United Arab Emirates

The introduction of personal income tax in Oman marks a structural shift in the Sultanate’s fiscal landscape. For decades, Oman, like much of the GCC, has operated without personal income tax, allowing residents to hold local and international assets with limited tax friction.  That environment is now changing. While final regulations, thresholds, and implementation timelines are still being clarified, the direction of travel is clear: Omani residents will soon need to manage personal income tax exposure in a way that was previously unnecessary. Those who act early will have significantly more planning options than those who wait until legislation is fully in force. This article outlines how Omani residents should begin reviewing and restructuring their local and international assets, lawfully and compliantly, in anticipation of income tax. Why Early Restructuring Matters Once income tax rules are enacted, restructuring becomes reactive, constrained, and often more expensive. Prior to implementation, individuals retain flexibility to: Reorganise ownership structures Separate personal income from investment income Reposition assets geographically and legally Establish compliant holding and succession vehicles Early planning is not about avoiding tax, it is about ensuring tax efficiency, legal certainty, and long-term protection. Step One: Understand What May Become Taxable  Although final legislation is pending, international norms suggest that future Omani income tax may apply to: Employment and consultancy income Dividends and distributions Rental income Business profits Certain foreign-sourced income, depending on residency rules This makes asset location and ownership structure far more important than before. Rethinking Personal Ownership Structures  Many Omani residents currently hold assets personally, including: Overseas real estate Share portfolios Operating companies Family businesses Intellectual property Under an income tax regime, personal ownership can lead to: Annual taxable income exposure Reporting complexity Succession and estate complications Restructuring ownership, before income tax applies, can materially change outcomes. Separating Personal Income from Investment Assets A key principle of modern tax planning is segregation. Rather than receiving income personally, investors may consider: Holding assets through corporate or foundation structures Retaining profits at the holding-entity level Controlling the timing and nature of distributions This does not remove tax obligations, but it allows income to be managed, timed, and structured more efficiently. Using Foundations and Holding Vehicles Well-designed structures can play a central role in income tax planning. Foundations and Similar Vehicles: When used appropriately, foundations can: Separate personal wealth from income-producing assets Support long-term succession planning Provide clarity around beneficiary distributions Reduce fragmented personal income flows Corporate Holding Companies Holding companies can: Consolidate global investments Centralise dividend and rental income Facilitate reinvestment rather than forced distribution Support international tax coordination The suitability of each structure depends on the individual’s residency, asset mix, and family circumstances. Reviewing International Assets and Residency Exposure  Omani residents with overseas assets should conduct a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction review, including: Where income is generated Where assets are legally held How double-taxation treaties may apply Whether current structures create unintended reporting or tax exposure In many cases, assets were acquired under the assumption of zero personal income tax. That assumption must now be revisited. Succession Planning Takes on New Importance  Income tax often accelerates the need for clear succession planning. Without proper structuring, families may face: Ongoing income tax leakage across generations Fragmentation of asset ownership Cross-border probate and estate issues Restructuring now allows succession to be addressed before tax rules lock in future outcomes. What Omani Residents Should Do Now Before income tax legislation takes effect, residents should: Map all personal and international assets Identify income streams versus capital assets Review current ownership structures Model future income tax exposure Consider compliant restructuring options early This process should be conducted with legal, tax, and cross-border coordination, not in isolation. A Note on Compliance All restructuring should be: Fully compliant with Omani law Aligned with international tax standards Defensible under scrutiny Properly documented Aggressive or artificial arrangements create long-term risk. The objective is resilience, not short-term minimisation. How Knightsbridge Group Can Assist  Knightsbridge Group advises Omani residents, families, and entrepreneurs on pre-income-tax restructuring, including: Asset and income mapping Ownership and holding-structure design Foundation and succession planning Cross-border tax coordination Long-term wealth and residency planning Our approach is strategic, conservative, and designed to withstand future regulatory change. Final Thought Income tax in Oman is not a crisis, but it is a planning deadline. Those who restructure early retain control. Those who wait may find their options narrowed.

