Dubai Education License (KHDA)
Set up your Dubai training institute or education business — DET trade license plus KHDA permit. Corporate training providers, language institutes, professional certification centres, and tutoring businesses.
Description
A Dubai education license combines a DET mainland trade license with a KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) permit to legally deliver structured training, courses, and educational programmes in Dubai. KHDA regulates the education sector across Dubai — schools, universities, training institutes, language centres, and any provider delivering paid structured learning. Operating training without a KHDA permit risks fines, course cancellation orders, and inability to issue recognised certificates.
The scope of activities under KHDA covers corporate training and professional development (PMP, soft skills, leadership), language institutes (English, Arabic, business languages), IT and technical training (cybersecurity, cloud, data, coding bootcamps), creative and arts training, professional certification delivery, exam preparation centres, and tutoring/supplementary education. Schools (K-12) and universities follow a separate, more rigorous KHDA track and are outside the standard training institute scope. KHDA reviews course outlines, trainer credentials, classroom infrastructure, and quality assurance processes before issuing the permit.
Octavon Global Advisory handles complete Dubai education license setup — KHDA scope assessment (training institute vs school vs other), DET activity selection, trade name reservation, MOA drafting, Ejari registration in education-zoned premises with appropriate classroom infrastructure, KHDA permit application, course outline and trainer credential submission, KHDA premises inspection coordination, Civil Defence safety NOC, Establishment Card, investor visa, and corporate bank account introduction. Standard training institute setup completes in 30 to 60 working days driven by KHDA review timeline.
What's Included
- DET Mainland Trade License (Education / Training Activity)
- KHDA Training Institute Permit Coordination
- Course Outline and Trainer Credential Submission
- 100% Foreign Ownership
- Education-Zoned Premises Coordination
- Classroom Infrastructure Compliance Check
- KHDA Premises Inspection Coordination
- Civil Defence Safety NOC
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Trade Name Reservation
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce Membership
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor Visa (1 included)
- Medical Fitness Test and Emirates ID
- Corporate Bank Account Introduction
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Premises in education-compliant location with classroom infrastructure
- Qualified trainers with relevant credentials
- Course outlines and curriculum documentation
- Trainer-to-student ratio meeting KHDA standards
- Civil Defence-compliant fire safety equipment
- Minimum 1 shareholder
- Quality assurance and assessment framework
Required Documents
- Passport Copy of All Shareholders (6+ months validity)
- Passport-sized Photographs
- UAE Visa Copy and Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- 3 Proposed Trade Name Choices
- Education Concept and Course Catalogue
- Detailed Course Outlines (per course)
- Trainer CVs and Credentials (attested)
- Premises Floor Plan and Classroom Layout
- Quality Assurance Framework
- Office / Training Centre Lease (Ejari)
- NOC from Current Sponsor (if applicable)
- Educational Certificates (attested) for Owner
Our Process
- Consultation on KHDA scope (training institute / language centre / professional certification)
- Trade name reservation with DET
- DET initial approval for education activity
- Premises Ejari registration in education-compliant location
- Classroom fit-out and infrastructure setup
- Civil Defence safety NOC
- KHDA permit application with course outlines
- KHDA premises inspection
- Trainer credential verification
- KHDA permit issuance
- DET final trade license
- Establishment Card, visa, medical, Emirates ID
- Corporate bank account opening
Pricing
- Basic Fee: AED 26,000
- Service Fee: AED 5,500
- VAT (5%): AED 1,575
- Total: AED 33,075
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the KHDA permit cover?
KHDA regulates all structured paid education in Dubai. Common scopes: training institutes (corporate / professional / IT / technical / creative), language centres, professional certification delivery (PMP, ITIL, AWS, etc.), exam preparation, and supplementary tutoring. Schools (K-12) and universities follow KHDA's separate, more rigorous licensing track.
Do all training activities need a KHDA permit?
Most do, if they deliver structured paid learning in Dubai. Pure consultancy (advising clients) does not require KHDA. In-house corporate training delivered at client premises has different requirements. Online-only training to UAE learners can have different rules depending on certification scope. We assess your delivery model during consultation.
How long does Dubai education license setup take?
Standard training institute setup typically completes in 30 to 60 working days. The KHDA review (course outlines, trainer credentials, premises inspection) is the longest stage and typically takes 4-8 weeks. Schools and universities take significantly longer (6-18 months).
How much does a Dubai training institute license cost?
Total first-year cost typically ranges from AED 40,000 to AED 90,000 covering DET license, KHDA permit, Civil Defence, Ejari in education-compliant premises, and classroom infrastructure (basic setup). KHDA permit fees alone typically run AED 8,000-25,000 depending on scope and course count.
Can my training institute issue certificates?
Yes, with KHDA-issued certificates of attendance and completion under your registered courses. Internationally recognised certifications (PMP, AWS, Microsoft, Cisco, etc.) require separate accreditation from the issuing body in addition to KHDA permit — we coordinate the registration pathway for accredited providers.
Should I choose mainland (DET + KHDA) or Dubai Knowledge Park free zone?
Mainland with KHDA is better if you target UAE corporate clients across Dubai, need standalone branded premises, and want to deliver public courses with classroom registrations. Dubai Knowledge Park free zone is better if you prefer the campus and community of TECOM's knowledge ecosystem, want 100% foreign ownership convenience, and your delivery is more B2B and remote. We run the comparison against your business model.
What trainer credentials does KHDA require?
KHDA requires evidence that trainers are qualified for the courses they deliver — attested educational certificates relevant to the subject, professional experience documentation, and (for specialised certifications) the train-the-trainer credentials from the issuing body. Trainer credentialing is a key part of the KHDA permit application.