If you’re tired of hop scotching between Dubai free zones just to expand operations, here is the news you’ve been waiting for: Dubai has launched a game changer called the One Freezone Passport.
Louis Vuitton became the very first global brand to benefit from One Freezone Passport. Now they maintain a warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone and set up a corporate office at One Za’abeel in the DWTC Free Zone, under a single licence. This was completed in just five days, showcasing what’s possible when Dubai moves fast and smart.
What Is “One Freezone Passport”?
In simple terms, this system allows companies licensed in one Dubai free zone to operate in others without needing multiple licences. That is operational agility at a whole new level.
Previously your company could only function within the limits of your licensed free zone. Now you can extend your footprint across multiple zones under the same licence. That means less paperwork and more access to infrastructure across Dubai.
Why Does It Matters?
Here’s the thing. Free zones typically restrict operations to their own borders. That means if you wanted to move from JAFZA to another zone like DWTC or DMCC, you had to apply again. Now you don’t. If you’re already licensed in one zone, you get simplified access across others.
Louis Vuitton is just the first company to test this system. They kept their JAFZA warehouse and added executive offices in DWTC. Under the old rules that would mean multiple setup applications. With the new passport they got it done in five working days. That is operational flexibility unheard of until now.
Who Can Use It?
Any company licensed in a Dubai Free Zone qualifies. More than 40 multidisciplinary free zones exist in Dubai. If your activity matches the types allowed in the original licence, you can expand without extra licensing.
The passport reduces friction for companies looking to scale across zones quickly. If you want to expand into fields like logistics, retail, media or general trading, this takes a lot of uncertainty out of the equation.
However you still need to operate within the scope of your original activity. Industrial or service extensions in another zone may need additional coverage depending on regulations.
What This Really Means for Businesses
You get:
- One licence does the work of many licences
- Faster licensing processes across multiple zones
- Lower overhead in approvals and paperwork
- Access to industry specific zones without rework
If you want faster expansion with less complexity and more predictability this is the change that matters.
How AB Capital Services Can Help
At AB Capital Business Setup Services we help founders and business leaders move fast but intelligently.
Here is how we support you with the One Freezone Passport initiative:
- Evaluate if your current free zone licence qualifies for the passport
- Map the zones you need based on operations and strategy
- Handle the application process and documentation
- Align your activities across zones for full compliance
- Support you with timelines, renewals, and future scale strategy
We turn opportunity into clarity so you can focus on running your operation—not running loops.
Final Thought
The One Freezone Passport is real. It is live. It eases expansion across Dubai free zones under a single licence. And global giants are already testing it but launching operations quickly and cleanly.
If you are expanding across verticals or territories in Dubai, this removes a huge barrier. The efficiency translates to time saved, paperwork avoided, and scale unlocked.
Want to leverage this system correctly without compliance risk? Let AB Capital Services guide you through setup, documents, and application handling so you do it right. This isn’t a theory. It is an operational transformation.
FAQs
What is the One Freezone Passport for Dubai businesses?
It is a unified licence system that lets businesses licensed in one free zone operate in others without applying for new licences.
Who was the first company to use it?
Louis Vuitton. They kept their warehouse operations in JAFZA and added offices in DWTC under one licence, all completed in five days.
Do I need new licenses to work in other zones?
No. As long as your business activity is covered in your original licence, you can expand to other zones without extra licensing.
How quickly can expansions be approved?
In Louis Vuitton’s case it took just five days—a sign that the system is built for speed.
Is this available in all free zones?
Yes. Dubai Free Zones Council views this as a citywide system covering over 40 multidisciplinary free zones for approved activities.
Disclaimer: The information in this post is for general guidance only and may change due to updates in government policies or regulations. For the most accurate and up-to-date advice, please consult with a licensed tax advisor or reach out to AB Capital Services directly.