Panama has formally launched an enhanced Investor Programme designed to attract high-quality foreign capital, strengthen its position as a regional business hub, and offer internationally mobile investors a clear, regulated pathway to permanent residency and eventual citizenship. The programme combines Panama’s long-established territorial tax system, strategic geographic importance, and flexible residency requirements, making it an increasingly attractive option for investors seeking access to the Americas without full relocation.  Why Panama? Panama occupies a unique position in global trade and finance. As home to the Panama Canal, a non-substitutable global trade chokepoint handling approximately 5–6% of world maritime trade, the country plays a central role in international logistics and supply chains. In 2025 alone, canal revenues exceeded USD 5.7 billion, underscoring Panama’s economic resilience and strategic relevance. Key macro-economic and structural advantages highlighted in the programme include: A fully dollarised economy, aligned with US financial markets A territorial tax regime, with no tax on foreign-sourced income Strong GDP growth and low inflation A sophisticated banking and corporate services ecosystem Free trade agreements with the United States and multiple Latin American jurisdictions  Overview of the Panama Investor Programme  The Panama Investor Programme grants permanent residency through a fast-tracked process, with minimal physical presence requirements and a clearly defined route to citizenship.  Key Programme Features  Permanent residency granted through a streamlined application Minimal physical presence: one visit to Panama every two years Family inclusion, covering spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents Eligibility for Panamanian citizenship after five years of maintained investment and residency No requirement to reside in Panama during the application process  Investment Requirement Applicants must make a minimum qualifying investment of USD 300,000, with funds originating from abroad and supported by a clean criminal record. The programme is structured around government-approved investment options, primarily in real estate and hospitality developments, with investments held through regulated legal and fiduciary frameworks.  Approved Investment Structures  Trust-Based Safeguards (Fideicomiso) All qualifying investments are channelled through a licensed Panamanian trust structure, designed to protect both the investor and the project developer. The trust: Holds investor funds securely Releases capital in tranches based on contractual milestones Does not constitute a collective investment scheme or financing vehicle This structure enhances investor protection and regulatory transparency.  Investment Options Overview The programme currently features multiple real-estate-backed investment routes, including:  Option 1: Branded Hotel & Casino Co-Ownership Investment: USD 300,000 Co-ownership in a 5-star branded hotel and casino in Panama City No annual yield; guaranteed buy-back after five years Designed primarily to satisfy residency and citizenship eligibility  Option 2: Individually Owned Branded Suites Individual title deed ownership Rental income split with professional operator Estimated annual returns of 5–6% One month of personal use per year  Option 3: Luxury Residential Apartments Investment range: USD 300,000–450,000 Located in Santa María, one of Panama City’s most prestigious residential districts Full ownership with optional rental management Estimated returns of 3–5% annually  Pathway to Panamanian Citizenship After five years of continuous residency under the programme, investors become eligible to apply for Panamanian citizenship, subject to prevailing nationality laws and due diligence requirements.  Benefits of Panamanian Citizenship A top-30 ranked passport with visa-free access to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area Eligibility for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa No worldwide income tax by citizenship Right to live and work in Panama Access to Panama’s healthcare, education, and business environment  Strategic Considerations The Panama Investor Programme is particularly suitable for: Investors seeking Americas access without full relocation Families looking for tax-efficient, long-term mobility planning Entrepreneurs interested in US-linked trade and treaty opportunities Clients seeking a regulated, low-presence route to citizenship As with all residency and citizenship pathways, the programme should be integrated into a broader legal, tax, and asset-structuring strategy.  How Knightsbridge Group Can Assist Knightsbridge Group advises private clients and investors on: Panama residency and citizenship suitability assessments Investment structuring and legal due diligence Family inclusion and long-term succession planning Cross-border tax coordination Ongoing compliance and residency maintenance Our approach is strategic, compliant, and aligned with each client’s wider international objectives.

Starting in February 2026, the United Kingdom will introduce major changes to its travel entry requirements – affecting how visitors, dual citizens, and frequent travellers enter the country. These updates are among the most significant in decades and can affect travel planning, airline check-in procedures, and documentation requirements.  Key Change: “No Permission, No Travel” From 25 February 2026, the UK will fully enforce its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system – a digital pre-travel permission designed to streamline immigration checks and improve border security. Under this new regime: Most visa-free travellers (e.g., citizens of the United States, Canada, EU, Australia, and other eligible countries) must obtain an ETA before departure, even for short visits. Airlines, ferry operators, and rail carriers will deny boarding to travellers who do not hold an approved ETA or valid UK immigration status at check-in. An ETA is not a visa; it is a mandatory travel authorisation for eligible visitors. The timing and enforcement of this system are part of the UK Government’s broader plan to digitise its border controls, similar to systems such as the U.S. ESTA or Canada eTA.   What This Means for Different Travellers  1. Visa-Exempt Visitors If you currently enter the UK without a visa – for tourism, business, or short-term trips – you must secure an ETA before travel. This includes travellers from: United States Canada Australia New Zealand EU/EEA countries and several other eligible passport holders. The ETA application is digital and typically processed within days, but authorities recommend applying well in advance of travel to avoid disruptions.  