The 26 instruments issued for Dubai in the Polaris Legal Library — laws, decisions and regulations summarised from the official text with status, key provisions and penalties.
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GDRFA Dubai Service: Issuing a Golden Residence Permit (Entrepreneurs)
Dubai's rule page for the entrepreneur Golden residence: a registered pioneering project earning AED 1 million a year, an incubator or Ministry-backed project earning AED 2 million, or a project sold for at least AED 7 million, plus a nomination letter from the Dubai Future Foundation; ten-year permit, fees from AED 1,100, five working days.
GDRFA Dubai Service: Issuing an Entry Visa for Residence without Work – Family Sponsorship
Dubai's service card for sponsoring family: a resident sponsor needs a salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus housing; a business partner's share must be at least AED 48,000; sons can be sponsored to age 25; attested marriage and birth certificates are required; the 60-day entry visa costs AED 200 plus VAT and issues in 48 hours.
Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025 Concerning Dubai International Financial Centre Courts
Consolidates the DIFC Courts' constitution and jurisdiction into one Dubai law: Court of Appeal, Courts of First Instance and Small Claims Tribunal, exclusive jurisdiction over DIFC bodies and establishments, opt-in jurisdiction by express written agreement, an Enforcement Judge and enforcement of foreign judgments and awards. Supersedes DIFC Law No. 10 of 2004 and Dubai Law No. 12 of 2004.
Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2025 Regulating the Conduct of Free Zone Establishments' Activities within the Emirate of Dubai
Issued 3 March 2025, allows establishments licensed in Dubai free zones to operate in the mainland through a DET branch licence or temporary permit, sets annual fees, subjects them to local legislation, audits and penalties, and gives existing operators one year (extendable once) to comply; in force on Gazette publication.
Law No. (7) of 2024 Amending Law No. (5) of 2009 Establishing the Meydan City Corporation
Replaces Articles 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11 of the 2009 law: confirms Meydan City, including a free zone, under the wholly government-owned Meydan City Corporation, empowers it to determine permitted activities, issue licensing rules, register, license, audit and inspect establishments, delegate functions to Dubai Holding and borrow; in force on issue.
Law No. (6) of 2023 Establishing the Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation
Establishes a corporation affiliated with the Department of Economy and Tourism to streamline business registration and licensing in Dubai, introducing a Unified Business Number and a central database of economic establishments that includes free zone companies; in force on Gazette publication.
Law No. 4 of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets in the Emirate of Dubai
Establishes the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) as a public corporation affiliated with the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority and empowers it to license, regulate and supervise virtual asset activities and service providers across all zones of the Emirate, including special development zones and free zones, but excluding the DIFC. Effective on publication in the Official Gazette.
Dubai Law No. 5 of 2021 Concerning the Dubai International Financial Centre
Replaces Dubai Law No. 9 of 2004 as the governing statute of the DIFC: it confirms the Centre's financial and administrative independence, creates the President and Higher Board, and sets the mandates of the DIFC Authority, the DFSA and the DIFC Courts, with the DFSA alone regulating financial services.
Law No. (16) of 2021 Establishing the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority
Creates the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZA), owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, as legal successor to the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority and Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority, overseeing those zones and granting licensees a renewable 50-year exemption from taxes and capital-transfer restrictions; in force 1 January 2022.
Law No. (20) of 2021 Establishing the Department of Economy and Tourism in the Emirate of Dubai
Creates the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism as the government department that plans, regulates and promotes the Emirate's economy and tourism, transferring the functions, staff and budgets of the former Department of Economic Development and DTCM; in force on Gazette publication.
Law No. (3) of 2020 Concerning the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Dubai law of 14 February 2020 constituting the DMCC Authority as supervisor of the DMCC free zone with power to set licensing rules and register and inspect businesses; permits companies and sole proprietorships owned by UAE or foreign nationals with a renewable 50-year tax exemption and customs relief. In force on Gazette publication.
Law No. (6) of 2019 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai
Governs ownership, management and maintenance of jointly owned buildings and plots: common areas and units, owners committees, service and usage charges, title documents, insurance and disputes before the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre; replaces Law No. 27 of 2007 and takes effect 60 days after Gazette publication.
