UAE residents were alerted to new real estate laws, warned of currency scams and given the opportunity to scrap traffic black points this week.
It has been a busy week in the Middle East, with law changes and regulation changes across the GCC.
In Kuwait, expats have been ordered to pay outstanding debts before they are permitted to leave the country.
Saudi Arabia issued a tax warning to businesses, advising them to pay VAT dues or face fines.
Elsewhere in the region, a new visa was announced for visitors to Saudi Arabia, Dubai shared a travel advisory for airport travellers and the region’s superstar footballers continued their race for the top scorer golden boot race.
Catch up with the biggest news stories of the week, as selected by Arabian Business editors.
Kuwait announces major law change for all expats
Kuwait has announced a new law aimed at all foreigners looking to exit the country for any reason.
Every expat departing the country will now be required to settle all traffic fines and violations registered against them before they can depart. This week has also seen electricity, water and phone bills added to travel requirements for expats.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior said the new travel rules will be effective immediately and called on expats to comply with the legal provisions.
Saudi Arabia issues tax warning
Saudi Arabia has warned businesses to pay owed tax or face major fines in the country.
Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has called on commercial sector businesses subject to value-added tax (VAT) whose annual revenues of goods and services exceed SR40m ($10.7m) to submit VAT statements for July by August 31.
ZATCA urged facilities to expedite submitting their tax statements via the zatca.gov.sa website or to submit and pay via the authority’s ZATCA smartphone application in order to avoid a fine of a minimum of 5 per cent and a maximum of 25 percent of the tax value that the taxpayer should pay.
Saudi Arabia announces new visa on arrival for some citizens
As of August 20, 2023, travellers from the United States, United Kingdom, various European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Brunei, and China can now obtain Umrah visas upon arrival in the kingdom.
The new visa on arrival scheme for Umrah allows entry into Saudi Arabia through sea, air, or land ports, granting visitors a 90-day stay within the kingdom. The visas not only facilitate spiritual journeys but also foster familial connections and tourism experiences.
Dubai issues travel advisory against carrying prohibited items
The advisory was issued on Monday via Twitter, “For safer travels, avoid carrying prohibited items, as they pose risks to your safety and those around you,” the post read.
Prohibited items:
- Weapons, sharp tools
- Liquids exceeding 100ML
- Lighters
- Lithium batteries
- Alcoholic substances
- Flammable materials
- Compressed gases
UAE announces new real estate laws
New real estate laws have been announced in the UAE.
Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, issued Law No.3 for 2023 on regulating joint property ownership in the emirate of Fujairah. Sheikh Hamad also issued Law No.4 for 2023 regulating real estate development guarantee accounts.
The two laws stipulate that developers, management companies, associations and owners’ unions are to align their situations with the provisions of the laws within six months from the dates of their issuance, with the possibility for the relevant authority’s director to extend the deadline for the same period when required.
UAE issues currency scam warning
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department said counterfeit gangs use social media to target people with fake currency offers during the holidays.
In a video posted on social media the ADJD advised people only to use authorised exchange houses or banks when changing foreign currency in the UAE.
Saudi Pro League top scorers 2023-2024: Ronaldo, Neymar, Benzema, Firmino – who will win Golden Boot after $750m spend?
For the Saudi Pro League it started with Cristiano Ronaldo, but nobody could have imagined it would end like this.
Neymar, Benzema, Firmino – the procession of superstar football players turning up in the Kingdom has shown no signs of slowing down all summer and more could yet arrive.
As well as the prestigious Pro League, competition to win the team tournament, individuals will compete for the title of top scorer in the league. Check out the best forwards playing in the Saudi Pro League and hoping to be the Kingdom’s top scorer this season.
Saudi Arabia announces $1,600 traffic fine
The General Directorate of Traffic said that it is forbidden to overtake a stationary school bus and doing so can result in a fine of SR3,000 ($800) and SR6,000 ($1,600).
When school buses are picking up or dropping off students, it is illegal to pass the vehicle for the safety of both pedestrians and road users.
UAE announces plan to scrap traffic black points
Ahead of Accident-Free Day on August 28, motorists are being given the opportunity to have four black traffic points removed from their record.
The Federal Traffic Council introduced the initiative to strike off four black traffic points as a reward for individuals who actively engage in the national campaign “Accident-Free Day.”
UAE issues hurricane warning
The UAE has warned citizens over the threat of Hurricane Hilary.
The UAE Consulate in Los Angeles told citizens in the USA to “excise caution” as California prepares for its first tropical storm in 84 years.
Southern California and neighbouring states are expecting more than a year’s worth of rain this weekend, with the US National Hurricane Centre forecasting 230kmph winds and “significant flooding”.
In a post on social media the consulate in Los Angeles said: “The Consulate operating for the UAE in Los Angeles calls upon the citizens of the country in the United States of America to exercise caution due to the extension of the impact of Hurricane “Hilary” in the form of a rainstorm.
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