UAE Pioneers Intellectual Property Fee Exemptions for Student Innovators and People of Determination
Abu Dhabi, UAE – The United Arab Emirates has initiated a significant regulatory reform by waiving intellectual property registration fees for student inventors and people of determination, aiming to dismantle financial barriers to innovation. This strategic move, effective from September 14, follows the implementation of Cabinet Resolution No 136 of 2026 by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism.
The comprehensive fee exemption program extends across 29 distinct services pertaining to patents, industrial designs, utility certificates, and integrated circuit layouts. This legislative amendment underscores the UAE’s commitment to cultivating a vibrant ecosystem for creativity and technological advancement.
Details of the Exemptions
Both student inventors and people of determination will benefit from full exemptions on 11 shared intellectual property services. These include applications for patent and industrial design registrations, examinations for utility certificates, and the annual protection fees spanning the second through fifth years. Previously, these specific fees ranged from AED 100 to AED 1,000.
In addition to these shared benefits, people of determination are granted further exemptions on nine separate services, which previously incurred charges of up to AED 9,000. Similarly, student inventors receive waivers on another set of nine distinct services, for which original fees could reach up to AED 4,500.
Fostering Innovation and Inclusivity
Commenting on the new resolution, Abdulrahman Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector at the Ministry, affirmed that the measure reflects the UAE’s dedication to establishing a robust legislative framework that aligns with global best practices. He highlighted the Cabinet resolution’s role in advancing the nation’s vision to foster creativity and innovation by empowering student inventors and people of determination, facilitating the registration of their innovations, and safeguarding their intellectual rights.
Growth in Intellectual Property Applications
The introduction of these fee exemptions coincides with a notable increase in demand for intellectual property protection within the UAE. The Ministry’s records indicate a 9 percent rise in patent applications during the first half of 2026 compared to the corresponding period in 2025. Furthermore, utility certificate applications witnessed a 21 percent growth over the same timeframe.
In 2025, the total number of patent applications reached approximately 4,300. Cumulatively, the nation has registered 22,184 applications across patents, utility certificates, and industrial designs, signaling a burgeoning interest among innovators and enterprises in securing their industrial property rights.
Looking ahead, the Ministry continues to advance its digital infrastructure for intellectual property services, a key initiative aligned with the broader objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” national vision.