Work · people search “free zone vs mainland Dubai”
Free zone or mainland?
Who sponsors you, which court, and whether you can sell onshore. Workers feel this as HR and visa, not as a seminar.
Mainland: MOHRE, standard labour law, company can generally trade in the UAE market. Free zones (DMCC, Meydan, IFZA, etc.): the zone is the registrar; some still use MOHRE visas, some run their own.
DIFC and ADGM are common-law islands with different employment rules (DEWS instead of classic gratuity in DIFC). As an employee you care about: who is on your visa, which clinic is on the insurance, and which office you complain to.
Practical notes, not official law. Confirm on ICP, MOHRE, RTA, KHDA and your employer before you act.