US Grants UAE License-Free Access to Advanced AI Chips
The United States has significantly eased export controls on the United Arab Emirates, giving approved UAE government bodies and companies license-free access to advanced AI chips, servers and a wider range of sensitive American technologies.
The US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced the change on July 10, 2026, upgrading the UAE’s classification under the Export Administration Regulations in recognition of its status as a US Major Defense Partner and its support for American national security interests.
Under the changes, the UAE will be removed from Country Groups D:3 and D:4 and reclassified under Country Group A:5, a category offering broader eligibility for license exceptions. The change will also remove restrictions affecting support for UAE unmanned aerial vehicle programmes.
Approved UAE entities will become eligible for license-free exports, reexports and in-country transfers under the Strategic Trade Authorization license exception.
Eligible technologies include Commerce-controlled military items, certain commercial satellites and spacecraft, and dual-use equipment used in oil and gas production, desalination and civil nuclear power generation.
The Commerce Department is also approving the UAE government and selected companies to receive advanced computing products without individual export licences, including AI chips and AI servers. The measure builds on the US-UAE Artificial Intelligence Cooperation framework signed in May 2025.
For the UAE, the decision could reduce regulatory delays in acquiring the computing infrastructure needed to train and deploy advanced AI systems. It may also support investment in data centres, digital infrastructure, defence technology, space systems and strategic industrial projects.
However, the decision does not provide unrestricted access to every UAE buyer. License-free treatment applies to the government and specifically approved commercial entities and remains subject to the conditions of the applicable US export-control exceptions.
BIS said the special status was justified by the continuing US-UAE military partnership and the UAE’s commitment to preventing the diversion and misuse of sensitive American technology.
The UAE Embassy in Washington, DC, said in an Arabic-language statement that the decision opens new opportunities for joint research and development, stronger technology cooperation, expanded trade and a deeper defence partnership.
The policy shift strengthens the UAE’s efforts to become a global AI and advanced-technology hub while further integrating the country into Washington’s network of trusted defence and technology partners.
