Dubai Launches Freezone One Passport

Dubai has launched the Freezone One Passport — a unified licensing framework that allows companies registered in one Dubai free zone to operate across multiple participating zones without obtaining separate trade licenses or undergoing re-incorporation.

Announced by the Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZC) on July 22, 2025, the initiative aims to streamline operations, cut administrative costs, and boost Dubai’s competitiveness as a global investment hub. It aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which targets doubling the emirate’s GDP by 2033.

The new system simplifies cross-zone business activity by removing regulatory duplication and accelerating setup timelines. Startups and multinational corporations alike will benefit from reduced red tape, faster market entry, and broader access to Dubai’s strategic logistics and infrastructure networks.

By fostering collaboration among over 30 free zones — including JAFZA and DWTC Free Zone — the One Passport promotes synergy between industries such as logistics, manufacturing, technology, and finance. The initiative preserves key free zone benefits like 100% foreign ownership and corporate tax exemptions, while offering a single regulatory identity across jurisdictions.

Eligibility conditions apply: professional activities and regulated financial institutions are excluded, and companies must retain identical shareholders, directors, and activities across zones.

The move reinforces Dubai’s position as a global leader in innovation-driven economic policy, offering investors a more agile and cost-efficient framework for regional expansion.