How to Open a Travel Agency in Dubai: Costs, Process, and Benefits 2026
Dubai welcomes over 17 million tourists yearly for business meetings, luxury hotels, shopping malls, cultural sites, and desert adventures. This makes opening a travel agency in Dubai a wise business choice with high profits. With a correct tourism license in Dubai, the lowest business taxes and countless benefits and perks, now is the best time to plan and initiate a travel agency business in Dubai.
If you want to know how to start a travel agency in UAE, follow the legal steps for a travel agency license in Dubai. This guide from licensed UAE business experts covers the cost to open a travel agency in Dubai, travel agency business setup in Dubai, DTCM travel agency license, and more.
Why Dubai is a Top Choice to Start a Travel Agency Business?
Dubai connects Asia, Europe, and Africa through DXB airport, which is considered the world’s busiest airport. The government backs tourism with easy rules. Travel agency business in Dubai grows fast due to these facts:
- 17.55M visitors Jan-Nov 2025 (+5%)
- Hotels 79% full, rates AED 531/night (+6%)
- Business travel up 35% yearly
- Zero personal income tax
- Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership
Inbound and outbound travel agency Dubai services boom. Expats book Europe trips. Tourists want Burj Khalifa tours. Corporate travel agency Dubai serves oil firms and conferences. UAE tourism hit $70B in 2025.
Services Your Dubai Travel Agency Can Offer
Starting a travel agency in Dubai lets you help customers plan easy trips. Handle tickets, hotels, visas – all details. License picks your work:
| Service | License Needed | Example |
| Airline tickets | Travel agency license in Dubai | DXB to London |
| Desert safaris | Inbound and outbound travel agency Dubai | Local tours |
| Visa help | DTCM travel agency license | Tourist visas |
| Corporate travel agency in Dubai | Full license | Team conferences |
Inbound and outbound travel agencies in Dubai are both fine. Inbound brings tourists. Outbound sends locals abroad. Each needs a tourism license in Dubai.
Step-by-Step: How to Start a Travel Agency in UAE
Step 1: Choose Your Travel Service Type
First step in travel agency business setup Dubai: pick an activity. Wrong choice delays travel agency license Dubai by weeks.
Options:
- Travel Agency (tickets + hotels + tours)
- Inbound Tour Operator (Dubai safaris)
- Outbound Tour Operator (Europe packages)
- Corporate travel agencies in Dubai (business trips)
This sets the costs to open a travel agency in Dubai, office size (30 sqm min), and approvals. The corporation needs the same DTCM travel agency licence.
Step 2: Mainland vs Free Zone – Pick Smart
Decide location to initiate a travel agency in Dubai. Each fits different goals.
| Feature | Mainland | Free Zone |
| UAE Customers | Yes – All access | Limited – Need distributor |
| DTCM travel agency license | Required | Zone handles |
| Government Contracts | Yes – Tenders | No |
| Office | 30 sqm Ejari | Flexi-desk cheap |
Mainland: Best for inbound and outbound travel agency Dubai. Serve hotels direct.
Free Zone: Fast setup, tax-free for 5 years. Suitable for online sales. Mainland standard for tourism.
Step 3: Reserve Your Trade Name
UAE laws protect names. Rules:
- No religion, politics, or rude words
- Match travel activity
- “International” adds AED 5K fee
Submit 3 options to DED. Approved name holds 30 days for the travel agency license Dubai filing.
Step 4: Apply for Trade License
Core permit: Travel agency license in Dubai.
Process:
- DED portal signup
- Pick commercial (tickets) or professional (consulting)
- Pay AED 10K-20K fees
- Get an establishment card
Step 5: Secure DTCM/DET Tourism Approval
DTCM travel agency licence (now DET) regulates all travel. Submit:
- 30 sqm office lease (Ejari)
- Manager CV + degree
- Civil Aviation NOC (tickets)
- Bank guarantee AED 50K-100K
DET site inspection checks the office. Approval in 7-14 days meets Dubai tourism and business requirements.
Step 6: Rent Office & Hire Manager
Dubai tourism requirements: Physical office mandatory.
- Mainland: 30+ sqm, Ejari registered
- Free zone: Flexi-desk OK
Manager must:
- Tourism degree + 3 years of experience
- Clean police record (6 months old)
- UAE visa ready
No manager = no travel agency license in Dubai.
Step 7: Employee Visas & Bank Account
Post-license:
Visas (30-day deadline):
- Establishment card filing
- Medical test + Emirates ID
- AED 4K-7K per person
Bank Account:
- Trade license + DTCM OK
- Lease + business plan
- Takes 2-6 weeks (Emirates NBD fastest for travel firms)
Dubai Tourism License Types Explained
Tourism license in Dubai comes in 3 main types. Pick the right one.
