Event management license in Dubai

Events in Dubai work on two levels. The company needs a trade licence that covers event organising. Then each event needs its own permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), applied for through the ePermits portal. A licence does not replace the permit.

DET says a permit is needed to organise entertainment, sport, charity, religious or business events. Venues that run recurring entertainment, ticketed events and private events each follow slightly different rules, summarised below.

This page covers what an organiser needs to set up and what to expect when applying. Event content, performers, venues and security sit on top of these and vary by event.

Typical costs to set up an event company (mainland)

Typical October 2026 ranges from our pricing basis. DET event permit fees, ticketing fees and venue costs are charged separately per event.

What licence does an event management company need in Dubai?

The company needs a Dubai trade licence with an activity that covers event organising, plus a registered office. DET's ePermits portal is then used for each event. Registration on the portal needs a trade licence copy, the passport of the event coordinator, and an NOC and Emirates ID for the system user. DET says account approval takes about 24 hours.

Event permits in Dubai through the DET ePermits portal

Applications go through the portal with the venue NOC and the event manager's passport, and performer details where performers take part. DET says permits are issued within five business days of approval and payment. Amendments are possible until one working day before the event, and a new event type needs a new permit. Organisers registered with DMCC are asked to supply an additional NOC.

• Entertainment, sport, charity, religious and business events need permits
• The trade licence must be valid for at least four weeks before the event start date
• Ticketed events, including free events that need registration or a guest list, need a ticketed event permit
• Venues such as hotels, restaurants and malls that run recurring entertainment need an activity permit (up to three months)
• Private events such as birthdays or weddings need a private activity notification instead

Can a free zone company organise events in Dubai?

DET states that only companies holding a Dubai trade licence can use ePermits, and that free zone companies can only run events inside free zones. An event company that wants to organise events across Dubai therefore needs a mainland licence. A free zone licence can only suit an organiser whose events are held inside free zones.

Temporary structures and food at events

Tents have their own permit: DET's tent permit page says only hotel operators can apply, and the application must include a Civil Defence approval letter or NOC and a Dubai Municipality approval letter. Food stalls at DET festivals receive an NOC for their Dubai Municipality application. If your events serve food, plan these approvals into your timeline.

How to start an event management company in Dubai

1. 1

   Decide your event types

   Entertainment, sport, business, charity and ticketed events carry different permit paths.

2. 2

   Apply for the mainland licence with an event activity

   Reserve the name, obtain DET initial approval, lease an office and register Ejari.

3. 3

   Register on the DET ePermits portal

   Use the trade licence, coordinator passport and system user NOC and Emirates ID.

4. 4

   Secure the venue and its NOC

   The venue NOC is uploaded with each event application.

5. 5

   Apply for the event permit and ticketing approval

   Apply well ahead of the date; urgent fees apply close to the event.

6. 6

   Arrange suppliers, performers and any tent or food approvals

   Collect performer details and the Civil Defence and Dubai Municipality letters where needed.

Documents you will usually need

• Passport copies for owners and partners
• Dubai trade licence with the event activity
• Ejari tenancy contract for the office
• Event coordinator's passport copy
• NOC and Emirates ID for the ePermits system user
• Venue NOC for each event
• Performer passport details, profession and nationality, where performers take part

Things to weigh up

• {'title': 'A licence is not a permit', 'text': 'Every event needs its own permit. Build permit lead time into your client contracts.'}
• {'title': 'Free zone limits', 'text': 'A free zone company can only run events inside free zones, so choose by where your events will be.'}
• {'title': 'Ticketing', 'text': 'Free events with registrations or guest lists also count as ticketed events.'}