Emirates NBD starts temporary SME fee relief from April 2026
Emirates NBD launched its Business Support Package in April 2026 to help UAE SMEs manage operating costs and cash flow through fee relief and other economic support measures. The bank said the package is designed to help small and medium businesses manage day-to-day operations over the next few months.
The support is framed as short-term cost relief, including fee deferrals and other temporary reductions in banking-related charges. For SMEs, this can reduce immediate cash outflows tied to routine business banking activity during April 2026 and the following months.
Emirates NBD stated that the measures enhance the initiatives already introduced by the Dubai Government and the Central Bank of the UAE. This is important for SMEs striving to maintain liquidity while adhering to existing banking terms and payment schedules.
The package was positioned as a liquidity-boosting measure aimed at strengthening market resilience for small and medium-sized businesses.
Quick Intel
- Start date: The Business Support Package took effect on April 2026, per Emirates NBD.
- Who it targets: SMEs banking with Emirates NBD in the UAE, with direct relevance to Dubai-based firms due to Dubai Government alignment.
- What changes: Temporary fee deferrals and cost-relief measures aimed at lowering near-term banking costs over the next few months.
UAE SME owners should contact Emirates NBD to confirm eligibility, which fees are deferred versus reduced, and the exact end date of the temporary relief period.
Dubai World Trade Centre 2025 participants: New numbers
DWTC posts 2025 event scale: 3m participants, 401 events, 43% overseas
Dubai World Trade Centre 2025 participants reached nearly 3 million across 401 events in 2025, according to figures published today by DWTC and highlighted by the Government of Dubai Media Office. The update indicated that overseas attendees made up 43% of the total, reflecting significant inbound business travel associated with the venue's calendar year, with strong growth in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).
For companies selling to exhibitors and delegates, the 2025 pipeline was also driven by scale on the show floor: DWTC reported 63,000 exhibiting companies, up by 8% year on year increase with 78% classified as international. That mix matters for UAE-based SMEs because it increases the odds of cross-border buyer meetings, distributor talks, and export leads during major exhibitions and congresses hosted in Dubai.
According to a post published on the DWTC website, H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, stated, "2025 was a record year for DWTC, reflecting the resilience and maturity of Dubai's business events ecosystem and its ongoing contribution to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Strong participation and sustained international engagement across various industry sectors demonstrate the lasting economic value that business events generate for the emirate."
The exact figure pegged at 2.97 million attendees in 2025, representing a 12% year-on-year increase.
The 2025 numbers support the Government of Dubai Media Office message that Dubai remains a global business and events destination.
Quick Intel
- Scale (2025): Nearly 3,000,000 participants recorded across 401 DWTC events.
- International pull: 43% of attendees came from overseas, indicating strong inbound business travel volume.
- Exhibitor mix: 63,000 exhibiting companies took part, with 78% listed as international.
- Growth signal: Attendance was reported up 12% year-on-year in 2025.
Dubai World Trade Centre is projecting continued growth in 2026, with The Big 5 expected to attract more than 85,000 attendees.
Nafis Programme extended to 2040: What it means for jobs, hiring and families in the UAE
If you live in the UAE, the extension of the Nafis programme to 2040 is more than just a policy headline. It represents a significant shift in how private companies hire, how Emirati careers develop outside government roles, and how the labor market evolves over the next 15 years. The extension was announced by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, indicating that Emiratization support will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
The Nafis programme was extended until 2040 as part of a wider package of family-focused measures designed to strengthen social stability while accelerating Emiratisation in the private sector.
The Short Version
- Nafis, the federal Emiratization support package, has been extended until 2040, as announced by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
- The goal is to increase the Emirati workforce in private companies and make private sector jobs for Emiratis more attractive and sustainable.
- The longer timeline gives employers and jobseekers more certainty that incentives and support will not disappear after a short cycle.
- The extension includes a focus on Nafis support for Emirati mothers private sector, aimed at improving participation and retention.
Programme Overview
If you are looking for information on what Nafis UAE is, here is a straightforward explanation. Nafis is a federal Emiratization program that assists UAE nationals in securing private sector jobs and aids employers in hiring and retaining Emirati talent. It is part of a broader public-private workforce strategy that seeks to balance the traditional appeal of public-sector roles with increased private-sector involvement.
