š¢ Free Zone vs Mainland Visa
Know who manages the employment record, who manages residence and where to verify each stage.
1. Main differences
| Point | Mainland private sector | Free zone |
|---|---|---|
| Employment authority | Normally MOHRE | The specific free-zone authority |
| Employer document | MOHRE offer/contract and work permit as applicable | Free-zone offer/contract and permit |
| Immigration | ICP or GDRFA Dubai according to issuing emirate | Still processed through the relevant immigration system, often coordinated by the zone |
| Dispute/help | MOHRE for covered labour matters | Start with the zone's official employment/customer service; jurisdiction can differ |
2. Verify a free-zone offer
- Ask for the exact legal company name, licence number and free-zone name.
- Find that free zone's official website independently and verify its contact details.
- Confirm the company/licence and whether the person contacting you is authorised.
- Read job, salary, benefits, probation, notice and costs before signing.
- Ask for official receipts and track the immigration application on ICP/GDRFA as applicable.
3. Do not confuse these items
- A free-zone company licence is not your residence visa.
- An establishment/immigration card is not an employee work permit.
- An entry/status document is not final residence approval.
- Emirates ID registration does not by itself prove final residence issuance.
- Working outside the permitted employer/activity may require additional authorisationāconfirm first.
4. Before paying or joining
- Recruitment/visa payment demands from a worker require careful verification; never pay a personal account.
- Confirm who provides medical, Emirates ID, insurance and cancellation.
- Keep every offer, contract, receipt and application number.
- If the free-zone name is unknown, do not guess it in a government formāask for the official permit or licence.
Best check: Verify both sidesāthe employment permission with MOHRE/free zone and the residence status with ICP/GDRFA.