Travel Agency License in Dubai
Complete services: Flights, hotels, visas, tours.
Requirements: Civil Aviation NOC, 30 sqm office, a manager’s degree, police clear. AED 15K-25K total.
Inbound Tourism License
Local tours (safaris, Burj Khalifa). Hotels + events. Travel insurance mandatory.
Outbound Tourism License
International trips for Dubai residents. High expat demand.
| License | Services | Key Document | Cost |
| Travel Agency License in Dubai | All | Civil Aviation NOC | AED 15K-25K |
| Inbound | Local tours | Insurance | AED 10K-20K |
| Outbound | Overseas | Manager CV | AED 12K-22K |
Free zones speed travel agency business in Dubai with 100% ownership.
Cost to Open a Travel Agency in Dubai (2026 Breakdown)
The cost to open a travel agency in Dubai ranges from AED 70 K to 150 K in the first year.
| Item | AED Range | Notes |
| Travel agency license in Dubai | 10,000-20,000 | DED yearly |
| DTCM travel agency license | 5,000-15,000 | Tourism approval |
| Office Rent | 15,000-50,000 | 30 sqm min |
| Bank Guarantee | 50,000-100,000 | Refundable |
| Visas (per person) | 4,000-7,000 | Medical + ID |
| Misc (NOC/docs) | 5,000-10,000 | Agent fees |
| TOTAL | 70K-150K | Varies by zone |
Free zone saves 20% on rent. Renewals AED 12K-25K yearly.
Dubai Tourism Business Requirements – Must Follow
DET enforces Dubai tourism business must-haves. Non-compliance = AED 10K+ fines.
Top 5 Rules:
- Office: 30 sqm mainland, Ejari lease
- Manager: Degree + experience + police clear
- Bank Guarantee: AED 50K+ for refunds
- Civil Aviation NOC: Tickets only
- Visas: File 30 days or AED 5K fine each
Travel Agency License Renewal Dubai Process
Renew your travel agency license in Dubai every year to keep legal operations. Dubai’s DET (formerly DTCM) manages this for tourism businesses. Missing the deadline brings AED 100/day fines up to AED 10K or license suspension. Start the travel agency licence renewal Dubai process 30 days before expiry for smooth results.
Clear Renewal Steps:
- Log in to DET eServices or the “Invest in Dubai” portal: Check the license status first.
- Update Ejari tenancy contract (must be valid 3+ months): Mainland requires this; free zones verify flexi-desk agreements.
- Submit the following documents: copies of the current licenses, passports or Emirates IDs of the owners/managers, landlord NOC, activity approvals (Civil Aviation NOC, RTA, if applicable to transport).
- Make the payment online (Base fee AED 10,000 to 20,000 + knowledge fee AED 1,000): Send an SMS to 6969 for the auto-renew payment link.
- In 1 to 3 business days, you will receive a digitally renewed license: If you require, you can print hard copies at Amer centres.
Corporate Travel Agency in Dubai Opportunity
A corporate travel agency in Dubai focuses on business clients and teams. It plans trips for companies, conferences, and groups. This niche brings steady income all year with repeat contracts.
Key Services Offered:
- Book employee flights and hotels for work travel.
- Arrange conference venues, travel, and events.
- Manage team and partner group bookings.
- Assist with execs’ urgent visa needs and changes.
Why It Booms Now:
Business travel spend in the UAE increased by 20% in 2025 and is forecasted to rise by 20% or more in 2026. Musafir.com experienced a 35% increase in corporate bookings. There is increased corporate travel between Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha as it relates to M&A activity, related projects and summits. The energy, technology, and real estate sectors primarily drive the demand.
Market Facts:
- Business travel in the UAE is expected to reach 54 billion in 2024 and 94 billion by 2030, representing an 8.8% CAGR.
- Conferences and off-sites account for 35% of bookings.
- Global executives looking for trustworthy agents are attracted to Dubai hubs like DIFC.
Common Mistakes – Avoid These Traps
Starting a travel agency business setup in Dubai goes wrong fast without care. These top errors waste AED 10K+ and months. Learn them to get your travel agency license in Dubai smoothly.
- Wrong License Type: Choose a full travel agency license in Dubai when inbound only fits. Check DTCM travel agency licence rules on day one. Fix adds AED 10K and 4 weeks delay.
