Day One of LIVEX 2026—the UAE capital’s new Liveability & Investment Exhibition—kicked off on 29 September at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi with more than 20,000 delegates from 50 countries. Organisers emphasised streamlined entry for international participants, publishing a dedicated “Visa Information” hub that guides attendees through the UAE’s visa-on-arrival scheme and lists accredited partners that can fast-track 30- and 60-day visit permits within 48 hours. The exhibition positions Abu Dhabi as a magnet for talent and foreign direct investment by bundling real-estate showcases, recruitment platforms and government services under one roof. Representatives from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) staffed a helpdesk on the show floor, answering questions on Golden Visas, the new five-year Green Residence for skilled employees and recent grace-period rules for overstays linked to regional flight disruptions. Corporate mobility teams were out in force: multinationals such as BlackRock, Brookfield and UBS hosted side-sessions on structuring relocation packages, while law firms discussed how the UAE’s updated labour law allows longer remote-work stays without violating residency thresholds. Start-ups in the tech pavilion showcased AI-driven housing-search tools that aggregate serviced apartments, co-working passes and school places—key pain points for fast-moving assignees. Officials from the Department of Culture and Tourism used the opening keynote to announce a new “Relocate Abu Dhabi” concierge, promising door-to-door support for executives moving headquarters to the emirate. The pilot will integrate medical-fitness testing, Emirates ID biometrics and bank-account opening into a single 72-hour itinerary, a move likely to raise competitive pressure on free-zones in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. With the event running until 1 October, mobility specialists recommend clients planning relocations to book one-on-one consultations via the LIVEX app and leverage show discounts on hotel stays and Etihad flights. Early feedback suggests the exhibition could become a fixture on the global mobility calendar, offering a rare one-stop snapshot of the UAE’s evolving talent-attraction ecosystem.
Source: LIVEX Official Site