In everyday terms, the Emiratization Nafis initiative aims to reduce the challenges that can make private employment less appealing for Emiratis, such as pay expectations, benefits, or long-term career stability. It also encourages companies to approach Emiratization as a strategic talent plan rather than a last-minute HR effort.
What This Extension Means
A program extending to 2040 influences behavior. Emirati jobseekers can plan their careers with greater confidence, knowing that support will remain available as they progress from entry-level roles to specialist tracks and management. Families can make more informed long-term decisions regarding income stability, training, and career advancement.
For the broader labour market, Emiratization in the UAE extends beyond headcount. It impacts workplace culture, leadership development, and the sectors that achieve greater Emirati representation. Over time, this can affect roles that interact with customers and senior decision-making in major industries.
Private Sector Impact
For businesses, this is where the extension has the greatest impact. A longer Nafis runway encourages multi-year hiring plans, graduate programs, and internal training academies. It can also motivate companies to enhance their employee value proposition for Emirati talent by offering clearer promotion paths, improved mentoring, and more flexible working arrangements where roles permit.
It directly connects to UAE labor market policy. Employers who plan ahead spend less time dealing with crises and more time developing cohesive teams. This approach benefits productivity and human capital development in the UAE, particularly in sectors requiring specialized skills and continuity.
Support for Emirati Mothers
One of the clearest signals in the Sheikh Mansour Nafis 2040 announcement is the focus on Emirati mothers working in the private sector. The practical goal is retention.
Emirati mothers receiving workplace support helps retain skilled talent during crucial career years. This can gradually increase the number of Emirati women advancing into mid-to-senior roles in private companies, which in turn enhances mentoring, leadership depth, and representation.
Quick reference
| Item | What was announced | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Nafis (federal Emiratization initiative) | Supports Emirati workforce growth in private companies |
| Timeline | Extended until 2040 | Gives long-term certainty for jobseekers and employers |
| Announced by | Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Presidential Court | Signals high-level backing and policy continuity |
| Focus area | Support for Emirati mothers in the private sector | Improves participation and retention over time |
Next steps for residents and employers
- If you are Emirati and job hunting, shortlist private sector roles with clear training and progression, then ask directly what Nafis-linked support is available through your employer pathway.
- If you are an Emirati mother considering a move to the private sector, focus on roles with predictable scheduling options and documented HR policies on flexibility and return-to-work support.
- If you are an employer, treat 2040 as your planning horizon. Build a pipeline that starts with internships and graduate intake, then map training, mentoring, and promotion tracks so Emiratization is tied to retention, not just recruitment.
- If you are an expat manager, expect more Emirati colleagues across functions. The best teams will be the ones that invest early in onboarding, coaching, and fair performance pathways.
What this clearly indicates
The extended Nafis package introduced uncapped child allowances, expanding family support alongside employment incentives to make private-sector careers more sustainable for Emirati households.
The extension of Nafis to 2040 represents a long-term commitment to creating private sector jobs for Emiratis, supported at the highest level. It provides employers with greater certainty to invest in their workforce and offers Emirati families a clearer understanding of how private-sector careers can develop over decades rather than just a single contract cycle. For the UAE labor market, this is another step toward achieving a workforce where Emirati participation in private companies is normal, expected, and supported.
UAE Visa Status: How to check it online using your passport number in 2026
If you are holding a UAE visa or a residency permit, there is one question that tends to surface at the most inconvenient moments, right before a flight, during a job onboarding, or while renewing a tenancy contract: what is my UAE visa status right now? In 2026, the UAE has made that answer straightforward.
Any individual can perform an Online Check using a passport number through the federal ICP Smart Services portal without paying a dirham or needing an agent. This is important because checking visa validity in the UAE is essential. It is central to daily life for residents, visitors, employers, and families across every Emirate. The quickest way to avoid last-minute surprises is to verify your file directly through the same federal system used for UAE immigration records.
At a Glance: The Official Free Check for 2026
- Use the ICP Smart Services file validity page at Check Visa Status.
- Select “Passport Information”, enter your passport number UAE visa details, then click “Search”.
- This is the official federal method for UAE visa check 2026 and it is a free visa status UAE service.
- The same process applies across all Emirates under the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security.
The only official place to check: ICP Smart Services
For 2026 and beyond, the UAE’s federal route for checking visa status and visa validity UAE information online is the ICP Smart Services portal, operated by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security. If you are searching for “check UAE visa online” and you want the method that matches current federal procedures, this is it. The portal is built as part of the UAE’s Government Services ecosystem, and it is meant to be used directly by the public, including first time visitors and long term residents.
