By the Pro24 DMCC Advisory Team — official DMCC Partner and business setup specialists in JLT, Dubai. Last reviewed August 2026.
Free zone companies have always faced one limit: they are built to trade internationally and within the free zone, not to sell directly into the Dubai mainland market. The DMCC dual licence is the official answer to that. Through a scheme between DMCC and Dubai’s Department of Economy & Tourism (DET, formerly DED), qualifying DMCC companies can hold a mainland licence alongside their free zone one — without setting up a whole second company. Here is how it works and who it suits.
Key takeaways
- The dual licence lets a DMCC company operate onshore under a DET mainland licence.
- It is aimed mainly at service-activity companies and requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from DMCC.
- The mainland arm appears as a branch on the DET trade licence — not a separate legal entity, and no Ministry of Economy registration.
- It opens up mainland clients and government work while you keep your DMCC base.
What the dual licence solves
A standard DMCC licence is excellent for international trade, services and holding structures, but a pure free zone company cannot freely invoice mainland UAE customers or bid for many government contracts without a local distributor or agent. Rather than incorporate a separate mainland LLC, the DMCC–DET dual licensing scheme lets your existing company extend onshore. You keep one company, one identity and one set of shareholders, with a mainland permit bolted on.
How it is structured
Under the scheme, the mainland presence is registered as a branch of your DMCC company on the DET trade licence. Importantly, this is not treated as a foreign branch and does not require registration with the Ministry of Economy, which keeps the process lighter than a conventional mainland setup. Your DMCC company remains the parent; the DET licence simply gives it the right to operate onshore for the approved activities.
Who qualifies
The scheme is primarily open to service-based DMCC companies whose activities are eligible for onshore operation. You apply to DMCC for a No Objection Certificate confirming it does not object to your operating on the mainland, then complete DET’s requirements for the branch licence. Broader Dubai reforms in recent years have widened mainland access for free zone businesses, but the practical route for DMCC members remains the NOC-plus-DET process.
What you gain
Access to mainland clients
You can contract directly with UAE mainland businesses and, where eligible, bid for government and semi-government work that a free-zone-only company cannot.
A mainland address and credibility
A DET licence and onshore presence can strengthen how local partners and clients perceive you, without losing your DMCC standing.
One company, not two
You avoid the cost, duplicated accounting and separate shareholding of running a second entity. It is a far cleaner structure than incorporating a standalone LLC in parallel.
Dual licence vs a separate mainland company
If your mainland ambitions are limited to services, the dual licence is usually the smarter, cheaper path. If you need full mainland trading, retail premises or activities outside the eligible list, a dedicated mainland company may fit better. Our DMCC vs mainland comparison walks through the trade-offs.
The dual licence is the best of both worlds for service firms: keep the DMCC advantages, add the right to work onshore — with one company, not two.
How to apply, step by step
The route for a DMCC member is well defined:
- Confirm eligibility — check your service activity is one DET permits onshore.
- Apply to DMCC for the No Objection Certificate confirming it does not object to onshore operation.
- Approach DET with the NOC and complete its requirements for the branch licence.
- Meet DET’s premises and documentation for your activity.
- Receive the DET trade licence showing the mainland branch of your DMCC company.
Both licences then renew on their own cycles, so budget for the DMCC renewal and the DET renewal each year.
Frequently asked questions
Can any DMCC company get a dual licence?
No. It is aimed at eligible service activities and requires an NOC from DMCC before DET issues the mainland branch licence.
Is the mainland arm a separate company?
No. It is registered as a branch of your DMCC company on the DET licence, so you keep one legal entity and one set of shareholders.
Does a dual licence let me do general trading on the mainland?
Generally not — the route is designed for services. Full mainland trading usually needs a dedicated mainland company.
Do I need a mainland office?
DET has its own premises and documentation requirements for the branch; the specifics depend on your activity, which we confirm before you apply.
Thinking about serving mainland clients from your DMCC company? Pro24 will confirm your eligibility and handle the NOC and DET licensing. Official reference: DMCC (dmcc.ae).
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