Mainland or free zone licence?

A mainland licence is issued in Dubai by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and lets the business trade directly anywhere in the Dubai market and with government entities; it usually needs a physical office (Ejari), and some activities need external approvals. A free zone licence is issued by the free zone authority (e.g. DMCC, JAFZA, IFZA and others), often with flexible office packages and its own visa quota, but activity is mainly within the zone or abroad; direct mainland trading traditionally needed a local distributor or a separate mainland licence. Since Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, Dubai free-zone companies can also operate on the mainland through a DET licence or a temporary permit, with the free zone's approval (details and fees to be confirmed with DET). The best choice depends on the activity, customers, office needs, number of visas and budget; our staff can compare both for your case. Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 (issued 3 March 2025) lets a free-zone establishment work in Dubai outside the free zone through a DET branch licence, a branch licence operating out of the free zone (AED 10,000 a year to issue or renew) or a temporary permit for specific activities of up to six months (AED 5,000 to issue or renew); it does not apply to DIFC financial establishments.