• Abu Dhabi was named the second most cultural city in the world by Skyscanner.
    Abu Dhabi was named the second most cultural city in the world by Skyscanner.
  • The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was singled out by Skyscanner as one of the city's most important cultural offerings.
    The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was singled out by Skyscanner as one of the city's most important cultural offerings.
  • The mosque looks just as beautiful at night, and warrants a return trip to see it from a different perspective.
    The mosque looks just as beautiful at night, and warrants a return trip to see it from a different perspective.
  • Louvre Abu Dhabi is just one insitution that's helped Abu Dhabi make it to the top of the world's most cultural cities.
    Louvre Abu Dhabi is just one insitution that's helped Abu Dhabi make it to the top of the world's most cultural cities.
  • Kayak tours of Louvre Abu Dhabi were launched earlier this year, and Skyscanner says this is an "experience to remember".
    Kayak tours of Louvre Abu Dhabi were launched earlier this year, and Skyscanner says this is an "experience to remember".
  • The poll made special mention of the architecture, which was designed by Pritzker-winning French architect Jean Nouvel.
    The poll made special mention of the architecture, which was designed by Pritzker-winning French architect Jean Nouvel.
  • The Louvre Abu Dhabi also warrants a trip at night.
    The Louvre Abu Dhabi also warrants a trip at night.
  • The article also made special mention of the Abu Dhabi National Theatre. Antonie Robertson / The National.
    The article also made special mention of the Abu Dhabi National Theatre. Antonie Robertson / The National.
  • Inaugurated in 1981, the National Theatre has an impressive 2,250-seat auditorium that hosts plays, movie screenings, conferences and exhibitions.
    Inaugurated in 1981, the National Theatre has an impressive 2,250-seat auditorium that hosts plays, movie screenings, conferences and exhibitions.
  • Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest and most significant building in Abu Dhabi, wasn't mentioned in the Skyscanner poll, but is worth a visit.
    Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest and most significant building in Abu Dhabi, wasn't mentioned in the Skyscanner poll, but is worth a visit.
  • Shish Shawerma, near the Corniche, was singled out as local fare to experience.
    Shish Shawerma, near the Corniche, was singled out as local fare to experience.

UAE

New Abu Dhabi residents office to attract overseas talent

Officials will handle services for 'golden visa' applications and enquiries about living in the city

The National

July 07, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi has launched a new service that will offer guidance to foreign talent looking to move to the emirate, including opportunities to secure a long-term golden visa.

Abu Dhabi Residents Office will streamline existing programmes and opportunities.

It will also carry out research and hold regular engagement activities to better understand the needs of non-Emiratis.

Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added), which will oversee the new division, said the new body will further boost the emirate's position as a popular destination to live and work.

“We will be focusing on greater access to information, processing golden visas and other long-term residency options, and most importantly, understanding the needs of our residents so that we can work across Abu Dhabi to ensure that together we are always growing and enabling the population here to thrive," said Sameh Al Qubaisi, executive director of the executive affairs office at Added.

Abu Dhabi is home to more than 2.2 million non-Emiratis representing more than 200 nationalities.

The emirate has been ranked as the world's safest city for five consecutive years, according to Numbeo's Quality of Life index, and has been recognised as the world’s leading city for its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Deep Knowledge Group.

The emirate was also ranked the world's fifth most preferred place of work for foreign citizens in 2021, by the Boston Consulting Group and The Network.



War on waste
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

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

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. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

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. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

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

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

While you're here
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

WHAT%20ARE%20THE%20PRODUCTS%20WITHIN%20THE%20THREE%20MAJOR%20CATEGORIES%3F
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20materials%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20specifically%20engineered%20to%20exhibit%20novel%20or%20enhanced%20properties%2C%20that%20confer%20superior%20performance%20relative%20to%20conventional%20materials%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20components%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20includes%20semiconductor%20components%2C%20such%20as%20microprocessors%20and%20other%20computer%20chips%2C%20and%20computer%20vision%20components%20such%20as%20lenses%20and%20image%20sensors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20products%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20includes%20personal%20electronics%2C%20smart%20home%20devices%20and%20space%20technologies%2C%20along%20with%20industry-enabling%20products%20such%20as%20robots%2C%203D%20printing%20equipment%20and%20exoskeletons%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Strategy%26amp%3B%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

Dhadak

Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

Stars: 3

E-cigarettes report
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50

Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)

The specs

Price: From Dh180,000 (estimate)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 320hp @ 5,700rpm

Torque: 400Nm @ 2,200rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.7L / 100km

The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio

Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)

Engine 4.7L V8

Transmission Six-speed automatic

Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm

Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km

Updated: July 07, 2021, 3:51 PM