Starting September 14, 2026, the UAE has officially eliminated a broad range of industrial property service fees for student inventors and people of determination. Through Cabinet Resolution No. 136 of 2026, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism has waived costs for 29 distinct services, aiming to remove financial barriers for those looking to protect their creative work. By making intellectual property (IP) services more accessible, the government hopes to foster a more inclusive innovation ecosystem where research can be easily transitioned into valuable industrial assets.

The exemptions cover critical services such as patent registration, industrial design filings, and utility certificates, with some individual benefits providing relief from fees that previously ranged as high as Dh9,000. Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, assistant undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector, emphasized that this policy is a strategic move to solidify the UAE’s standing as a global hub for the new economy. With a notable rise in patent and utility certificate applications already recorded this year, these financial incentives are expected to further encourage local talent to safeguard their innovations and contribute to the nation’s growing intellectual property landscape.