How to Open a Travel Agency in Dubai: 2026 Guide 

Dubai is one of the world’s top travel hubs. Millions of tourists visit every year for business, luxury, shopping, culture, and adventure. This makes opening a travel agency in Dubai an innovative and profitable business idea.

If you are planning to start a travel agency in the UAE, you must follow clear legal steps. You need the proper travel agency license in Dubai, approvals from tourism authorities, and a proper business setup.

This complete guide explains how to start a travel agency in Dubai, the cost to open a travel agency in Dubai, license types, approvals, and ongoing rules.

Why Dubai Is a Great Place for a Travel Agency

Dubai is built for tourism. The city connects Asia, Europe, and Africa. It has one of the busiest airports in the world. The government actively supports tourism businesses.

Key reasons Dubai is ideal for travel agencies:

• Millions of tourists visit every year
• Strong demand for inbound and outbound travel agency Dubai services
• No personal income tax
• Modern infrastructure and digital systems
• Easy business setup compared to many countries

Because of this, the travel agency business setup in Dubai continues to grow every year.

What Does a Travel Agency Do in Dubai?

A travel agency in Dubai helps people plan fun and easy trips. They make travel simple for customers by handling all the details. Depending on your type of license, there are various valuable services your agency can offer, including the following:

• Issue airline tickets for flights to any destination.
• Book accommodation of all categories and price ranges.
• Provide sightseeing packages and activities at the top attractions of Dubai.
• Assist with visa paperwork for travellers.
• Handle the travel arrangements for business teams.
• Manage travel (both inbound and outbound) for the locals and visitors.

Agencies in Dubai are permitted to operate inbound (entering) and outbound (leaving) travel services; however, in order to get started, each type of travel service must obtain the proper governmental approvals. This ensures that your business operates legally and safely.

Step-by-Step Process of How to Open a Travel Agency in Dubai

Step 1: Select Your Travel Business Activity

The first step of setting up a travel agency in Dubai is selecting the appropriate travel activity.

You can choose:

• Travel Agency (complete services)
• Inbound Tour Operator
• Outbound Tour Operator
• Corporate Travel Agency in Dubai

Your choice affects:

• License type
• Required approvals
• Office size
• Capital requirements

Choosing the wrong activity is a common reason for delays.

Step 2: Determine Company Registration Location

You need to decide where to register your company.

Mainland Travel Agency:  

• Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) licensed  
• Can serve UAE customers  
• Can partner with the government and hotel partners  
• DTCM travel agency license approval is required  
• Best suited for agencies serving tourists in Dubai.

Free Zone Travel Agency

• Licensed by the free zone authorities
• Activities are limited
• An enterprise in Dubai’s mainland may require additional permits
• For tourism activities, the mainland setup is more customary.

Step 3: Reservation of Company Name

Your proposed company name is subject to the UAE’s federal legislation.

These specify:

• No presence of religious, offensive or disrespectful terminologies.
• No form of political references. 
• It must relate to the business activity. 
• Terms like “international” may cause you to incur additional costs.

Once approvals are granted, the name is put on hold to facilitate the subsequent licensing applications.

Step 4: Application Submission for Dubai Travel Agency License

Travel Agency License is one of the most principal business operational permits you must have.

This license entails:

• Submission of application to DET
• Selection of either a commercial or a professional license
• Payment of the corresponding government fees
• Nonetheless, having the license is not enough. You need to secure tourism approval as well.  

Step 5: License Acquisition from DTCM

Travel Agency companies are regulated by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). The following is more professionally and clearly stated. 

When applying for a DTM travel agency license, you probably have to provide:

• An office (with minimum standards)
• An appointed manager
• NOC from Civil Aviation Authority (for ticketing)
• A bank guarantee (depends on business activity)

This verifies your capacity for Dubai tourism business requirements setup compliance.

Step 6: Obtain An Office Space

Having a physical office is a requirement for travel agencies in Dubai.

Office requirements:

• Size requirement (usually 30 sqm)
• Must be Ejari registered
• No, they don’t accept virtual offices
• Your office location will affect your approvals and renewals.

Step 7: Hire a Qualified Manager

Travel agencies are required to have a qualified manager.

