Looking to start your business in Dubai with an employment visa? You’ve probably come across the Mainland Visa and Free Zone Visa options.
In this article, you will learn about the Difference between employment visa mainland and freezone, and the key advantages of each one of them, so you can easily choose which one suits you and your business goals.
What Is a Mainland Employment Visa?
A mainland employment visa is issued by MOHRE (the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). It allows you to work anywhere in the UAE under federal labor laws, as it supports a full business setup in mainland, making it ideal for broader market reach.
What Is a FreeZone Employment Visa?
The Free Zone Employment Visa is provided by the Free Zone authority, which allows you to work only within the Free Zone and its clients.
It can allow foreign ownership, and it has a flexible processing; it follows the law of the free zone, and it requires permission to work outside the free zone.
It works best for those who focus on a specific field, like Tech and logistics, depending on the free zone sector.
Difference between employment visa mainland and freezone
Here are the highlights difference between employment visa mainland and freezone:
| Feature | Mainland Visa | Free Zone Visa |
| Issuing Authority | MOHRE | Free Zone Authority |
| Work Area | Anywhere in UAE | Inside Free Zone only |
| Ownership | May require Emirati partner (not always) | 100% Foreign Ownership allowed |
| Regulation | UAE Labor Law | Free Zone Laws |
| Ideal For | Broad UAE market, hiring flexibility | Focused industries, cost-effective startups |
This distinction affects your eligibility for a UAE residence visa and the type of business setup in Dubai UAE you can run.
Employment Visa Processing Time and Validity
Here is the difference between employment visa mainland and freezone, regarding the Processing time and validity:
First: Processing time of Employment Visa
Mainland Visa Processing time:
1. Typically takes 7 to 15 working days, but depends on:
- Completeness of documents
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID processing
- MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation) and immigration approvals
Free Zone Visa Process:
- Takes around 5–10 working days
- Faster due to internal processing
- It doesn’t need so many government approvals.
Second: Validity of Employment Visa
- Both the mainland and the free zone visa are valid for 2 years.
- Some Free Zone visas can be longer depending on the authority
Contact us and we will help you with everything, including Matching your business activity with the Dubai mainland activity list
Sponsorship Differences in Mainland and Free Zones
There are different sponsorship policies between the Mainland and free zones.
Mainland Sponsorship:
- Sponsored by a UAE-licensed company registered with MOHRE.
- May require 51% local ownership unless you’re applying under 100% foreign-owned license (now possible in most sectors).
Free Zone Sponsorship:
- Sponsorship is managed by the Free Zone Authority.
- Employees are under the Free Zone’s sponsorship.
Learn more: What is difference between mainland and freezone UAE?
Work Flexibility and Mobility Within the UAE
If you’re planning to enter the UAE market or run an online business remotely, it’s important to understand how work mobility differs between a mainland visa and a free zone visa.
Mainland Visa Benefits:
- Work freely across all emirates
- Serve clients anywhere in the UAE
- Bid for government projects
- Easily switch jobs within the mainland sector
Free Zone Visa Limitations:
- Employees are typically allowed to work only within the Free Zone.
- Working outside the freezone, requires a permission or an additional license.
- Moving to another Free Zone or mainland requires cancellation of the current visa and a new sponsorship, which can take time and cost.
Cost of Employment visa in the Mainland and the Freezone
When planning your business setup in Dubai UAE, it’s important to understand the difference between employment visa mainland and freezone, especially in terms of cost:
Mainland Employment Visa
- A mainland employment visa typically includes:
- Government application and processing fees
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID
- Mandatory health insurance
- Labour card/work permit
- Typing and service charges
Free Zone Employment Visa
- Free zone visas vary depending on the authority and the package you choose, and usually include:
- Free Zone authority processing fees
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID
- Insurance (included in some packages)
- Visa stamping
- Admin or service charges
Visa costs may vary based on the zone, business type, and services included. For an accurate quote tailored to your needs, contact us directly.
Which Visa Type Is Right for Your Business?
To answer this question, you need to set your business goals, because it depends on your future plans, the market you want to expand and the clients you want to serve.
- Choose the Mainland employment visa if you want to operate anywhere in the UAE, you need to serve government entities or local clients directly, you require maximum mobility for employees across the UAE, and if you want to open branches in other emirates.
- Choose the Free zone employment visa if your goal is a cost-effective setup, or if you want to start a startup, a small business, or freelancing. If your business clients are only within the Free Zone, and you want full foreign ownership without needing a local sponsor.
How Alex Zone Helps You with UAE Employment Visas?
Whether you’re launching a startup or expanding an existing company, Alex Zone provides full visa and licensing support for both mainland and free zone business setup in Dubai UAE. We assist with:
- UAE residence visa and employment visa applications
- Choosing between mainland or free zone company formation
- Navigating the difference between mainland and freezone UAE
- Legal support, including legal documents and approvals.
- Medical test scheduling and Emirates ID coordination
- Investor and partner visa application
- Employee visa sponsorship & quota approval
- Bank account opening, tax & accounting, and more
Contact Alex Zone today for a free consultation!
Conclusion
Choosing between a mainland and free zone visa starts with understanding the difference between employment visa mainland and freezone, as each option supports different business needs:
- The mainland employment visa is ideal if you want access to the full UAE market, flexibility to work with government clients, and broader business activity options.
- The free zone employment visa suits startups and small businesses looking for a cost-effective setup, industry-specific benefits, and 100% foreign ownership.
No matter your path, Alex Zone is here to guide you through every step, from selecting the right structure to handling all visa, licensing, and legal requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the mainland employment visa prevent working for foreign clients?
The mainland employment visa doesn’t prevent working for foreign clients as long as your services are billed through your UAE mainland company, which holds the license, and you aren’t working as a freelancer without a freelance license.
2. Which authority manages employment contracts and disputes?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation manages the mainland companies and employees, but the free zones are the authority itself for only its companies within the free zone.
For a free consultation, contact us now and let us help you choose the best for your project.
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