Law No. (10) of 2015 Concerning the Dubai Aviation City Corporation
Re-establishes the Dubai Aviation City Corporation, the authority behind the Dubai South (Dubai World Central) free zone, as a commercially managed public body, sets its objectives and governance and provides the free zone's customs and tax exemptions while limiting application of certain municipal and economic-department rules; in force on Gazette publication.
Decree No. 43 of 2013 On Determining the Increase in the Real-Estate Rentals in the Emirate of Dubai
Caps rent increases on renewal by reference to the average market rent: no increase where the rent is up to 10% below market, rising through bands of 5%, 10% and 15% to a maximum 20% where the rent is more than 40% below market; effective on its issue date of 18 December 2013.
Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai
Makes health insurance compulsory for nationals, residents and visitors in Dubai. Employers must insure workers at their own cost, may not pass it on, and must keep cover valid; a policy is required to issue or renew residence permits. Fines run from AED 500 to 150,000, doubled for repeat offences. Implemented by DHA Administrative Resolution No. 78 of 2022.
Law No. (13) of 2011 Regulating the Conduct of Economic Activities in the Emirate of Dubai
Framework for licensing economic activities in Dubai: permitted legal forms, licence terms and renewals, penalties, and the position of free zone companies, which are outside the definition of Business but may be authorised by the economic department to operate and open branches in Dubai; in force on Gazette publication.
Executive Council Resolution No. (6) of 2010 Approving the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Real Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai
Implementing bylaw of the interim register law: off-plan sales made before project approval and Land Department registration are void, and a developer may terminate a defaulting purchaser's contract after 30 days' notice and retain a percentage of payments depending on project completion; in force on issue.
Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai
Requires off-plan sales and other dispositions of real property to be recorded in an Interim Property Register before transfer to the main Register, voids unregistered transactions, and obliges developers to hold the land and obtain approvals before selling off-plan and to register completed units in purchasers' names; in force on Gazette publication.
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai
Replaces Articles 2, 3, 4, 9, 13, 14, 15, 25, 26, 29 and 36 of the tenancy law: twelve months' notice through a notary public or registered mail for end-of-lease evictions, 90 days' notice to change renewal terms including rent, and tribunal power to set fair rent by reference to RERA criteria; in force on Gazette publication.
Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai
Framework for leasing property in Dubai: contract requirements and RERA registration, rent increase limits, grounds and notice for eviction, duties of landlords and tenants, subletting and the dispute tribunal; takes effect 60 days after Gazette publication and is amended by Law No. 33 of 2008.
Law No. (8) of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development in the Emirate of Dubai
Requires developers selling off-plan units to be registered and licensed and to deposit buyers' payments in a separate escrow account per project managed by an accredited agent, with a 5% retention after completion, depositor protection if a project stalls and penalties for breach; in force on Gazette publication.
Law No. (7) of 2006 Concerning Real Property Registration in the Emirate of Dubai
Makes the Land Department the sole registrar of real property rights in Dubai and gives the Property Register conclusive effect absent fraud; Article 4 limits ownership to UAE and GCC nationals and their companies, while non-UAE nationals may hold freehold or up to 99-year leasehold rights in areas designated by the Ruler.
Regulation No. (3) of 2006 Determining Areas for Ownership by Non-UAE Nationals of Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai
Designates, by plot number across 23 Dubai areas shown on Land Department maps, where non-UAE nationals may hold freehold ownership without time limit or usufruct and leasehold rights up to 99 years, with one Nad Al Sheba plot limited to usufruct or leasehold; in force on Gazette publication.
Dubai Law No. 12 of 2004 in respect of the Judicial Authority at Dubai International Financial Centre (as amended by Law No. 16 of 2011)
The former Judicial Authority Law that gave the DIFC Courts exclusive jurisdiction over civil and commercial matters connected with the Centre and, after the 2011 amendment, allowed any parties to opt in by a specific written agreement. Superseded by Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025; listed by DIFC under Past Dubai Laws.
Law No. (1) of 2001 Establishing the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation
Establishes the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation as the public corporation supervising Dubai Customs and the free zone authorities, including JAFZA, approving their budgets and coordinating their activities; the Jafza Rules and Offshore Companies Regulations are issued by its Chairman under this law; in force on Gazette publication.
Decree No. (1) of 1985 Establishing the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority
Creates the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority as a legal entity of the Government of Dubai based at Jebel Ali Port, with power to supervise the free zone, issue regulations and licences, managed by a board of three to five members appointed by the Ruler; effective on issue.
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