My Business Consulting DMCC is an independent management consulting firm, providing advisory and administrative support for company formation, immigration, banking, and related services in the UAE. We are not a government authority; all official documents and approvals are issued exclusively by the respective government entities.
UAE Regulatory Changes 2026: What Business Founders Must Know
Setting up and running a business in the UAE has always been about more than opportunity — it is about doing things correctly from the start. As the regulatory environment evolves, founders and investors must pay closer attention to how their businesses are licensed, how people are mobilised, and how operations remain compliant across different Emirates.
Heading into 2026, the UAE is introducing a number of regulatory updates that directly influence business setup, relocation decisions, operational processes, and market entry planning. Below are the changes that are particularly relevant for international founders building a presence in Dubai and across the UAE.
Social Media Advertising: Mandatory Advertiser Permit
Deadline: 31 January 2026 Authority: UAE Media Council
From 2026, digital advertising activity in the UAE may only be carried out through registered social media accounts linked to an approved advertiser permit. This applies to influencers, content creators, freelancers, and individuals publishing promotional content — whether paid or unpaid.
For businesses, this introduces a new compliance layer in influencer marketing and digital campaigns. Working with unregistered creators may expose brands to regulatory risk.
Who is affected:
Influencers, agencies, brands running digital advertising campaigns.
What to do next:
Verify that creators you work with hold valid permits
Update influencer contracts with compliance clauses
Apply for the permit via the UAE Media Council portal
Effective from: 1 January 2026 Authorities: Dubai Municipality & MOCCAE
The new rules prohibit the import, manufacture, trade, and use of specific plastic items, which directly affects procurement contracts, cost structures, inventory planning, supplier selection, and daily operational workflows.
Authorities have made it clear that the objective is to shift both commercial and consumer behaviour toward sustainable alternatives, supporting waste reduction, marine protection, and the UAE’s circular economy strategy.
Plastic items are banned under the expanded rules
The following single-use plastic items will be prohibited under the federal and Dubai-level regulations:
Beverage cups and plastic lids
Cutlery, including forks, knives, spoons, and chopsticks
Plates and trays
Straws and drink stirrers
Food containers and boxes made from Styrofoam (polystyrene)
Selected forms of plastic packaging used for takeaway and ready-to-eat food
Who is affected:
F&B operators, wholesale & retail, hospitality, events, and trading businesses
Effective from: 2026 (implementation subject to ICP guidance) Authority: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
The updated Mission Visa / Visit Visa for Work Assignments is designed for short-term, project-based professional work in the UAE without long-term employment sponsorship. From 2026, this visa is positioned as a multiple-entry permit, allowing professionals to enter and exit the UAE multiple times, with a maximum stay of up to 60 days per visit and a total stay not exceeding 180 days within any rolling 12-month period.
This structure makes the Mission Visa suitable for consultants, auditors, technical specialists, fit-out teams, IT implementers, and project managers, allowing companies to legally manage recurring short-term projects while avoiding repeated visa cancellations and reapplications.
However, the conditions are strict: the Mission Visa applies only to temporary, non-continuous work. If an individual’s activities become ongoing, operational, or managerial, or if presence in the UAE exceeds the permitted limits, the visa must be upgraded to a residence visa and work permit in accordance with regulations issued by the ICP.
Who is affected:
Companies using project-based foreign specialists.
What to do next:
Define assignment scope and duration clearly
Check current visa conditions via ICP
Upgrade to residency permits where work becomes ongoing
Full implementation: by March 2026 Authority: Central Bank of the UAE
UAE banks are phasing out one-time passwords sent via SMS or email, replacing them with app-based and biometric authentication. While this enhances security, it requires operational readiness — particularly for companies managing payments remotely.
Who is affected:
All personal and corporate banking customers.
What to do next:
Ensure bank apps and biometric access are activated
The UAE’s 2026 regulatory framework favours businesses that are structured correctly from the start. For founders and investors, understanding these changes is essential to avoid delays, compliance risks, and operational disruptions.
My Business Consulting DMCC supports international clients with business setup in Dubai, relocation and residence visas, immigration structuring, and corporate and personal bank account opening — all aligned with current regulations and long-term growth plans.
Planning a UAE company formation or restructuring your existing setup? Speak with our team to establish a compliant, bankable, and scalable presence with confidence.