Use this exact page for the file validity check:
Before you start: what you need on hand
This Expat Guide step is simple, but it helps to pause for 20 seconds and gather the right passport information. The system is designed for quick verification, so you do not need to upload documents for this Online Check.
- Your Passport number exactly as printed in your passport
- A stable internet connection and a browser on phone or laptop
- A quiet moment to type carefully, since a single wrong character can return no results
Step by step: check UAE visa online using passport information
This is the streamlined, official process for checking UAE visa status online using a passport number in 2026.
- Open the ICP Smart Services file validity page: Check Visa Status Here (ICP website)
- On the page, choose “Passport Information”.
- Enter your passport number in the field provided.
- Click “Search” to view the status and validity details tied to your UAE visa or residency permit UAE record.
Cost check: It is free in 2026
Many people still expect a fee because older, informal guidance online can be confusing. The federal online service used for UAE visa status checks via ICP Smart Services is 100% free. If you are asked to pay by a third party website for a “visa status lookup,” you are not using the official Government Services channel.
What the result means for visa validity and residency permits
The file validity result is meant to help you confirm, in plain terms, whether your UAE visa or residency permit UAE record is valid and what its current status is. For residents, this can be the difference between a smooth renewal timeline and a stressful scramble. For visitors, it is a quick way to confirm that the visa record connected to your passport number is active before travel or onward processing.
Common mistakes that cause “no record found”
If the page does not return what you expect, it usually comes down to small input issues rather than a system problem. These checks help:
- Re enter the passport number carefully and confirm each character matches the passport.
- Confirm you selected “Passport Information” before searching.
- Try again on a different browser or device if the page does not load cleanly.
Quick reference table for the 2026 process
| Item | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Service | File validity check for UAE visa status and residency permit UAE records |
| Platform | ICP Smart Services (smartservices.icp.gov.ae) https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/default.html#/fileValidity |
| Lookup method | Passport Information using passport number UAE visa search |
| Cost | Free visa status UAE check |
| Coverage | All Emirates under federal UAE immigration procedures |
The bottom line for residents and visitors
If you need certainty about your UAE visa status in 2026, go straight to the ICP Smart Services portal and run the passport based Online Check. It is the official federal route, it is free, and it works across the country.
UAE Overstay Fine Waiver: ICP exempts delayed-departure penalties after regional airspace closures
The UAE has changed how it will treat immigration overstays linked to the recent Airspace closure and related Flight suspensions. The UAE overstay fine waiver, issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security, known as ICP, removes overstay and late-departure fines for travellers who could not leave the country on time because because of airspace closures triggered by exceptional regional circumstances or rescheduled beyond their control.
The decision was announced on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, and it applies to fines incurred on or after 28 February 2026. It is being implemented across UAE airports, with case handling and assistance routed through ICP channels, including Customer Happiness Centres, as the country manages ongoing travel disruptions .
Overstay fines can accumulate quickly and can complicate exit procedures and future UAE visas. By drawing a clear line for affected cases, ICP is signalling that people caught in involuntary overstays during the disruption period can regularise their status without financial penalties linked to the delay itself.
At a Glance: The ICP waiver for disrupted departures
- Authority: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP).
- What changed: Overstay and late-departure fines are waived for people unable to depart due to exceptional regional circumstances causing airspace closures and flight suspensions.
- Effective scope: Applies to fines incurred on or after 2026-02-28, following an announcement dated 2026-03-04.
- Who is covered: Visitors on visit visa and tourist visa, exit permit holders, and residents who cancelled residency permits in preparation for departure.
What this means for travellers in the UAE
Immigration compliance in the UAE is time-sensitive. A missed departure can shift a person from lawful stay to overstay status, triggering UAE visa fines and penalties and creating delays at airport immigration procedures. During large-scale disruption, including airspace closure UAE flights and sudden route cancellations, travellers can become involuntary overstayers despite holding valid bookings and intending to depart on time.
ICP's initiative addresses an operational issue by responding to specific ICP rules and announcements. It minimizes the risk of travelers being penalized for situations beyond their control and helps reduce congestion at service points by clarifying that affected cases can be managed without late-departure fines.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security stated: “The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security has decided to exempt individuals who were unable to travel from fines for delayed departures due to exceptional circumstances currently affecting the region, which led to the closure of airspace and the temporary suspension of a number of flights.”
