Latest: Abu Dhabi schools to extend distance learning for a week at least
Distance learning will be extended for a further week at government schools and universities in the UAE, the authorities said on Wednesday.
Hazza Al Mansouri, spokesman for the education sector, said pupils would continue to study remotely from Monday, January 17 through to Friday, January 21.
Private schools in the Northern Emirates often follow suit.
Mr Al Mansoori said all exams requiring attendance for schools and universities would be postponed until after Friday January 28.
The measures were set out in a coronavirus briefing held by the government.
The authorities previously announced public schools would switch to remote learning for the first two weeks of term.
National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority decisions typically apply to Abu Dhabi and are followed by the Northern Emirates. Schools in Dubai and Sharjah, which have their own private education regulators, are not affected by such decisions.
The Abu Dhabi authorities also approved an extension of remote learning for public and private schools for one week, from January 17.
They said the decision had been made to "enable all education facilities to be fully prepared for a safe return for students".
"The decision applies to all public and private schools in the emirate, as well as universities, colleges and training institutes," the authority said.
On Monday, Abu Dhabi's private education regulator polled parents about the prospect of continuing remote learning "for the next few weeks".
“Knowing that you will have the option to change your mind and send your children physically to school after January 31, which learning option do you prefer for the coming few weeks?”, parents were asked in the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge survey.
Options included distance learning, an alternating week mode – one week at school, one week distance learning – a staggered return of age groups one week apart, and a full physical return to classrooms.
During the briefing, Noura Al Ghaithi, a government health spokeswoman, stressed the importance of receiving a third booster shot against Covid-19.
She urged eligible members of the public to receive the additional dose to safeguard their health and that of others, particularly the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
She said the booster campaign was central to protecting public and bolstering efforts to reach herd immunity.
The UAE has overseen one the world's most robust vaccination drives.
Close to 23 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered to date, with more than 92 per cent of the public receiving two doses.
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Company%20Profile
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Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
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Daniella Weiss and Nachala
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Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
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Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
