Travel agency licence in Dubai
Travel agencies and tour operators in Dubai need a mainland licence with approval from the Department of Economy and Tourism's tourism side.
Requirements
- Mainland trade licence for travel agency or tour operator activity
- Tourism approval from DET
- A physical office meeting the authority's requirements
- A bank guarantee in favour of the authority, for some activities
- Qualified staff, including a manager with relevant experience
Ticketing
To issue airline tickets directly, agencies apply for IATA accreditation separately, which has its own financial and staffing criteria. Many new agencies start through a consolidator.
Common questions
Can a free zone company operate as a travel agency?
Some free zones license travel-related activities, but serving UAE customers from a shopfront requires the mainland route.
Official sources
We check our guidance against these official sources. Always confirm current fees and rules before acting.