From game-changing actual property traits to main authorities updates throughout the UAE and Saudi Arabia, this week’s high tales are shaping the area’s enterprise and life-style panorama.
Whether or not you’re planning your subsequent vacation, exploring funding alternatives, or monitoring coverage adjustments, we’ve received you coated.
Atone for 10 of the largest information tales this week, as chosen by Arabian Enterprise editors.
UAE Nationwide Day 2025: Will there be a five-day weekend? Anticipated dates revealed
UAE Nationwide Day is formally marked on December 2 and three annually. In 2025, these dates fall on a Tuesday and Wednesday.
Whereas the UAE authorities has not but confirmed any prolonged break, residents might count on Monday, December 1 to be a further time without work, making it a five-day weekend.
Fee-free apps problem Dubai actual property brokers as direct buyer-seller fashions rise
This shift mirrors how on-line reserving companies disrupted the journey company trade over a decade in the past. Some imagine the actual property trade is now dealing with its journey company second.
“We’re not approaching disruption, we’re already in it,” stated Ainsley Duncombe, founding father of Off Market Itemizing Dubai and a 17-year veteran of the emirate’s property scene. “Assume again to the journey trade. How usually do individuals nonetheless use conventional journey brokers? That very same transformation is already underway in actual property.”
UAE summer season 2025: Visa-free journey locations for Indian passport holders from Dubai
Indian passport holders residing within the UAE have entry to a variety of visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and e-visa locations in summer season 2025.
Indian passport holders in Dubai are suggested to substantiate entry necessities with official embassy or consulate sources earlier than reserving journey, as visa guidelines might change with out prior discover.
Dubai actual property: Traders can quickly purchase, promote property below new DLD, Crypto.com deal
Dubai real estate investors may soon be able to buy and sell property using digital currencies like Bitcoin, following a brand new partnership between Dubai Land Division (DLD) and Crypto.com.
DLD, in partnership with Crypto.com, will develop a digital funding atmosphere for digital actual property belongings and discover blockchain applied sciences and digital currencies throughout the sector.
The settlement follows the Dubai Authorities’s announcement of plans to allow cost of presidency charges utilizing digital currencies, representing a step ahead in integrating know-how with public companies and reinforcing the emirate’s management in authorities innovation.
Saudi Arabia pronounces new work allow system for expats
The brand new classification system divides expat staff within the kingdom into three talent classes: high-skill, expert, and fundamental.
Minister Ahmed Al-Rajhi introduced the choice, which goals to boost employee efficiency and appeal to world expertise to switch experience and expertise to the Saudi labour market.
Dubai actual property costs climb in H1 2025 as villas surge as much as 11% and ROI hits 11% in key communities
Based on a market report from Bayut and dubizzle, the emirate’s actual property sector is coming into a extra mature, data-driven section, the place long-term worth, transparency, and trusted insights are shaping purchaser and vendor selections.
Within the prepared gross sales phase, villa costs in Dubailand surged by as much as 10.4 per cent, pushed by demand for bigger, reasonably priced properties. Different high-performing communities included Dubai South, DAMAC Hills 2, and Dubai Sports activities Metropolis.
Saudi cupboard approves regulation on property possession by non-citizens
The Saudi Arabian Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, approved an updated law regulating property ownership by non-Saudis. The regulation goals to develop the actual property sector and encourage overseas direct funding.
The brand new regulation permits possession within the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah, albeit with particular necessities, and comes into impact from January 2026.
The cupboard choice mandates the Actual Property Basic Authority with the accountability for proposing the areas inside which non-Saudis might personal actual property or purchase different property rights. The authority will publish the manager laws of the regulation on the Istitaa public survey platform and search viewpoints and recommendations of the general public inside 180 days of its publication within the official Umm Al-Qura Gazette.
Dubai’s RTA launches trials for driverless automobiles
The trials are scheduled to start later this yr, with plans to launch a completely driverless business service in 2026.
Pony.ai just lately unveiled the seventh technology of its autonomous automobiles, developed collectively with automotive producers together with Toyota, GAC, and BAIC. The corporate’s automobiles characteristic synthetic intelligence algorithms and sensors, together with lidars, radars, and cameras, designed to make sure navigation and security throughout street and climate circumstances.
UAE denies lifetime Golden Visa claims
The Federal Authority for Id, Citizenship, Customs and Port Safety (ICP) denied the accuracy of rumours circulated by some native and worldwide media shops and web sites concerning the granting of lifetime Golden Visas to sure nationalities.
ICP clarified that the classes, circumstances, and laws of the Golden Visa are clearly outlined in accordance with official legal guidelines, legislations, and ministerial selections.
UAE flight cancellations: Emirates pronounces journey replace
Till July 17, Emirates is not going to fly to and from Tehran citing “operational causes” in its newest journey replace.
The airline introduced the extension on July 8, marking the newest in a sequence of suspensions which have affected the route since mid-June as a result of regional tensions.