UAE Introduces Comprehensive IP Fee Exemptions for Student Inventors and People with Disabilities
Dubai, UAE – The United Arab Emirates has implemented a significant regulatory change aimed at bolstering innovation and inclusivity within its intellectual property landscape. As of September 14, 2026, Cabinet Resolution No. 136 of 2026, enacted by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, grants full exemption from various intellectual property (IP) registration fees for student inventors and individuals with disabilities.
This strategic move underscores the UAE’s commitment to nurturing creativity and making the protection of intellectual assets more accessible to key segments of society.
Scope of Exempted Services
The resolution specifically provides for a complete waiver of fees for 29 distinct services related to the registration and maintenance of patents, industrial designs, utility models, and integrated circuit layouts. These exemptions are designed to reduce financial barriers and encourage greater participation in the IP system.
Both student inventors and people with disabilities will benefit from an exemption on 11 common IP services. These include the crucial initial steps of filing applications for patents and industrial designs, as well as the examination process for utility model applications. Furthermore, annual payments required for maintaining the protection of rights during the second through fifth years have also been eliminated for these beneficiaries. Previously, fees for these services ranged from AED 100 to AED 1,000.
In addition to the common exemptions, specific benefits have been tailored for each group. Individuals with disabilities are now exempt from an additional nine IP-related services, which previously incurred costs of up to AED 9,000. Similarly, student inventors will no longer face fees for nine other services, which had previously amounted to up to AED 4,500.
Driving Innovation and Growth
A representative from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism highlighted that this regulatory amendment aligns directly with the UAE’s broader policy objectives of supporting and stimulating creativity and innovation. The intention is to streamline the process for student inventors and people with disabilities to register their intellectual developments and secure their legal rights.
The initiative comes at a time of notable growth in the UAE’s IP ecosystem. Statistics from the first half of 2026 indicate a 9% increase in patent applications compared to the same period in 2025. Utility model applications demonstrated even stronger growth, rising by 21% over the comparable period. In 2025, approximately 4,300 patent applications were filed across the country. The cumulative number of registered patents, utility model certificates, and industrial design applications in the UAE currently stands at 22,184, reflecting a robust and expanding innovation sector.
The introduction of these fee exemptions is expected to further accelerate these trends, fostering an inclusive environment where innovation is recognized, protected, and thrives across all segments of the population.