Quick answer: A travel agency license in Dubai is a mainland (DET) activity that also needs tourism approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (the former DTCM). The licence portion typically costs AED 12,000–18,000 before office and visas, and a realistic all-in total with a small office and one visa lands around AED 15,000–25,000+. On top of that, DTCM requires a refundable bank guarantee whose amount depends on the activity type (inbound, outbound or travel agent).
Key takeaways
- A travel agency is a DET mainland activity requiring extra tourism sector approval before the licence is issued.
- The DET licence subtotal runs AED 12,000–18,000; the full setup with office and one visa is AED 15,000–25,000+.
- Expect a separate DTCM bank guarantee (refundable) that varies by the category you choose.
- You need office space with an Ejari — a flexi-desk is usually not accepted for this regulated activity.
- Government and tourism fees are set by the authority and change without notice; budget a range, not a single number.
What is a travel agency license in Dubai?
A travel agency license in Dubai is a mainland trade licence issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) that permits you to sell travel, tourism and tour services, with mandatory approval from the department's tourism regulator (long known as DTCM). Because tourism is a regulated sector, you cannot simply pick the activity and pay the standard fee — the application passes through an additional approval layer, and the authority ties a refundable bank guarantee to the licence.
In practice the activity is split into three common categories:
- Inbound tourism (DMC / tour operator): organising tours and services for visitors coming into the UAE.
- Outbound travel: selling flights, hotels and packages to residents travelling abroad.
- Travel agent / ticketing: booking and ticketing as an intermediary.
Which category you choose affects both your approvals and the bank guarantee amount, so decide early. Most new operators start with one category and add the others later.
How much does a travel agency license in Dubai cost?
A travel agency license in Dubai costs roughly AED 15,000–25,000+ all-in for the first year, once you combine the DET licence, an office with an Ejari, and one visa — and this sits on top of a refundable DTCM bank guarantee that is held, not spent.
The table below breaks the mainland licence components using DBM's published 2026 ranges. These are government/authority figures set by DET and can change without notice.
| Component | AED | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name reservation | 620 – 735 | One-off DET fee |
| Initial approval | 120 – 235 | DET pre-approval |
| Trade licence fee (DET) | 8,000 – 12,000 | Core annual licence |
| Market fees | 1,000 – 2,500 | ~5% of Ejari rent value |
| MoJ / MOA notarisation | 900 – 1,500 | For LLC structures |
| Administrative & knowledge/innovation fees | 500 – 1,000 | Fixed DET add-ons |
| Licence subtotal | 12,000 – 18,000 | Before office and visas |
| Ejari / office | 6,000 – 25,000+ | By location and type |
| Establishment card (immigration / GDRFA) | 1,200 – 2,000 | Needed before any visa |
| Per investor or employee visa | 3,500 – 6,000 | Medical, EID and stamping included |
Realistic Dubai mainland total with office and one visa: AED 15,000–25,000+. For a fuller picture of the mainland fee structure, see our guide to Dubai mainland company formation cost.
What about the DTCM bank guarantee?
The DTCM bank guarantee is a refundable security amount you lodge with the department, and its size depends on the travel category you apply for — inbound, outbound or travel agent. We are not quoting a single figure here because the amount is set by the tourism authority and is published on the DET tourism portal at the point of application; attaching the wrong number to your category would mislead your budget. Treat it as a held deposit, not a cost — it is returned when the licence is cancelled in good standing — but you must have the funds available on day one. When DBM prepares your file, we confirm the exact current guarantee for your chosen category before you commit.
Step-by-step: how to get a travel agency license in Dubai
Getting a travel agency license in Dubai follows the standard mainland route with one extra tourism-approval stage. Here is the sequence:
- Choose your activity and legal form. Decide between inbound, outbound or travel agent (or a combination) and your structure — most are an LLC. This decision drives your bank guarantee and approvals.
- Reserve the trade name and get initial approval. DET checks your proposed name and issues pre-approval (AED 620–735 plus AED 120–235).
- Secure office space and register the Ejari. A physical office is required for this regulated activity; a flexi-desk is usually not accepted. Our office solutions team can match a compliant space to your budget.
- Submit for DTCM / tourism approval. The department reviews your activity, premises and the responsible manager's profile. This is the stage that distinguishes a travel agency from a standard trade licence.
- Lodge the bank guarantee. Provide the refundable security the authority requires for your category.
- Notarise the MOA and pay the licence fee. Complete the MoJ/MOA notarisation (AED 900–1,500) and settle the DET licence and market fees.
