The Dubai Executive Council has approved Decision No. 11 of 2025, issuing a new permit known as the “Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit.”

This permit allows companies registered in Dubai’s free zones to carry out economic and commercial activities in the mainland as well.

According to an official announcement from the Dubai Media Office, the initiative has been launched in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZC). Its aim is to expand interaction between free zones and the mainland, increase investment attractiveness, and strengthen Dubai’s position as a regional economic hub.

Under this decision, free zone companies can participate in projects or contracts within the mainland without establishing a new entity, provided they obtain the required activity approvals from the Department of Economy and Tourism.

Currently, this regulation applies only to the Emirate of Dubai and has not yet been implemented in other emirates such as Abu Dhabi or Sharjah.
However, experts believe that the successful implementation of this initiative may pave the way for similar reforms in other parts of the UAE.

Source:
https://mediaoffice.ae