Cross listing (or secondary listing) is a type of listing whereby the share of a company is listed on one foreign/ offshore exchange or more, in addition to its domestic exchange. To be cross-listed (cross-listed company), a company must meet the requirements of all the listing exchanges, domestic and foreign. For a proper cross-listing, an issuer starts with developing a share structure in line with the regulations of its jurisdiction, the rules and regulations of each stock exchange where its shares will be listed and traded (including respective securities laws).

On the other hand, dual listing involves listings on two exchanges or more, which are distinct from each other in terms of laws and requirements and geographic positioning. This type of listing creates duality as to the distinct or substantially different requirements of listing and trading on each respective exchange. A dual listed company (DLC) goes public on two exchanges or multiple venues, which are all considered primary: each listing venue is a primary exchange that operates under its own norms and requirements.

In a cross-listing, the unified features of the listing exchanges are meant to help holders of a cross-listed shares to mitigate currency risk, enhance liquidity and price discovery of the shares, and enlarge the universe of investors and market players interested in its shares.

The objectives of dual listing may include seeking better trading activities and market visibility, particularly if trading takes place at distinct time zones. A different exchanges have different listing categories for companies looking to list their shares on a dual basis, with each category providing its unique array of benefits and requirements. In addition to the increased market visibility, dual-listed securities can gain access to a wider universe of investors and market players with different financial requirements.