Manager criteria:

• Has a background in tourism or travel
• Has the necessary educational qualifications
• No criminal record
• The manager has to be approved for the license to be issued.

Step 8: Apply for Employee Visas

After you are licensed, you may begin to sponsor visas.

This involves:

• Establishment card
• Immigration 
• Employee visa

Everyone on your team, including sales, managers, and staff, will need visas.

Step 9: Open a Business Account

You need to open a corporate account in a UAE bank.

Banks may ask for:

• Trade license
• DTCM approval
• Office lease
• Business plan
• Shareholder documents

Banking can take 2–6 weeks.

Types of Tourism License in Dubai

Dubai offers special licenses for travel businesses. Each type fits different kinds of work in tourism. Pick the right one based on your plans. All come from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or Dubai Tourism. 

Here are the main types:

Travel Agency License in Dubai

This lets you act as a full travel agent. You can book flights, hotels, and tours. It covers visa help and ticket sales, too. Need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Civil Aviation. Office space must be at least 30 square meters. Submit passports, the manager’s degree, and a clean police record for the owner and manager.

Inbound Tourism License in Dubai

Perfect for bringing visitors into Dubai. Plan local tours, desert safaris, and city sights. Arrange hotels and events for tourists. Great for showing off Dubai’s landmarks like Burj Khalifa. Includes travel insurance to cover risks.

Outbound Tourism License in Dubai

This helps Dubai residents travel out. Booking overseas trips, flights, and hotels. Arrange international tours and travel packages. Significant demand from expats seeking to go on holiday.

Every license involves DED, name a trade, and payment post visa and bank account. Free zones expedite the process with complete 100% ownership. Align your license with your offerings to remain compliant and accelerate your pace of expansion.

Cost to Open a Travel Agency in Dubai (2026)

The cost to open a travel agency in Dubai depends on many factors.

Estimated Costs Breakdown

Total estimated cost: AED 70,000 to AED 150,000+

Costs vary by activity and scale.

Dubai Tourism Business Requirements You Must Follow

Dubai sets clear rules for tourism firms. These come from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, old DTCM). Follow them to stay legal and safe. Breaking rules leads to fines or shutdown. Key needs match license type.

• Office Space Rules: Mainland agencies need 30+ square meters. Ejari tenancy contract required. Free zones allow flexi-desks. Show floor plan during site check.
• Staff and Manager Needs: Hire a qualified manager. Degree and experience proof. All get visas in 30 days. Clean police record for owner, manager, and staff. Drivers need an RTA permit and DET training.
• Bank Guarantee: Post AED 50K-100K. Covers client refunds. Refundable after a good record.

Extra Approvals:

• Civil Aviation NOC for tickets.
• RTA for transport.
• Business plan for big ops.
• Annual DET refresher course.

Ongoing Duties: Renew license yearly. Report guest numbers. Keep insurance. Track safaris via the ePermit portal. UAE-wide rules apply too.

Penalties for Miss: Fines AED 10K+. License cancelled if repeated. Use DET ePermit for easy apps.

Steps to Renew Your Travel Agency License in Dubai

Travel agency license renewal Dubai should be done every year to keep operating legally. Dubai’s DET (old DTCM) handles this for tourism firms. Miss the date, and you face fines or a shutdown. Start 30 days before expiry for a smooth process.

Key Renewal Steps:

• Log in to DET eServices or the Invest in Dubai portal. Check the license status first.
• Update Ejari tenancy (valid 3+ months). Mainland needs this; free zones check flexi-desk.
• Submit docs: old license copy, passports/Emirates ID of owner/manager, NOC from landlord, activity approvals (Civil Aviation, RTA if transport).
• Pay fees online (AED 10K-20K + extras). Auto-renew via SMS to 6969 for the fast link.
• Get a digital license in 1-3 days. Print at centers if needed.

Corporate Travel Agency in Dubai

A corporate travel agency in Dubai specializes in handling business clients.  

The services offered are:  

• Management of employee travel  
• Travel arrangements for conferences  
• Booking for groups  

This particular business model ensures consistent and steady income over a long period of time.

Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Is Better?