- Skip Office Size Check: Mainland demands 30 sqm minimum. Tiny space fails DET inspection. Upgrade rent or switch free zone flexi-desk.
- No Bank Guarantee: Forget AED 50K-100K deposit. DET stops tourism licensing in Dubai. Prep client refund proof before filing.
- Miss Civil Aviation NOC: Ticket sales require this first. No NOC blocks all flights. Get the Arabic sponsor letter early.
- Bad Company Name: Skip “global” fees or use rude words. DED rejects instant. Check the naming portal rules upfront.
Benefits of Travel Agency Business Setup in Dubai
Dubai offers huge wins for travel agencies. The city draws millions of tourists yearly with low risks and high cash flow. Travel agency business setup in Dubai taps into a booming market with easy rules and tax perks.
Global Tourism Surge
Dubai tops TripAdvisor awards. Over 12 million visitors hit in 2023’s first nine months alone. Crowds from India, GCC countries, and even Europe frequent the Burj Khalifa and visit the Dubai Mall. The post-pandemic resurgence ensures that Dubai’s travel agencies will continue to get consistent clients for both inbound and outbound travel.
Flexible, Tax-Friendly Policies
The absence of a personal income tax means that you keep thousands of dollars in your pocket. The corporate tax is set at a consistent 9% and has been so since 2023, but travel agencies in free zones are often exempt from it. Office-related expenses, including marketing and VAT, are recoverable. Adjusted to grow your business, more funds can be allotted for advertising and hiring, and less for tax payments.
Expanding Opportunities
Tourism increased visitor numbers for the second consecutive year in 2022. With 800+ hotels in operation at 79% of capacity, DXB airport is at the top of the world rankings. The government further reduces obstacles to efficient travel. Expats purchase outbound travel, while city tours are booked by visitors. 100% company ownership and expeditious visa issuance are benefits of free zones.
Diverse Customer Base
Wealthy tourists, budget-oriented travel groups, and corporate travel cohesion are easily served. Dubai is a yearly travel destination for many Indians. Provide lavish offerings, desert safaris, and luxury travel packages. Airline partners share low rates and special offers.
Top Business Support
Prime banks open accounts fast. Lawyers handle DTCM travel agency licence filings. High-speed internet powers online bookings. Network at Arabian Travel Market events. Partner with hotels for ready packages. Hire skilled staff who speak many languages.
Is It a Right Choice to Start a Travel Agency in the UAE? Profit Math Says Yes
- Cost of a travel agency in Dubai: AED 90K-200K.
- Break-even: 50 clients/month = 6-12 months.
- 2026 Outlook: UAE tourism $70B+. Business travel +35%. 40K licenses issued.
- No sponsors in free zones. Plan inbound and outbound travel agency Dubai services with high ROI.
You can contact the team of Company Formation in Dubai for a streamlined process. They are a licensed team of UAE PRO Services with over 12+ years of experience.
FAQs – Top Answers for Travel Agency License in Dubai
Q1: Does the Civil Aviation NOC expire during the Dubai travel agency license renewal?
Yes. NOC valid for 6 months only. Renew Civil Aviation approval yearly with travel agency license renewal Dubai. Submit a fresh Arabic sponsor letter or DET auto-rejects.
Q2: Can free zone travel agencies issue tourist visas without DTCM approval?
No. All visa services need a DTCM travel agency license regardless of zone. Free zone handles trade license only – tourism is separate via the DET portal.
Q3: Why does DET require safari guest reports even for ticket-only agencies?
Dubai tourism business requirements track ALL tourism activity. Even pure ticketing reports zero safaris yearly. Miss report = travel agency license renewal Dubai denied.
Q4: Must a corporate travel agency in Dubai post a higher bank guarantee for conferences?
Yes. Corporate travel agencies in Dubai with 50+ group bookings need an AED 150K guarantee vs an AED 50K standard. DET scales by volume at setup.
Q5: Does the Ejari lease need an Arabic translation for the mainland travel agency inspection?
Yes. English Ejari fails DET site visit. The landlord shows a 30 sqm+ space in two languages doc. Exempt free zone flexi-desks.
Conclusion
Dubai is a great place to set up a travel agency business. You can set up an agency in record time in Dubai by following these steps: getting a travel agency license in Dubai, DTCM travel agency license approvals, an office of 30 sqm+, a bank guarantee, and a decent manager.
Don’t pick the wrong type of license to avoid a Civil Aviation NOC. There are 17M+ visitors a year, plus no income tax and a high demand for travel agencies in Dubai. There is no better time to set up for success. Start today!
Contact the team of Company Formation in Dubai for more help!
