New Regulation Allows Free Zone Companies to Expand Across Dubai

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, has issued a new resolution allowing free zone companies to operate in mainland Dubai with permits from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The regulation enables licensed businesses to expand beyond free zones, provided they comply with federal and local laws and maintain separate financial records for mainland activities. Financial institutions within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) are exempt.

DET will oversee licensing, issuing renewable one-year permits or activity-based approvals. Within six months, it will release a list of approved economic activities.

This move aligns with Dubai’s D33 agenda to double its economy to AED 32 trillion (USD 8.71 trillion) in the next decade.