Travel agency license in Dubai

In Dubai, tourism businesses are not licensed like a general trading company. DET licenses and classifies tourism businesses, including tour operators and travel agents, and runs separate permits for safaris, desert camps and tour desks in hotels and malls.

The legal basis for travel companies is Regulation No. 1 of 2009, which amended Regulation No. 6 of 2006 on licensing tourist establishments and travel agencies. Some of its detail has since been overtaken, so treat the points below as the framework and confirm the current checklist with DET before you apply.

The route you take depends on what you sell. A travel agency books flights, hotels and packages. A tour operator runs tours. Safari and desert camp operators have their own permits with fleet and staffing minimums.

Typical costs to set up a tourism business (mainland)

Typical October 2026 ranges from our pricing basis. DET tourism fees, safari vehicle costs and insurance are not included.

What does a travel agency license in Dubai require?

Article 5 of Regulation No. 1 of 2009 sets the general conditions for a tourist establishment. The English translation on the Dubai legislation portal lists these:

• An independent space of not less than 30 sq m for each tourist activity
• Recent certificates of good conduct for both the owner and the managing director
• A qualified manager with a tourism or travel degree and at least 3 years of tourism experience, or a general secondary certificate and at least 5 years of tourism experience
• A signboard at the entrance showing working hours in Arabic and English
• Undertakings to give clients complete and correct information and to respond to complaints within one week

Is a bank guarantee still required?

The 2009 regulation text includes a bank guarantee in favour of the licensing authority, set at AED 100,000 for a tourism and travel agent and a local tour organiser and AED 200,000 for an airline agent and an overseas tour organiser. In January 2019 Dubai announced that the bank guarantee requirement for starting a travel and tour business had been waived and that existing guarantees would be released. Do not budget for a guarantee without asking DET whether any applies to your activity today.

Tour operator, safari and desert camp permits

Running tours has its own approvals. DET's safari vehicle registration page for tour operators lists at least five registered drivers, at least two drivers with first aid certificates, at least five company-owned vehicles fitted with GPS and comprehensive company insurance. Safari drivers must complete DET's driver training before applying to the RTA for a safari driving licence.

A desert camp permit adds a valid safari permit with ten company-registered vehicles (or five plus a 45-seat bus), at least five tour guides on the payroll, and approvals from Civil Defence and Dubai Municipality. Freelance drivers and guides are not accepted: they must be on the company visa.

Tour guides and tour operator counters

A tour guide licence is awarded after completing DET's online programme. A guide licence alone does not let the guide deal with customers directly. If you want an excursions desk in a hotel or mall, DET issues a separate tour operator counter permit.

Steps to open a travel agency in Dubai

1. 1

   Decide your tourism activity

   Travel agency, tour operator, safari operator or a mix. Each has different requirements.

2. 2

   Prepare the owner and manager documents

   Good conduct certificates for the owner and managing director, and attested qualifications for the manager.

3. 3

   Reserve a trade name and apply to DET

   Apply for the tourism activity and obtain initial approval.

4. 4

   Lease the office and register Ejari

   The space must meet DET's per-activity size expectation, so confirm it before signing.

5. 5

   Obtain any extra permits

   Safari vehicle and driver registration, desert camp permits or counter permits where relevant.

6. 6

   Issue the licence, then apply for visas

   Staff visas follow the establishment card.

Documents you will usually need

• Passport copies for owners and partners
• Recent good conduct certificates for the owner and managing director
• Manager's passport, CV and attested qualifications and experience letters
• Ejari tenancy contract for the office
• Insurance and fleet documents, where safari or tour vehicles are used
• Venue letters for any hotel or mall tour desk

Things to weigh up

• {'title': 'Activity decides everything', 'text': 'A booking agency has few external approvals. A safari operator needs fleet, drivers, insurance and staff on the company visa.'}
• {'title': 'Rules have been revised', 'text': 'Parts of the 2009 regulation are old. Ask DET for the current checklist and fees before you commit to a lease.'}
• {'title': 'Counter permits', 'text': 'Hotel and mall desks need their own permit and venue consent.'}