepared to submit menus and nutritional information to the Department of Tourism and Culture upon request.
- Corporate due 12 Oct 2026UAE upgraded to Country Group A under U.S. export controls, easing advanced computing trade
UAE commercial entities seeking to trade in advanced computing items or other controlled technology must apply for Approved Entity status through BIS's Advisory Opinion process (EAR Section 748.3(c)) unless already listed. G42 and Core42 must reapply or become U.S. companies within 270 days to retain approval.
- Labour due 30 Oct 2026Trade union workplace access right effective 30 October 2026
Employers should review their existing recognition agreements, update policies, and train managers on handling access requests before the effective date.
- Tax due 30 Oct 2026UAE e-invoicing mandates phase-in from July 2026, starting with AED 50m+ firms
Taxpayers with annual revenue of AED 50 million or more must appoint an accredited e-invoicing service provider by 30 October 2026 and implement the system by 1 January 2027.
- Tax due 30 Oct 2026E-invoicing mandate: Large businesses must appoint service provider by October 30, 2026
Large businesses (annual revenue ≥Dh50m) must appoint an accredited e-invoicing service provider by October 30, 2026 to comply with mandatory implementation on January 1, 2027. Smaller businesses must appoint a provider by March 31, 2027 for July 1, 2027 implementation. All businesses must ensure systems can generate PEPPOL-compliant structured electronic invoices.
- Corporate due 31 Oct 2026Abu Dhabi extends Al Hadhra fixed-gear fishing season to 31 October 2026
Licensed Al Hadhra fishermen must operate only at licensed sites and comply with all other fishing regulations, closed seasons, and protected-species rules. EAD will conduct field visits and run awareness sessions on sustainable practice, minimum catch sizes, and proper fixed-gear maintenance.
November 2026
- Tax due 30 Nov 2026Top-up tax registration deadline set at seven months under FTA Decision 12
Multinational enterprises subject to Top-up Tax must register with the FTA within seven months of the end of their first in-scope fiscal year, or by 30 November 2026 if their fiscal year ended before 30 April 2026. Entities leaving the MNE Group must deregister within six months.
December 2026
- Corporate due 1 Dec 2026Businesses must obtain annual music licenses starting December 2026
Businesses using copyrighted music commercially must obtain an annual license from EMRA or Music Nation and pay the applicable fee by 1 December 2026. Fees are based on venue type and size.
- Corporate due 1 Dec 2026Music licensing fees for cafes, restaurants and malls from December
Cafes, restaurants, and malls must register for music licensing and pay applicable fees beginning in December 2026 under MOET's collective management framework.
- Corporate due 1 Dec 2026Cafes, hotels, malls must pay music licensing fees from December 2026
Cafes, hotels, malls, restaurants, fitness centres, airlines, radio and television stations, and concert venues must obtain a music licensing permit from either the Emirates Music Rights Association or Music Nation before December 2026 to legally play music.
- Labour due 31 Dec 2026Companies with 50+ employees must increase Emirati workforce by 2% by 2026
Private sector companies with 50 or more employees must increase the number of Emirati employees by 2% of their skilled workforce by the end of 2026.
- Corporate due 31 Dec 2026Dubai Customs offers instalment plan and 80% fine reduction for eligible businesses
Importers with eligible customs duties must apply to Dubai Customs' Finance Department by 30 September 2026 to benefit from the instalment plan. Businesses with qualifying fines issued before 28 February 2026 must submit applications by 31 December 2026 to claim the 80 per cent reduction.
January 2027
- Health & safety due 1 Jan 2027Abu Dhabi supermarkets must remove junk food from checkouts by January 2027
Supermarkets larger than 4,000 square feet must relocate HFSS products away from checkouts, entrances, and end-of-aisle displays, and ensure these products are not prominently featured online by January 1, 2027.
- Health & safety due 1 Jan 2027Abu Dhabi mandates responsible food placement in supermarkets from January 2027
Supermarkets larger than 4,000 sqft across Abu Dhabi must comply with the new responsible food and beverage placement policy by redesigning in-store layouts and online interfaces to remove HFSS products from high-visibility locations.
- Corporate due 24 Jan 2027DIFC Prescribed Companies must appoint licensed service providers by January 24, 2027
Existing non-exempt Prescribed Companies must appoint a DFSA-licensed Corporate Service Provider to manage ongoing administration and regulatory compliance by 24 January 2027.
June 2027
- Digital & tech due 30 Jun 2027Social media age minimum raised to 15 under Cabinet Resolution 106
Social media platforms must implement age verification systems and build in age-appropriate safeguards (content filtering, contact limits, screen-time tools, parental controls) for 15–16-year-olds. Parents should prepare children for the transition by encouraging offline activities and modelling healthy digital habits.
August 2027
- Real estate due 26 Aug 2027Dubai shared housing law takes effect August 26, 2026 with Dh1M fines for violations
Property owners and operators of shared housing units must comply with the new law by August 26, 2027. All units require a new permit from Dubai Municipality before operating as shared accommodation.
September 2027
- Real estate due 30 Sept 2027Subletting without permit now prohibited under Dubai shared housing law
Landlords and shared housing operators must apply for official permits before the September 2027 deadline. Properties must meet fire safety, sanitation, environmental, security and electricity standards. Tenants should request a copy of the shared-housing permit, confirmation of approved category and maximum occupancy, operator's trade licence, and confirmation that the lease will be registered in the Shared Housing Register.
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