In his capability because the Chairman of The Government Council of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, issued Government Council Decision No. (11) of 2025, regulating the operations of free zone institutions in Dubai.
Provisions of this decision apply to institutions in search of to function outdoors the free zone, excluding monetary establishments licensed to function throughout the Dubai Worldwide Monetary Centre, and align with the targets of the Dubai Financial Agenda, D33, to double the scale of Dubai’s financial system within the decade as much as 2033, and consolidate its place among the many world’s high three financial cities.
In accordance with the decision, any firm or establishment licensed by a free zone related authority could function outdoors the free zone and inside Dubai, so long as it obtains the mandatory licenses or permits from the Dubai Division of Economic system and Tourism (DET).
This newest decision marks a major development in enhancing the enterprise panorama, by enabling Free Zone companies to effortlessly broaden their operations past the free zones into mainland Dubai.
This initiative aligns with town’s formidable D33 Agenda to create a dynamic enterprise ecosystem, guided by its visionary management, to additional elevate the competitiveness of town’s thriving enterprise sector and enhance effectivity for native and international companies. This focus is additional supported by Dubai’s enabling atmosphere, together with its steady efforts to enhance the convenience of doing enterprise in Dubai, constantly recognised business-friendly laws, and now, the power for Free Zone companies to seamlessly combine into the mainland.
The brand new decision additionally displays Dubai’s dedication to supporting companies and fostering development. It encourages elevated financial exercise, job creation, and innovation, positioning town as a hub for enterprise, funding and entrepreneurship. This progressive initiative sends a transparent message to the worldwide enterprise group that Dubai is a vacation spot for funding, in addition to a forward-thinking associate dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial ambitions and driving sustainable improvement.
Beneath the decision, institutions should adhere to the relevant federal and native laws associated to their actions and keep separate monetary information for his or her operations carried out outdoors the free zone, separate from these throughout the free zone.
Moreover, if the institutions want to function outdoors the Emirate of Dubai, they have to safe the required licenses and permits from the related authorities within the location the place they plan to hold out their actions, in compliance with the relevant laws of these authorities.
In accordance with the decision, DET is permitted to grant an institution the permission to function outdoors the free zone and throughout the Emirate of Dubai by issuing a license for establishing a department throughout the emirate or issuing a license for a department with its headquarters within the free zone. These licenses are legitimate for one yr and may be renewed. Moreover, permits could also be issued for particular actions throughout the emirate.
The decision additionally outlines the necessities for licensing a department throughout the Emirate of Dubai or inside every other free zone in Dubai. It additionally particulars the procedures for issuing exercise permits and the circumstances for using the institution’s workforce.
In accordance with the decision, DET, in coordination with the licensing authority, is required to concern an inventory of financial actions that institutions can conduct in Dubai inside six months, relying on whether or not they maintain a department license within the emirate, a department with headquarters within the free zone, or a allow for particular actions.
Any institution licensed to function within the emirate below this decision is topic to inspection in keeping with related federal and native legal guidelines; along with the procedures agreed upon between the DET and the licensing authority.
All institutions working outdoors the free zone and throughout the Emirate of Dubai when this decision takes impact should adjust to its provisions inside one yr from its efficient date. If wanted, the Director Basic of the DET could lengthen this era for an extra yr.
This decision annuls every other decision that conflicts with it, and can be efficient from the date of its publication within the Official Gazette.
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