UAE has introduced Dubai One Freezone Passport, a new system that lets companies operate across multiple free zones under a single license. For years, entrepreneurs setting up a company in Dubai had to obtain separate trade licenses for each zone. That meant more paperwork, extra costs, and sometimes long delays. Now, with this move, the city is signaling a major shift in how it wants to manage free zone businesses.
Why Dubai Is Pushing This Forward
Dubai’s free zones have been the backbone of foreign investment and business setup in the UAE. Each zone had its own authority, rules, and licensing process. While this gave investors choice, it also created silos. A company in JAFZA, for example, could not easily expand into Dubai Airport Free Zone without starting from scratch.
The One Freezone Passport removes some of these barriers. Businesses can expand into new free zones without repeating the full incorporation process. This means smoother growth across industries like logistics, e-commerce, and general trading.
How Dubai One Freezone Passport Works
Instead of holding multiple licenses, a business will apply once in its primary free zone. From there, it can extend activities into other zones with the same license. Authorities will recognize the compliance checks already done—saving both time and money.
Companies have two choices:
- Full branch license – with office space and staffing in the new free zone.
- Operational permit – for limited functions such as warehousing or storage.
It’s not entirely open-ended, though. Activities must stay consistent. If your business is licensed for trading electronics, you can’t suddenly branch into food services under the same passport.
Who Benefits the Most
For startups and small enterprises, this change could lower entry barriers. Many entrepreneurs delay expansion because the cost of multiple trade licenses is heavy. With one license covering several zones, new opportunities open up—especially for those entering e-commerce or distribution.
Larger corporations gain efficiency too. Instead of managing separate compliance reports, they can unify operations. The system may also attract global players who previously found the multi-license requirement unattractive.
Limitations You Should Keep in Mind
The passport doesn’t cover every type of business. Retail stores, financial firms, and professional service providers remain outside the scope. Also, co-working desks and shared offices are excluded for now.
Another point—staffing rules don’t transfer. If you hire employees in one free zone, that contract doesn’t automatically apply elsewhere. Businesses will still need to manage visas and HR functions separately.
What This Means for Business Setup in Dubai
If you’re planning to set up a company in Dubai or already hold a trade license in a UAE free zone, the One Freezone Passport offers flexibility. It ties into Dubai’s wider economic vision under the D33 agenda, which focuses on doubling the city’s GDP within a decade.
The message is clear: Dubai wants to stay ahead as a global hub for business setup, investment, and new company formation. And it’s experimenting with policies that make expansion less complicated. Whether this will reshape the free zone system entirely is something we’ll see in the coming years.
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FAQs on One Freezone Passport
1. What is the Dubai One Freezone Passport?
It’s a licensing system that allows businesses to operate in multiple Dubai free zones with a single license.
2. Can all businesses apply for the One Freezone Passport?
No. Retail, finance, DNFBPs, and some professional services are excluded.
3. Do I still need office space in each free zone?
Only if you open a full branch. For limited activities, you can opt for an operational permit.
4. Does the passport cover staffing and visas across zones?
Not yet. Each free zone has its own rules for employee contracts and visas.
5. Is this available only for new businesses?
No, existing companies can also extend into other free zones under the passport system.
