Free zones in UAE Exempted from VAT

The Federal Tax Authority on Wednesday posted an unofficial translation of Cabinet Decision No. (59) of 2017 on Designated Zones for the purposes of the Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax [VAT].

The post states that the UAE’s Cabinet, under its authority, has added the following free zones to the FTA’s list of Designated Zones. These Designated Zones are outside the UAE for VAT purposes and therefore are not subject to VAT in the UAE for products and services.

Here's the complete list of Designated Zones as per the Annex to the Cabinet Decision No (59) of 2017 No. Designated Zones.

Abu Dhabi

1. Free Trade Zone of Khalifa Port

2. Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone

3. Khalifa Industrial Zone

Dubai

4. Jebel Ali Free Zone (North-South)

5. Dubai Cars and Automotive Zone (DUCAMZ)

6. Dubai Textile City

7. Free Zone Area in Al Quoz

8. Free Zone Area in Al Qusais

9. Dubai Aviation City

10. Dubai Airport Free Zone

Sharjah

11. Hamriyah Free Zone

12. Sharjah Airport International Free Zone

Ajman

13. Ajman Free Zone

No. Designated Zones (Umm Al Quwain)

14. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone in Ahmed Bin Rashid Port

15. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone on Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road

Ras Al Khaimah

16. RAK Free Trade Zone

17. RAK Maritime City Free Zone

18. RAK Airport Free Zone

Fujairah

19. Fujairah Free Zone

20. FOIZ (Fujairah Oil Industry Zone)

Good conduct Certificate mandatory for UAE work visa from Feb 4th 2018

Expatriates applying for a job in the UAE must first obtain a certificate of good conduct in order to be issued a work permit, a UAE government body has announced. The new rule will take effect from February 4, 2018.

The official news agency WAM reported on Monday that the UAE Coordination Committee approved a Cabinet Resolution issued in 2017 stipulating that expatriates who apply for work visa in the UAE must first obtain a certificate of good conduct — issued by either by his home country or the country where he lived for five years.

The certificate must then be attested by UAE diplomatic missions, or oversees Customer Happiness Centers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The committee, which consists of members representing relevant UAE government bodies, said the move comes as part of efforts to create a safer society.

The rule also stems from the UAE’s belief in the importance of protecting community members and ensuring that they enjoy a safe life, making the UAE as one of the most secure countries in the world.

The committee clarified that the certificate is not required from those who come to the country on a visit or tourist visa.

Travel to UAE with these Medicines land up you in Trouble

Travelers coming to UAE with controlled medicines or even prescribed medicines beyond the quantity required for their personal use can face punitive action.

The list in the annexures of the guidelines includes sedatives that are found in popular cough syrups available in the Indian subcontinent such as codeine, pseudoephiderine and pholcodine among others, according to guidelines circular issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

Social workers working closely with blue-collar workers say sometimes out of sheer ignorance, people carry cough syrups and painkillers containing these banned substances and have had to face arrest and deportation. Punitive action will be taken against violators depending on the quantity or the banned medicines.

The circular, referencing Pharmacy law No. 4 of 1983 and Narcotics Law No. 14 of 1995, cautions travellers entering the UAE against bringing in controlled or psychotropic medicines and narcotics that may be available easily in the country of origin but might be included in the control list in the UAE.

Travellers to the UAE are advised to consult the detailed list of the banned medicines and drug schedule and seek permission to carry these from the Registration and Drug Control Department of the ministry prior to the commencement of the journey.

The circular further states that any personal medicines will be subject to inspection by the ministry’s inspectors and the customs department at the port of entry in the UAE.

In case of controlled medicines for personal use, both travellers to the UAE and those transiting through the country have to carry a valid medical prescription from the country of origin. In case the original prescription is not available, travellers are advised to carry attested prescription. For those terminating their journey in the UAE, an additional authenticated certificate or permit from the relevant health authority is also required.

Full list of restricted medicines in the UAE

Top 20 medicines on the narcotics, psychotropic and controlled list

1. Alpha- Methylfentanyl: Prohibited
2. Betamethadol: Narcotic
3. Cannabis: Prohibited
4. Codoxime: Narcotic
5. Concentration of poppy straw: Prohibited
6. Fentanyl: Narcotic
7. Methadone: Narcotic
8. Morphine: Narcotic
9. Opium: Narcotic
10. Oxycodone: Narcotic
11. Phenoperidine: Narcotic
12. Trimeperidine: Narcotic
13. Ketamine: Psychotropic
14. Codeine: Narcotic
15. Cathinone: Prohibited
16. Amphetamine: Psychotropic
17. Pentobarbital: Psychotropic
18. Bromazepam: Psychotropic
19. Risperidone: Controlled Drug A
20. Tramadol: Controlled Drug A