Licensing

Tourism License in Dubai

For travel agencies, tour operators and holiday home management.

Fixed price quoted up front
Mainland and every free zone
Licence, visas, banking, one team
Most licences in days, not weeks

A tourism licence covers travel and tourism activity in Dubai: inbound and outbound travel agencies, tour operators, tour guides, and holiday home management. It is regulated by the Department of Economy and Tourism, which applies additional requirements beyond a standard trade licence because the activity involves handling customer money and travel arrangements.

Those extra requirements are what surprise most applicants. Tourism licences commonly require a bank guarantee, a qualified manager with relevant travel industry experience, and premises that meet the regulator's specification. Planning for them at the start avoids a stalled application.

The basics

A tourism licence is a trade licence with a regulated tourism activity attached. Dubai distinguishes between inbound tourism, which is bringing visitors into the UAE and arranging their stay, and outbound tourism, which is selling travel from the UAE to destinations abroad. Many operators hold both.

Related activities such as holiday home management, which covers short term rental of residential units to visitors, sit under the same regulatory umbrella and carry their own permit requirements on top of the trade licence.

Why it works

Access a major tourism market

Dubai receives tens of millions of visitors each year, which supports both inbound operators and holiday home businesses.

Inbound and outbound

Hold both activities on one licence and serve visitors arriving as well as residents travelling abroad.

Holiday home management

Operate short term rentals professionally under a permitted and regulated structure.

Industry accreditation

A licensed agency can pursue IATA accreditation and supplier contracts that unlicensed operators cannot.

Residence visas

Sponsor yourself and your team, with quota linked to your office space.

Credibility and trust

Regulation raises the barrier to entry, which works in favour of operators who meet the standard.

Scope

The tourism category includes the following regulated activities.

  • Inbound tour operator
  • Outbound travel agency
  • Travel ticketing and reservations
  • Tour guide services
  • Holiday home management
  • Desert safari and excursion operator
  • Event and destination management
  • Yacht and boat tour operator, subject to marine approvals
Cost

Tourism licences cost more than standard commercial licences because of the regulatory overlay. Beyond the licence fee, budget for the bank guarantee required by the Department of Economy and Tourism, an office that satisfies the regulator, and a qualified manager. The bank guarantee amount depends on the activity you register.

What makes up the cost

  • Trade name reservation and initial approval
  • Tourism licence fee and DET tourism approval
  • Bank guarantee, amount set by activity
  • Office rent and Ejari registration
  • Qualified manager appointment
  • Establishment card and visas per person
  • Our professional fee, quoted as a fixed amount up front
Paperwork
  • Passport copies for every shareholder and the manager
  • Passport size photographs on a white background
  • Three proposed trade names in order of preference
  • Curriculum vitae and experience certificates for the appointed manager
  • Bank guarantee issued in favour of the Department of Economy and Tourism
  • Tenancy contract and Ejari for premises meeting the regulator specification
  • No objection certificate from your current sponsor where applicable
  • Additional approvals for marine or adventure activities
The process
01

Choose your tourism activities

We confirm whether you need inbound, outbound, holiday home management or a combination, since each carries different requirements.

02

Reserve the trade name

We clear and reserve a name that meets the naming rules for tourism businesses.

03

Initial approval

We obtain initial approval from the Department of Economy and Tourism for the tourism activity.

04

Manager and bank guarantee

We appoint a qualified manager who meets the experience requirement and arrange the bank guarantee in the correct amount.

05

Premises and Ejari

We secure an office that satisfies the regulator specification and register the tenancy through Ejari.

06

Tourism licence issued

Once the guarantee and approvals are in place, the tourism licence is issued.

07

Visas and banking

We process establishment card, residence visas and Emirates ID, then support your corporate bank account application.

Why Layerz

We advise on the structure that fits your activity and customers rather than the package that is easiest to sell. You get a fixed quote with government fees itemised separately, a dedicated advisor from first call to licence, and the same team afterwards for visas, banking, accounting and renewals.

Get a free consultation
Faq

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers on cost, ownership, documents and timelines.

Ask us anything Ask us anything
  • 1. How much does a tourism licence cost in Dubai?
    Typically from around AED 25,000 before the bank guarantee, which is required separately and varies by the activity you register. Office rent and the qualified manager are the other significant costs.
  • 2. Do I need a bank guarantee for a travel agency in Dubai?
    Yes. The Department of Economy and Tourism requires a bank guarantee in its favour for travel and tourism activities. The amount depends on whether the licence covers inbound, outbound or both.
  • 3. Do I need travel industry experience to get a tourism licence?
    The company must appoint a manager with relevant travel industry experience and supporting certificates. The shareholders themselves do not all need that background.
  • 4. Can I run holiday homes with a tourism licence?
    Holiday home management is a regulated activity under the tourism umbrella and requires its own permit alongside the trade licence. We handle both applications together.
  • 5. How long does a tourism licence take?
    Usually 3 to 6 weeks, because the bank guarantee, manager approval and premises inspection run alongside the standard licensing process.
Keep reading

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Trade anywhere in the UAE, with up to 100% foreign ownership.

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Commercial License

The standard licence for buying, selling and distributing goods.

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Professional License

For consultants, agencies and service businesses selling expertise.

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Enquire about your tourism license

Tell us what you are planning and we will reply with the right structure and a fixed quote.