can a 自由区 company conduct business 在迪拜 Mainland

Confirm the legal entity, issuing authority and exact activities.

Identify customers, locations, contracts, goods, employees and premises.

Identify every external approval required.

Confirm whether the activity and 自由区 qualify for the operating-permit route.

Evaluate a permit, branch, distributor and separate Mainland LLC.

Determine whether the operation creates non-qualifying income or a Domestic Permanent Establishment.

Confirm invoicing, importer responsibilities and product treatment.

Secure any no-objection certificate, resolution or supporting document required.

Submit the permit or branch application with the necessary supporting records.

Obtain an office, shop or warehouse suitable for the activity.

Confirm how existing staff can perform Mainland duties.

Create ledgers, cost centres and records for Mainland activity.

Update the company's operating profile where necessary.

Do not exceed the permit, branch or external approval.

Review the structure before each 执照, permit and tax-reporting deadline.

The official operating permit was launched at AED 5,000 for six months, renewable for the same period and fee. This 金额 should be reconfirmed and should not be treated as the entire operational cost.

The 执照 is issued under a particular 自由区 framework. Mainland operations may require DET approval.

Permits, branches and direct structures may now be available.

It applies only to eligible activities and approved operations.

Mainland operations can create taxable income at 9% and affect Qualifying 自由区 Person analysis.

Separate financial records are required for authorised Mainland operations.

Not every 自由区 is a Designated Zone, and Designated Zone treatment is limited.

Yes, a 自由区 company can conduct eligible business in the 迪拜 Mainland—but it must use a legally permitted route.

A 自由区 执照 does not automatically authorise unrestricted operations everywhere 在迪拜. Depending on the activity, the company may need a Mainland operating permit, a branch 执照 from the 迪拜 经济与旅游局, a Mainland distributor or importer, a dual-licensing arrangement, or an independently incorporated Mainland company.

迪拜 materially expanded the available options through Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025. Under this framework, a company licensed by a 迪拜 自由区 authority may operate outside its 自由区 and within the Emirate of 迪拜 after obtaining the required 执照 or permit from the 迪拜 经济与旅游局.

迪拜 subsequently introduced the 自由区 Mainland Operating Permit for eligible non-regulated activities. This creates a more direct path for certain 自由区 companies to undertake approved Mainland operations without immediately establishing a separate Mainland company.

KPM Global Services LLC can review a 自由区 company's 执照, business model, customers and tax position before recommending the appropriate 迪拜 Mainland operating route.

A 迪拜 自由区 company may conduct business in the 迪拜 Mainland through one or more of the following routes:

Online or cross-border transactions that do not require an additional physical Mainland presence, subject to the applicable rules

The company should not assume that issuing an invoice to a Mainland customer is the only test.

Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 established a clearer legal framework for 自由区 establishments seeking to conduct activities outside their zones and within 迪拜.

The Resolution applies to 自由区 establishments operating outside their designated zones, with an exception for financial institutions licensed in the 迪拜 International Financial Centre, which remain subject to their specialised framework.

Under the Resolution, a 迪拜 自由区 establishment may operate outside its 自由区 after obtaining the necessary 执照 or permit from DET. 迪拜 Legislation Portal

Branch licences issued under the framework are generally valid for one year and may be renewed, subject to the applicable conditions.

The Resolution does not mean every 自由区 company can automatically perform every activity in Mainland 迪拜. DET and the relevant 自由区 authority determine activity eligibility, licensing conditions and coordination requirements.

迪拜 introduced the 自由区 Mainland Operating Permit as an implementation route supporting eligible 自由区 businesses that want to operate in Mainland 迪拜.

According to the official 迪拜 announcement, the initial phase covers certain non-regulated activities, including areas such as:

Eligibility depends on the approved activity and participating licensing framework. A company should not rely only on a broad activity category. Its exact licensed activity must be checked.

Designed to allow eligible 自由区 companies to conduct approved Mainland operations

Capable of supporting use of the company's existing workforce for authorised Mainland activities

The current fee and conditions should be reconfirmed before applying. Government of 迪拜 Media Office

Does Every 迪拜 自由区 Company Qualify?

A company established in another emirate's 自由区 should not assume that 迪拜's local permit framework applies to it in the same manner.