Who is covered
ICP’s scope is explicit and broad enough to match common travel and offboarding scenarios. The waiver applies to visitors holding a visit visa and those on a tourist visa, which directly addresses the most common visit visa overstay fine UAE concern raised during flight disruption.
It also covers people holding an exit permit, a category that often intersects with time-limited departure requirements. For those searching for clarity on an exit permit fine UAE situation caused by cancellations, the announcement confirms that affected cases fall within the exemption where the delay stems from the exceptional regional circumstances.
One of the most significant inclusions is for residents who had already canceled their residency permits in preparation for departure. Canceling residency can create a brief period in which they must exit. If flights are suspended during this time, the risk of non-compliance increases rapidly. The waiver provides these residents with a clear path to regularize their legal status in the UAE without incurring fines related to the disruption period.
How UAE residents and businesses feel the impact
For residents and families, the policy reduces the chance of last-minute legal exposure when flights are suspended and rebooking costs are already mounting. For employers and travel operators, it can reduce urgent escalations linked to visa cancellations, exit planning, and passenger support, especially when multiple itineraries are being reworked at once.
It also provides a clearer operational baseline for airlines and ground handlers working with UAE airports during disruption, since travellers who would otherwise face penalties can proceed through compliance steps without the added barrier of accumulated fines linked to delayed departure.
Service continuity and where people get help
ICP announced that specialized teams are operating at the country's airports and Customer Happiness Centres under emergency and business continuity plans. These teams provide practical support for travelers at ICP Customer Happiness Centres, especially when cases need to be handled according to the waiver. This is particularly important when travel records, visa types, and the timing of cancellations affect processing.
For travellers seeking a tourist visa fine waiver UAE confirmation for their own circumstances, ICP’s guidance is to follow official channels for updates and regulatory measures related to the disruption.
ICP stated: “Specialised teams across the country’s airports and Customer Happiness Centres continue to operate in accordance with emergency and business continuity plans.”
Dates and scope at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announcing authority | Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) |
| Announcement date | 2026-03-04 |
| Fines covered from | 2026-02-28 (fines incurred on or after this date) |
| Reason | Exceptional regional circumstances leading to airspace closure and temporary flight suspensions |
| Support channels | UAE airports and Customer Happiness Centres |
What travellers should do next
The waiver applies to situations where travelers are unable to depart due to flight suspensions or rescheduling beyond their control. Affected individuals should keep their travel records and monitor ICP updates through official channels, especially if managing UAE visas in transition, such as residency cancellation or an exit permit process. When in-person assistance is required, Customer Happiness Centres remain part of the operational response.
As of today, April 6, 2026, the compliance message is straightforward. If the overstay or late-departure fines were incurred on or after 28 February 2026 and the delay is tied to the regional airspace disruption, ICP’s ICP overstay fines exemption sets the basis for handling the case without financial penalties linked to that delay.
Dubai Humanitarian Q1 2026: 171+ relief shipments, new data
Dubai Humanitarian logs 171+ relief shipments to 42 countries in Q1 2026
Dubai Humanitarian reported that its community dispatched more than 171 relief shipments to 42 countries in Q1 2026 (January–March 2026), according to a Dubai Media Office update posted on X and tagged to @DXBHumanitarian. During Q1 2026, Dubai Humanitarian dispatched 22.3 metric tonnes of medical aid to Gaza and Lebanon as part of its emergency-response operations.
Dubai Humanitarian is headquartered in Dubai and is described as the world’s largest humanitarian hub, hosting around 80 organisations and companies supporting international relief operations.
The Q1 2026 shipment count signals sustained outbound activity across multiple destinations, with logistics focused on emergency response needs, including medical aid shipments to crisis regions, as stated in the update.
Quick Intel
- Volume: 171+ relief shipments dispatched in Q1 2026 (Jan–Mar 2026).
- Reach: Shipments sent to 42 countries in the same quarter.
- Hub scale: Dubai Humanitarian is described as the world's largest humanitarian hub and hosts around 80 organisations and companies.
- Cargo type: Activity includes medical aid shipments supporting global emergency response efforts.
Dubai Humanitarian said the Q1 2026 movements formed part of its wider support for global humanitarian efforts, with relief cargo routed to dozens of destinations across its network.
