Membres
Astruc & Co | Dubai Opens Mainland Market Access for Free Zone Companies
Dubai has launched a new pathway for free zone companies to operate directly in the mainland. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) introduced the “Mainland Operating Permit” under Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2025.
Key points:
- Free zone companies licensed in Dubai (such as those holding a Dubai Unified Licence) can apply.
- The permit allows them to perform approved non-regulated activities on the mainland (trading, consulting, design, technology, professional services) under clear oversight.
- The cost is AED 5,000, valid for six months, and renewable for the same term.
- Income from mainland operations is subject to the UAE’s 9 % corporate tax and separate accounting must be maintained for onshore vs free zone activities.
- The reform gives companies access to new business opportunities: on-shore clients, public tenders, and a broader market without full branch incorporation.
Practical next steps for businesses include:
- checking eligibility and permitted activities
- coordinating with the free-zone authority and sector regulators
- setting up separate financial records and reviewing tax implications
- leveraging existing free zone staff for mainland assignments
- planning permit renewal aligned with project schedules.
Why it matters:
This reform simplifies the entry into Dubai’s mainland market. It enables free zone businesses to test on-shore demand with lower risk. It also supports the broader goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to grow the emirate’s economy.