2. British and Irish Citizens (Including Dual Nationals) British and Irish citizens are exempt from needing an ETA, as they do not require formal authorisation to enter the UK. However, the way their status is checked has changed: Dual British citizens (those holding another nationality as well as British citizenship) are now expected to travel on a British passport when entering the UK. Travelling on a foreign passport alone, even one that would normally permit visa-free travel, is no longer accepted because: Dual citizens cannot obtain an ETA with the foreign passport Carriers must confirm travel authorisation prior to boarding If they cannot demonstrate exemption, airlines may refuse boarding. Alternatively, British citizens can use a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in a foreign passport to prove their right to enter, although this is a less common and more expensive option.   3. Implications for Frequent and Business Travellers For regular travellers, global mobility teams, and organisations that send staff to the UK: Passport and travel document tracking becomes critical Travel policies must be updated to ensure valid ETAs are obtained before booking flights Expired passports or mismatched digital records can trigger boarding refusals or entry delays Companies and frequent flyers must ensure that documentation evidence clearly matches immigration status at the point of departure — not just at entry.  Why These Changes Matter  The enforcement of the ETA regime represents a shift from post-arrival checks to pre-departure screening. Previously, many carriers relied on later border checks to resolve eligibility questions. From February 2026, UK border policy will operate much more like the modern “no permission, no travel” systems seen in North America and parts of Asia. This means lawful status alone, such as having the legal right to enter the UK, is not enough unless it can be evidenced in an airline-verifiable format (passport, ETA, visa, or approved certificate).  Practical Steps for Travellers Here’s how to prepare for the new rules: Check if you need an ETA. Most visa-free nationalities do. Apply early through the official UK ETA portal, decisions can take up to a few days. Ensure your passport is valid and matches your ETA application. If you are a dual British citizen, travel using your British passport or obtain a Certificate of Entitlement. Check carrier requirements before booking, carriers will enforce airside checks from 25 February 2026.   What Has Not Changed While travel requirements and document checks are evolving: The legal right to enter the UK for British citizens has not changed Changes do not affect visa conditions for longer-term stays, work visas, or residence permits Irish citizens still enjoy Common Travel Area rights, but must use appropriate identity documents aligned with UK and Irish border requirements Final Thought The UK’s travel regime in 2026 reflects a global trend toward greater pre-departure screening and digital authorisation frameworks. For international travellers, dual citizens, and global mobile professionals, understanding and adapting to these changes now will avoid costly disruptions, denied boardings, or last-minute complications.

Dubai, UAE – 1 February– SAT & CO is pleased to announce the appointment of Emad Saad Elhabbak as Senior Legal Advisor, further strengthening the firm’s Dispute Resolution and Commercial Advisory capabilities. Emad brings over 25 years of experience in civil, commercial, and maritime law, including more than two decades in senior advisory roles at one of the UAE’s leading local practices. Throughout his career, Emad has advised individuals, corporations, and commercial institutions on complex matters, representing clients before courts at all levels, including the Courts of First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation. Known for his strong procedural expertise and strategic insight, he has led high-value litigation strategies, drafted and negotiated sophisticated commercial and shipping agreements, supported senior management with high-level legal guidance, and successfully managed technically complex disputes from initial assessment through to final judgment, enforcement, and alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and negotiated settlements. Emad’s appointment reflects SAT & CO’s ongoing commitment to expanding its senior advisory capabilities and delivering sophisticated, results-driven legal services to its growing client base across the UAE and internationally. His addition further supports the firm’s strategic vision to grow its market presence and develop innovative solutions for complex commercial and maritime challenges. Emad Saad Elhabbak said: “I am pleased to join SAT & CO and become part of a firm known for its strong market presence and professional excellence. I look forward to contributing my experience to support the firm’s clients and to working closely with the team to deliver practical, strategic, and high-quality legal solutions.” Salah Al Blooshi, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at SAT & CO, commented: “Emad’s expertise and deep knowledge of civil, commercial, and maritime law bring a fresh perspective to our advisory practice. His appointment aligns with the firm’s growth ambitions and vision to deliver innovative, high-impact solutions, ensuring our clients continue to benefit from both strategic guidance and operational excellence.” About SAT & CO SAT & CO is a full-service law firm based in the United Arab Emirates, known for its sharp legal expertise and deep roots in the local market. The firm advises a diverse portfolio of clients, from individuals to multinational corporations, across sectors such as oil and gas, real estate, finance, insurance, telecoms, and gold trading. Its Dispute Resolution department is recognised for handling high-value, complex litigation and enforcement proceedings, with matters exceeding AED 2.5 billion in claims over the past year. SAT & CO combines deep local knowledge with international experience, offering a pragmatic and strategic approach to legal problem-solving. For more information and interview enquiries, please contact: Ksenia Ozerova Business Development & Marketing Manager +971 4 5514441 [email protected] www.sat-law.com