The UAE's Sixty Four Annual Report confirmed that 2024 was a landmark year for regulatory reform across the Emirates. From employment contracts and investor visas to road safety and environmental protection, the government introduced a raft of changes affecting residents, businesses, and investors alike. Here is a comprehensive overview of the key UAE new regulations in 2024.
Notice Period Rules
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) updated the rules governing contract cancellation notice periods. Both employers and employees retain the right to dissolve an employment contract, provided they act within its agreed provisions. Under the updated framework, notice periods in the UAE now range from 30 to 90 days, and employees must fulfil their full working commitments throughout that period.
Golden Visa Property Requirements
In early 2022, Dubai revised the conditions for the 10-year Golden Visa to stimulate the real estate sector — and those changes continued to shape investor behaviour in 2024. A property investor can now qualify for the Golden Visa by investing in property valued at AED 2 million or above, regardless of payment method. There is no mandatory down payment, and the property does not need to be a new construction.
Ban on E-Scooters on Public Transport
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) prohibited the carrying or riding of e-scooters on Metro and Tram services from 1 March 2024. The ban was introduced to improve overall transport safety across Dubai.
Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags
Dubai's prohibition on single-use plastic bags, which came into force on 1 June 2019, remained in effect throughout 2024. Limited exceptions apply to packaging for certain food items. The regulation is part of the emirate's broader push to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
Paid Parking at Dubai Mall
Salik, in partnership with Emaar Malls, announced that paid parking at Dubai Mall would be implemented by Q3 2024. The system uses automatic licence plate recognition to process payments, removing the need for manual ticketing.
New Telemarketing Rules
The UAE introduced tighter regulations on unsolicited phone-based marketing to protect consumer privacy. Penalties for violations can reach Dh 150,000 and may include restrictions on daily call volumes and requirements to use local UAE telephone numbers.
Emiratisation Targets Expanded
The UAE expanded the scope of its Emiratisation policy in 2024, extending targets to private-sector companies employing between 20 and 49 workers — covering more than 12,000 companies across 14 key economic sectors. Affected companies are required to hire at least one Emirati employee in 2024 and a second by 2025.
Labour Law Amendments
Amendments to Federal Law No. 20 of 2023 on labour relations were introduced to strengthen the competitiveness of the UAE labour market. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation now plays a central role in overseeing arbitration and other dispute-resolution mechanisms for private-sector labour contracts.
Ban on Heavy Vehicles
In a move to improve road safety, the UAE banned vehicles with a maximum total weight exceeding 65 tonnes from public roads. The restriction is part of a wider effort to upgrade transportation standards across the country.
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These regulatory shifts reflect the UAE's commitment to building a competitive, sustainable, and well-governed business environment — balancing investor-friendly policies with stronger protections for workers and consumers.
