The UAE is rolling out several important changes this July that could impact every aspect of your daily life, from visa-free travel rules to how you work or run a business.

Planning a summer trip? There are new visa rules you might want to know. Running a business? Emiratisation deadlines are here. And if you want to quit cigarettes, you will want to check the latest tobacco-free nicotine pouches that will be available soon.

From health regulations to flexible work options and public health updates — here’s a quick and easy guide to what’s changing this month and how it might affect you.

Armenia will offer visa-free entry to residents of the UAE starting July 1. Travellers’ residency visas must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Previously, only UAE nationals could travel visa-free to the landlocked country, while residents were eligible for a visa on arrival.

The new visa-free policy enables travel for tourism, leisure, or business purposes without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It applies to all passport holders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and to individuals holding a valid residency permit issued by any of the six Gulf countries.

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Private sector companies employing 50 or more workers have until Monday, July 1, 2025, to meet the mid-year Emiratisation targets. According to a final reminder issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), companies to ensure that at least 1 per cent of their skilled workforce comprises Emiratis for the first half of the year, part of the UAE’s strategic national plan to increase Emirati participation in the private sector.

Mohre will also check whether companies are meeting other related requirements, including registering Emirati employees with the social security fund and consistently paying the required contributions.

Starting July 1, government employees in Dubai will shift to a four-day work week or reduced summer hours under the ‘Our Flexible Summer’ initiative. The initiative aims to improve work-life balance and productivity, and it will run until September 12, 2025.

Employees will be divided into two groups, with the first group expected to work eight hours from Monday to Thursday and enjoy Friday as a full holiday. Meanwhile, the second group will work seven hours from Monday to Thursday and 4.5 hours on Friday.

This is not the first time such an initiative has been announced. Last year, the Dubai government launched the campaign at 21 government entities from August 12 to September 30.

Ajman will implement a new summer work policy for government employees this year, introducing remote work on Fridays and shortened weekly office hours, effective from July 1 to August 22, 2025, on Mondays.

All public sector employees in the emirate will work remotely on Fridays, with weekday hours reduced by one hour. Employees will work from 7.30am to 2.30pm, Monday through Thursday. However, government entities have been directed to implement flexible internal arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential public services.

A new UAE law coming into effect on July 29 will legalise the sale of tobacco-free nicotine pouches. The pouches are small, smokeless products that contain nicotine but no tobacco is being introduced to support individuals looking to quit smoking.

Nicotine is an addictive substance. These pouches release dopamine, the ‘feel-good hormone’, which helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, thereby aiding smoking cessation.

Dubai has enacted a new law to curb the spread of infectious diseases that will come into effect in late July. It aims to minimise health risks by controlling the spread of communicable diseases and regulating travel for individuals with such conditions. 

Individuals infected with or suspected of having an infectious disease are required to avoid contact that could spread the illness. They must refrain from travelling or moving, except to healthcare facilities, without the approval of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

The law also prohibits concealing infections or spreading them, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Schools in the UAE are gearing up for the long summer holidays, which typically begin in early July and last until the end of August. Most schools follow the academic calendar set by the Ministry of Education or respective educational authorities like KHDA (Dubai) and Adek (Abu Dhabi).

As schools across the UAE begin their long summer break, working parents often lookout for summer camps to keep their children productively engaged during the two-month holiday. With families staying in the country to avoid peak travel costs or work commitments, summer camps have become a vital solution, offering children a structured environment to learn new skills and stay active.

At the same time, many families also travel abroad to cooler climes, either to escape the sweltering summer heat or to spend time with relatives, making the most of the extended school break.

The UAE enforced a ban on outdoor work under direct sunlight from 12.30pm to 3pm daily for three months, starting June 15. This midday break initiative, introduced to protect workers during the country’s peak summer heat, will continue through July until September 15, 2025.

Companies found violating the rule face a fine of Dh5,000 per worker, up to a maximum of Dh50,000 if multiple workers are involved.



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