- Collect the licence, then apply for the establishment card and visas. The immigration establishment card (AED 1,200–2,000) must be issued before any residence visa. Each visa runs AED 3,500–6,000.
If paperwork and government counters are not how you want to spend your launch weeks, our PRO services handle the submissions, approvals and follow-ups on your behalf.
Documents checklist for a Dubai travel agency licence
You will typically need the following to start the application:
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- Passport-size photographs
- Proposed trade names (two or three options)
- Tenancy contract and registered Ejari for the office
- Qualifications/experience of the responsible travel manager (often requested by DTCM)
- No-objection certificate if a shareholder is a UAE resident on another sponsor's visa
- Bank documentation for the refundable guarantee
Requirements can vary with your category and nationality mix, so confirm your exact list before paying any fee.
Travel agency licence: mainland vs free zone
For a travel agency that sells to the UAE public and holds DTCM/DET tourism approval, mainland is the standard and usually necessary route — the regulated tourism activity and bank guarantee are managed through DET, and operating onshore lets you trade directly across Dubai without a local-service agent restriction.
Some free zones issue tourism-related or travel-consultancy licences, which can be cheaper on paper, but they come with trading limitations inside the local market and may not grant the full DTCM-regulated travel agency scope. Before assuming a free zone is the saving it appears to be, read our comparison of mainland vs free zone, then get the activity wording checked against what you actually plan to sell.
| Route | Indicative 2026 AED | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai mainland (DET) + DTCM | 15,000 – 25,000+ | Full-scope travel agencies serving the UAE public |
| Northern Emirates free zone | 5,500 – 9,000 (licence only) | Travel consultancy / support services with limited local trading |
The free zone band is the genuine licence-only floor outside Dubai — do not read it as the price of a DTCM-approved travel agency, which is a different, regulated product.
What ongoing costs should you plan for?
Beyond year-one setup, budget for annual licence renewal, office rent, visa renewals and the maintained bank guarantee. The DET licence renews each year at a fee comparable to the initial licence, and your Ejari and establishment card renew alongside it. Visas run on their own two-year cycle with medical, Emirates ID and insurance each time. Factor in VAT compliance too once you cross the registration threshold — our VAT registration service can confirm whether your turnover requires it. Keeping these dated and paid on time avoids fines that quietly dwarf the savings of a cheaper initial package.
FAQ
How much does it cost to open a travel agency in Dubai?
Opening a travel agency in Dubai costs roughly AED 15,000–25,000+ all-in for the first year — combining the DET licence subtotal of AED 12,000–18,000 with office rent and one visa. On top of that you must lodge a refundable DTCM bank guarantee whose amount depends on your category. All government figures are set by the authority and can change.
Do I need DTCM approval for a travel agency in Dubai?
Yes. A travel agency is a regulated tourism activity, so you need approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (the former DTCM) in addition to your standard DET trade licence. This approval stage reviews your activity category, office and responsible manager, and it is why a travel licence costs and takes more than an ordinary trade licence.
Is the DTCM bank guarantee refundable?
Yes, the DTCM bank guarantee is a refundable security, not a fee — it is held by the authority and returned when you cancel the licence in good standing. The amount depends on whether you register as inbound, outbound or a travel agent, and it is confirmed on the tourism portal at application. You must have the funds available from day one.
Can I get a travel agency licence in a Dubai free zone?
Some free zones offer travel-consultancy or tourism-related licences that are cheaper, but they carry local-market trading restrictions and may not cover the full DTCM-regulated travel agency scope. If you intend to sell travel directly to the UAE public, the mainland DET route with tourism approval is usually required. Check the exact activity wording before choosing on price alone.
How long does it take to set up a travel agency in Dubai?
With documents ready, a Dubai travel agency licence typically takes a few weeks once the tourism approval and bank guarantee are in place. The extra DTCM review stage adds time compared with a standard trade licence. Timelines vary with your category, office readiness and how quickly the bank issues the guarantee, so plan a buffer.
Do I need an office for a travel agency licence in Dubai?
Yes — a travel agency is a regulated activity that requires a physical office with a registered Ejari, and a flexi-desk is generally not accepted. Office rent is a significant variable in your total, ranging from AED 6,000 to 25,000+ depending on location and size. Secure the space before you reach the tourism-approval stage.
Thinking of launching a travel or tourism business in Dubai? DBM has formed 1,000+ companies over 10+ years and holds a 4.9-star rating from 126 Google reviews. We will confirm your exact DTCM category, bank guarantee and all-in cost before you commit — no guesswork. Contact us for a free consultation or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 504 6228, and try our cost calculator to sketch your budget in minutes.