Dubai Education License (KHDA)

A Dubai education licence pairs a trade licence with a KHDA permit, the approval every private school, training institute and education service in Dubai needs before it starts teaching. We help you choose the right permit and take you from initial approval to opening.

Description

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) regulates private education in Dubai: early childhood centres, private schools, higher education institutions and training institutes. Whatever kind of education business you plan, you will hold two things: a trade licence from DET on the mainland (or from a Dubai free zone), and an Educational Services Permit from KHDA. Free zone institutes are not exempt; KHDA's training institute service accepts applications from both mainland and free zone companies.

Most of our clients open a training institute: corporate and professional training, language courses, IT and technical training, exam preparation and tutoring. The route starts with trade name reservation and initial approval from the licensing authority. You then apply to KHDA with a list of the courses you will offer, with names and descriptions. If you prepare students for professional certification exams, you need approval from the awarding body, and specialised courses need the relevant authority's approval, for example the Dubai Health Authority for medical or cosmetic training. After KHDA's review you complete the trade licence and enter its details on KHDA's portal to receive the permit. KHDA gives you six months from your initial approval to finish this; if the permit is not issued in that time, the initial approval lapses.

Your premises need to suit teaching: classrooms that match your course plan, a registered lease and a Civil Defence safety certificate. This rules out a flexi desk for a training institute. On the mainland this follows the usual Dubai mainland company formation steps; if you prefer an education cluster, Dubai Knowledge Park setup is the free zone alternative, and the KHDA permit still applies there.

The permit lasts one year and is renewed annually, at least 30 days before it expires. KHDA also approves your advertising before it runs, and adding new courses later is a separate amendment. If you only want to run an occasional course as a business that is not a training institute, KHDA has a separate training course authorisation for non-training institutes.

Private schools and early childhood centres follow a longer, more demanding route. For a school, KHDA reviews an investor declaration and an academic plan, interviews the investors and their education experts, and issues initial approval, which must come at least nine months before the academic year you plan to open. Only then does the commercial licence follow. If you are planning a school, talk to us early so the timeline is realistic.

Once licensed, you can hire trainers through our Dubai employment visa service. The cost depends on the type of permit, the number of course activities, the premises and the number of visas. Message us on WhatsApp or live chat for a written quote.

What's Included

Advice on the right KHDA permit: training institute, early childhood centre or private school
Choice between mainland (DET) and a Dubai free zone such as Dubai Knowledge Park
Trade name reservation and initial approval
Preparation of the course list and descriptions for KHDA
Guidance on awarding-body and other authority approvals for specialised courses
KHDA permit application on the portal and follow-up
Premises check, Ejari and Civil Defence certificate coordination
Trade licence issuance and entry of licence details with KHDA
Establishment card, investor visa and trainer visas
Reminders for annual KHDA permit renewal

Requirements / Prerequisites

A defined education activity and course list
Premises with classrooms suitable for the courses (not a flexi desk)
Qualified trainers or teaching staff for each course
Awarding-body approval if you prepare students for professional certification exams
Approval from the relevant authority for specialised courses (for example DHA for medical or cosmetic training)
For schools: an academic plan and an education team for KHDA's review

Required Documents

Passport copies of all shareholders, plus visa and Emirates ID if UAE resident
Three proposed trade names
List of course names and descriptions
Awarding-body approval letters for certification preparation courses
Authority approvals for specialised courses
CV and attested qualifications of the institute manager
Trainer CVs and qualifications
Tenancy contract (Ejari) and Civil Defence safety certificate
For free zone institutes: trade name reservation and initial approval certificates from the free zone

Our Process

Consultation on education activity, permit type and mainland or free zone
Trade name reservation and initial approval
Course list, approvals and KHDA application on the portal
Premises lease, fit-out, Ejari and Civil Defence certificate
Trade licence issuance
Licence details entered on KHDA's portal
KHDA Educational Services Permit issued
Visas for owners and trainers
Advertising approval and annual permit renewal

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a KHDA permit to run training courses in Dubai?

Yes, if you are a training institute delivering courses in Dubai. KHDA also has a separate training course authorisation for businesses that are not training institutes but want to run a course. We check your delivery model and tell you which applies.

Can I open a training institute in a Dubai free zone without KHDA?

No. Free zone training institutes in Dubai also apply to KHDA for the Educational Services Permit, attaching their free zone trade name and initial approval certificates.

How long does it take to get a KHDA training institute permit?

KHDA processes the permit within 8 working days once it has every required document. The full setup takes longer because it includes initial approval, premises and the trade licence. KHDA allows six months from initial approval to finish.

How much does it cost to open a training institute in Dubai?

It depends on the number of course activities on your KHDA permit, the trade licence, your premises and the number of visas. Send us your course plan on WhatsApp and we will give you a written quote.

How long is a KHDA permit valid?

One year. You renew it every year, at least 30 days before it expires.

Do I need KHDA approval for my advertising?

Yes. KHDA approves training institute advertising, including social media posts and email campaigns, before it is published.

How do I open a private school in Dubai?

Schools go through KHDA's school permit process: an investor declaration, an academic plan, an interview with KHDA, and initial approval at least nine months before the planned academic year. The commercial licence follows after that. Talk to us early, as this is a long process.

Can my institute issue certificates?

Your institute issues its own certificates for its approved courses, and KHDA offers an attestation service for training institute certificates. Internationally recognised certifications are issued by their awarding bodies, which is why KHDA asks for the awarding body's approval.