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Opening a Travel Agency in Dubai

• Wrong License Type: Pick a travel agent when you need inbound only. Check DTCM travel agency license rules first. Fix costs an extra AED 10K and weeks of delay.
• Skip Office Size Check: Mainland needs 30 sqm min. Small space fails site visit. Rent a bigger one or pick a free zone flexi-desk.
• No Bank Guarantee: Forget AED 50K-100K post. DET blocks the license. Save the client’s refund proof upfront.
• Miss NOC from Civil Aviation: Ticket sales need this. No NOC means no flights booked. Get it early with the request letter.
• Bad Company Name: Use words like “global” without fees. Or offensive terms. DED rejects. Check naming rules on the portal.

Benefits of Starting a Travel Agency in Dubai

Dubai is a bright spot to start a travel agency. The city pulls millions of tourists each year. You tap into big money with low risks. Here are key wins that help your business grow fast.

Global Tourism Boom

Dubai ranks top in TripAdvisor awards. Over 12 million visitors came in the first nine months of 2023 alone. Icons like Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall draw crowds from India, GCC, and Europe. Post-pandemic rebound means steady clients for inbound tours.

Tax-Friendly Setup

No personal income tax. Corporate tax at 9% since 2023, but travel firms often dodge it with free zone perks. Reclaim VAT on costs. Customs exemptions help import gear cheap. More cash for ads and staff.

Huge Market Growth

Tourism doubled the number of visitors in 2022. Over 800 hotels are ready. DXB airport tops world charts. The government cuts red tape for easy travel. Expats need outbound trips too. Free zones give 100% ownership and quick visas.

Easy Client Mix

Serve wealthy tourists, budget groups, and business travelers. Indians flock here. Offer luxury, safaris, or corporate deals. Partners with airlines give low rates and exclusives.

Strong Business Help

Top banks, lawyers, and tech are ready. Fast internet for online bookings. Network at events like the Arabian Travel Market. Team up with hotels for packages. Skilled multilingual staff easy to hire.

Is Opening a Travel Agency in Dubai Worth It?

Based on the most up-to-date data, reports suggest that from January to November 2025, Dubai recorded 17.55 million visitors, an increase of 5%. With business travel increasing by 35% each year, the increasing demand for outbound business travel is adding new customers needing flight packages, safaris, and corporate travel. IATA estimates that in 2026, Dubai is expected to earn $6.8 billion profit from the airline business.

The start-up cost for a new travel business in Dubai is AED 90, 000 – 200, 000. With the travel agency having around 50 customers each month, the company can break even in 6 – 12 months. There is no income tax to be paid, and the travel business located in the free zone does not need to have local sponsors. 

The UAE tourism economy has increased by $70 billion, and new medical services and RV products have entered the market. With 40,000 new business licenses issued, the government of Dubai has also increased the number of travel market business leads for the Arabian Travel Market. Plan right to beat competition—it’s worth it.

You can contact the team of Business setup experts in Dubai for a detailed process. They are licensed Business setup consultants in Dubai with over 12+ years of experience in streamlining the Business setup in Dubai for thousands of people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can your travel agency in Dubai sell airline tickets without a Civil Aviation NOC?

No. All ticket sales need this approval first. Skip it, and DET blocks your license. Apply with an Arabic request letter via the sponsor. Takes 1-2 weeks.

Q2: Does a mainland travel agency need a 30 sqm office even for online-only bookings?

Yes. DET site check requires physical space with Ejari. Flexi-desk fails mainland. Free zones allow a virtual office for web sales.

Q3: What’s the refund rule if a client cancels a Dubai safari you booked?

Bank guarantee (AED 50K+) covers it. DET mandates a 7-day full refund policy. Keep records or lose license at renewal.

Q4: Can free zone travel agencies bid on Dubai government tourism contracts?

No. Mainland only for tenders. Free zones limit zone clients unless you add a mainland branch later (extra AED 20K setup).

Q5: Do staff visas for travel agency managers need a DTCM training cert before approval?

Yes, for tour guides and drivers. Manager needs a degree + police clear + refresher course yearly. File all in 30 days or AED 5K fine per person.

Final Thoughts

Starting a travel business requires planning, approvals, and compliance. But with the proper guidance, the travel agency business setup in Dubai becomes smooth and scalable.

If you want to know how to start a travel agency in UAE the right way, expert support can save months of delays and extra costs.

Contact Business setup consultants in Dubai for more help!