Dubai Enterprise Registration and Licensing Company (DBLC), a part of the Dubai Division of Economic system and Tourism (DET), in collaboration with the Dubai Free Zone Council, has launched the Free Zone Mainland Working Allow, a brand new framework that allows free zone corporations to function in Dubai’s mainland via a structured allow system. This transfer eases cross-jurisdiction operations, opening cost-effective, low-risk pathways for companies to interact in home buying and selling and safe authorities contracts, and fostering development for small enterprises and multinationals alike.
Launched underneath the Dubai Govt Council Choice No. 11 of 2025, the initiative displays Dubai’s dedication to modernising regulation, making a unified investor journey, and advancing the targets of the Dubai Financial Agenda, D33, to double the scale of Dubai’s economic system by 2033, and additional consolidate the town’s place as a number one international vacation spot for enterprise and leisure. Eligible free zone corporations holding a Dubai Unified Licence (DUL) can apply digitally by way of the Put money into Dubai (IID) platform. The method is totally on-line, guaranteeing effectivity for SMEs, startups, and incorporation brokers in search of mainland entry.
Ahmad Khalifa AlQaizi AlFalasi, CEO of Dubai Enterprise Registration and Licensing Company (DBLC), mentioned: “The launch of the Free Zone Mainland Working Allow is a testomony to Dubai’s visionary management and its aspiration to create probably the most seamless and business-ready metropolis on this planet. It additionally displays the energy of collaboration between authorities and free zone stakeholders in streamlining Dubai’s investor journey. By simplifying cross-jurisdictional operations, we’re enhancing ease of doing enterprise whereas opening new avenues for development, from home buying and selling to authorities tenders. This initiative cements Dubai’s place as a benchmark for regulatory innovation and additional reinforces its dedication to progressive, business-friendly insurance policies, driving job creation, entrepreneurship, and a aggressive edge that pulls buyers worldwide – all according to the D33 Agenda’s imaginative and prescient for long-term financial diversification and to construct a really digital-first, globally aggressive economic system.”
By bridging free zone and mainland operations, the initiative is projected to spice up cross-jurisdictional exercise by 15-20% within the first 12 months, benefitting over 10,000 lively free zone corporations and permitting corporations to increase into native buying and selling, combine with home provide chains, and unlock entry to authorities tenders and contracts value billions yearly – alternatives that had been beforehand reserved for mainland-licensed entities.
Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Secretary Normal at Dubai Free Zones Council, mentioned: “The launch of the Free Zone Mainland Working Allow for corporations licensed in free zones helps the world-class enterprise ecosystem that Dubai presents to the enterprise group, buyers, and corporations throughout all sectors. This represents a strategic step that additional enhances the emirate’s attractiveness to international funding and enhances the distinctive benefits offered by Dubai’s free zones, together with operational flexibility, competitiveness, and repair excellence, along with the specialised sectoral environments provided by the varied free zones throughout the emirate.
“This initiative is intently aligned with the targets of the Dubai Financial Agenda, D33, as it would additional simplify enterprise operations and open new pathways for corporations to profit from the various alternatives provided by Dubai’s dynamic economic system. It can additionally assist their journey of development and enlargement from their bases within the free zones, which have confirmed their effectiveness as an built-in ecosystem that allows corporations to thrive throughout all levels, from institution and registration to operational success, financial contribution, and monetary effectivity.”
In its preliminary part, the framework covers non-regulated actions together with expertise, consultancy, design, skilled companies, and buying and selling, with plans to increase to regulated sectors. The Free Zone Mainland Working Allow is legitimate for six months at a price of AED5,000 renewable for a similar charge each six months, providing an economical entry level. Free zone corporations partaking in mainland actions can be topic to 9% company tax on associated revenues and should keep separate monetary information according to Federal Tax Authority (FTA) necessities, selling transparency and regulatory concord. Furthermore, companies that avail this allow can use their current employees in mainland operations, with out the necessity to recruit new ones.
The Free Zone Mainland Working Allow builds on DET’s wider drive to combine companies and streamline regulation throughout the emirate, following the profitable launch of the Dubai Unified Licence (DUL). By enabling free zone corporations to scale with flexibility and confidence, Dubai continues to set new international requirements for transparency, effectivity, and competitiveness. It alerts to international funding companies and multinational firms that Dubai is a global hub for innovation and funding, able to assist scale-up, expertise improvement, and enduring financial dynamism and resilience.
To study extra in regards to the Free Zone Mainland Working Allow, please go to:
https://www.investindubai.gov.ae