Illuminating Dubai's Business World

Balancing Ambition with Compliance: Your Guide to Launching a Legal Side Business in the UAE In today’s fast-paced world, having a single income stream is rarely enough—especially for professionals with entrepreneurial aspirations. If you're working full-time in the UAE and dreaming of starting a side business, you're not alone. The good news? It’s possible. But there’s a catch: you must follow the legal route to avoid fines, visa issues, or even a labor ban. Here’s what you need to know to do it the right way. stay updated, subscribe our whatsapp channel ✅ 1. Know the Legal Requirements First While the UAE supports entrepreneurship, residents working under a full-time employment visa must seek formal approvals before launching any side business. This is to ensure there's no conflict of interest with your current employer and that you remain compliant with local laws. 📝 2. Get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Your Employer The most crucial document? A No Obje...

  In a major move under the UAE’s Markhoos digital governance initiative, the Ministry of Interior has relaxed driving license rules. Citizens of 52 eligible countries can now: Drive as visitors in the UAE using their valid home-country driving license—no local tests or International Driving Permits (IDPs) required. Swap into a UAE license if they hold valid residency, passing only health screenings—not theory or road testing.   🌍 Who Are These 52 Nationalities? Included in the expanded list are countries widely spanning: North America : USA, Canada Europe : UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, Portugal and more Asia & Oceania : Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea*, China, Hong Kong Others : South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Azerbaijan, Belarus Plus : Texas (listed separately due to state-level agreement)   * Note: So...

    The UAE business landscape is evolving fast, and compliance with Corporate Tax regulations is now more important than ever. But here’s some good news you don’t want to miss: If you haven’t registered for Corporate Tax yet, you still have time to avoid a hefty AED 10,000 late registration penalty— but the deadline is July 31, 2025 . This is your final window to act and save.  Stay Updated, Follow us on WhatsApp   💼 What’s the Update? The UAE Ministry of Finance has announced a limited-time waiver on the AED 10,000 Corporate Tax registration penalty— but only if you complete your registration and file your return by July 31, 2025 . Businesses that miss this cut-off will be liable for the full penalty amount. This is a golden opportunity to secure compliance, avoid fines, and stay ahead of your financial obligations. ✅ Why Choose GRG for Your Corporate Tax Filing? At GRG, we’re committed to helping businesses like yours stay compliant and avoid unnecessar...

    In a landmark step towards regional integration and tourism development, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is preparing to introduce a unified tourist visa that will allow seamless travel across all six member states — United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain . This strategic initiative, announced by GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi , marks a significant shift in the Gulf’s approach to tourism, drawing comparisons with the European Union’s Schengen visa system. The visa is expected to launch soon as part of the Gulf Tourism Strategy 2023–2030 , a regional plan designed to boost tourism, simplify travel processes, and strengthen the Gulf’s position as a world-class travel destination. What Is the GCC Unified Tourist Visa? The GCC unified tourist visa will allow travelers to enter and move freely between all six Gulf countries using a single visa , eliminating the need for separate entry permits. This Schengen-style system is poised ...