Sir Bani Yas Island's three Anantara resorts are reopening for stays from February 1, almost one year after shutting doors after the global pandemic began.
The UAE's largest natural island, located off the coast of Abu Dhabi, is home to Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara, Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort and Anantara Sahel Villa Resort.
Each has now been Go Safe-certified by Abu Dhabi authorities and is ready to reopen for overnight stays.
To celebrate the reopening, Anantara is launching a new all-inclusive package that's available to book across all three properties.
Including full-board dining and unlimited soft beverages as part of the package, all-inclusive stays also allow guests to try one complimentary activity per adult. Guests checking into Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara can opt to upgrade to the ultra all-inclusive package, which includes house beverages and a free stay for up to two children under 12.
There are plenty of activities to choose from including archery, nature walks, wildlife drives, falconry sessions, horse-riding, kayaking in the lagoon or a history tour of the island.
Family-friendly or couple's retreat
Each of the Anantara resorts on Sir Bani Yas Island offer a luxury getaway and the highest in hygiene standards, certified by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi's Go Safe programme.
Anantara also has a Stay with Peace of Mind programme, under which health and hygiene guidelines have been rolled out at the hotel group's properties.
For families, Desert Island Resort & Spa has an endless private beach, spacious rooms and a sprawling Anantara Spa. As the first hotel to be built on the island, it’s also the largest, with 64 rooms and the biggest free-form swimming pool overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
For those seeking a wildlife-surrounded stay, Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort offers African lodge-style stays with views of the surrounding savannah. Located in the Arabian wildlife park, it has villas with private plunge pools where it's not unlikely to spot gazelle or oryx when taking a sunset dip.
Travellers looking for a secluded getaway may want to consider Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort on the island’s eastern shore. Guests checking in to any of the 30 beachfront villas will have access to fine-dining restaurants and couples' spa treatments in private cabanas right on the beach. Stays here also come with some of the best uninterrupted ocean views in Abu Dhabi.
If you can't make up your mind which resort suits you best and money is no object, then you can consider renting out the entire island. An exclusive stay on Sir Bani Yas Island with access to all three resorts costs from $89,000 per night.
Ostrich, oryx and ancient history
Reachable via a ferry jetty located two and a half hours from the city of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island has plenty to discover. A Royal Nature Reserve for 50 years, the island is home to a thriving ecosystem of more than 11,000 animals from 30 different endangered species and guests can spot giraffe, ostrich, cheetah, Arabian oryx, antelope and more.
There’s also plenty to see around the island, including a 7th-century monastery, palm oasis, salt domes, ancient pearl fishing sites and other archeological finds.
Sir Bani Yas Island offers travellers seeking a staycation within the emirate's borders a new choice for a place to stay, with no PCR test required to reach the island for residents in the capital.
Ultra all-inclusive rates start from Dh1,999 per night; anantara.com
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A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
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6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
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Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
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9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
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10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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