Dubai Launches ‘One Freezone Passport’, Enabling Businesses to Operate Across All Free Zones with a Single License .

Dubai has introduced a game-changing reform to its business environment with the launch of the One Freezone Passport. This new initiative allows companies to operate across all of Dubai’s free zones using just one trade license, removing the previous requirement of obtaining separate licenses for each zone.

This policy was introduced by the Dubai Free Zones Council and marks a major step toward creating a unified and borderless business ecosystem within the emirate. It aligns with Dubai’s vision to streamline business regulations and encourage investment, innovation, and growth.

Traditionally, businesses operating in more than one free zone were required to establish separate entities and maintain individual licenses for each jurisdiction. With the One Freezone Passport, this burden is lifted. A business registered in any Dubai free zone — such as DMCC, DIFC, Meydan, JAFZA, IFZA, or others — can now freely operate in any other participating free zone.

This creates new opportunities for collaboration, market expansion, and cross-sector operations, especially for startups, SMEs, and global firms looking to scale within the UAE.

The key benefits of the initiative include a single license for all free zones, no need for duplicate registrations, lower compliance costs and paperwork, faster time-to-market for expansions, and increased operational flexibility across industries. This move is expected to enhance business mobility, cut overhead expenses, and encourage companies to establish a stronger footprint across the emirate.

Luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton has become the first international brand to adopt the One Freezone Passport model, showcasing the initiative’s appeal to high-profile global firms. With this system in place, experts predict a surge in new company formations and inter-zone partnerships within Dubai. This announcement also reinforces Dubai’s ambition to remain one of the most business-friendly cities in the world.

The launch of the passport is part of a broader wave of business-friendly reforms that include allowing certain free zone companies to own property in Dubai, issuing temporary onshore permits (up to 6 months) without the need to establish a mainland entity, and enabling branch licensing for expanded onshore operations. Together, these reforms give businesses the ability to operate with greater efficiency, legal clarity, and geographic flexibility.

With the One Freezone Passport, Dubai is pioneering a new model for business licensing — one that prioritizes integration, mobility, and investor convenience. It not only simplifies operations but also enhances the attractiveness of the emirate as a regional and global business hub. For entrepreneurs, investors, and international companies, Dubai is now offering unmatched freedom to grow, backed by world-class infrastructure and a regulatory environment built for the future.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
Dubai’s DFSA Reports 22% Growth in First Half of 2024 The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has announced a robust 22% growth in its financial sector for the first half of 2024, underscoring the continued strength and dynamism of Dubai’s financial services industry. This impressive growth highlights the resilience and expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a global financial hub. The DFSA’s report reveals that this growth is driven by increased business activity, expansion of financial services, and enhanced regulatory frameworks that foster a competitive and innovative environment. The growth encompasses various sectors within the financial services industry, including banking, asset management, insurance, and fintech. The DFSA has seen a significant uptick in new firms and investments, reflecting confidence in Dubai’s financial ecosystem and its role as a gateway for international business. “The 22% growth is a testament to the strength and adaptability...
Read more
Image
Emirates NBD's Acquisition of Emirates Islamic Bank (EIB) Emirates NBD, the largest bank in Dubai by assets, has launched a mandatory cash offer to acquire the remaining 0.11% of shares in Emirates Islamic Bank (EIB), a subsidiary that operates under the Emirates NBD Group. The bank has put forward an offer price of AED 11.95 per share, which values the total outstanding stake at approximately AED 69.88 million. This strategic acquisition is part of Emirates NBD’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its operations and streamline its business structure, further enhancing its operational efficiency. Following the successful completion of the transaction, Emirates NBD plans to integrate EIB fully, but EIB will continue to operate under its own brand name. The transaction is expected to result in the delisting of EIB’s shares from the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). Once the offer is completed, Emirates NBD will hold 100% ownership of Emirates Islamic Bank, thereby further strengthening it...
Read more
Image
Aramco Slashes $40 Billion in Dividends Amid Saudi Fiscal Pressures Saudi Aramco, the world’s most valuable oil company, has announced a major cut in its dividend payouts for 2025, signaling mounting financial pressure on the Kingdom as it presses ahead with its costly economic transformation plans. The oil giant plans to distribute $85.4 billion in total dividends this year, a significant drop from the $124.2 billion paid in 2024 — a reduction of nearly $40 billion. The move has sparked concerns about Saudi Arabia’s ability to finance its ambitious Vision 2030 agenda, which relies heavily on Aramco's profits to bankroll infrastructure and diversification projects. Performance-Linked Payouts Plunge 98% The sharpest decline came in the form of performance-linked dividends, which are set to fall from $43.1 billion in 2024 to just $900 million in 2025 — a staggering 98% decrease. The dividend cuts reflect a broader decline in Aramco’s financial performance. Net income dropped by 12%, ...
Read more