Dubai Tourism License (DTCM)

Description

A Dubai Tourism License (also known as a Travel Agency License) is required for any business operating in the travel, tour, or tourism sector in Dubai. The license is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, DTCM). Tourism activities are tightly regulated due to consumer protection and Dubai's positioning as a global tourism destination — over 19.59 million international visitors in 2025.

There are three main tourism license types: (1) Inbound Tour Operator — organising tours for visitors coming to Dubai, including desert safaris, city tours, conferences, (2) Outbound Tour Operator — organising trips for UAE residents travelling abroad, including holiday packages and international tours, and (3) Travel Agency — booking flights, hotels, visa services, and travel arrangements. Each type has specific requirements including bank guarantees, qualified managers, and DET-compliant office space.

Octavon Global Advisory handles the complete Dubai tourism license setup — activity selection (inbound vs outbound vs travel agency), DET initial approval, trade name reservation, MOA drafting, Ejari registration in DET-compliant premises, bank guarantee coordination, qualified manager appointment, DET tourism activity approval, license issuance, IATA registration support (for travel agencies), and corporate bank account introduction. Standard tourism license setup completes in 14 to 21 working days, longer if bank guarantees or specialised approvals are required.

What's Included

• DET Tourism Trade License (Inbound / Outbound / Travel Agency)
• DET Tourism Activity Approval
• 100% Foreign Ownership
• Operate Across All UAE Emirates
• Memorandum of Association (MOA)
• Trade Name Reservation
• DET Initial Approval
• DET-Compliant Ejari Tenancy Registration
• Bank Guarantee Coordination (where applicable)
• Qualified Manager Appointment Support
• Dubai Chamber of Commerce Membership
• Establishment Card and Immigration Card
• Investor Visa (1 included)
• Medical Fitness Test and Emirates ID
• IATA Registration Support (for travel agencies)
• Corporate Bank Account Introduction

Requirements / Prerequisites

• Minimum 1 shareholder
• Qualified manager with relevant tourism experience
• DET-compliant office (minimum size and specifications based on activity)
• Bank guarantee (typically AED 50,000-100,000 for inbound; higher for outbound)
• Tourism activity selection (Inbound / Outbound / Travel Agency)
• Approved trade name following tourism naming guidelines
• Professional indemnity insurance

Required Documents

• Passport Copy of All Shareholders (6+ months validity)
• Passport-sized Photographs
• UAE Visa Copy and Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
• Tourism Business Plan
• Qualified Manager CV and Tourism Experience Evidence
• 3 Proposed Trade Name Choices
• DET-Compliant Office Lease / Ejari
• Bank Guarantee Letter (issued by UAE bank)
• Professional Indemnity Insurance Certificate
• NOC from Current Sponsor (if applicable)
• Educational Certificates (attested) for tourism manager

Our Process

1. Consultation on tourism activity type and licensing pathway
2. Trade name reservation
3. DET initial approval
4. DET-compliant office search and Ejari registration
5. Bank guarantee preparation and submission
6. Qualified manager appointment
7. DET tourism activity approval submission
8. MOA drafting and notarisation
9. Final DET trade license application
10. License collection
11. Dubai Chamber membership and Establishment Card
12. Investor visa, medical, Emirates ID
13. IATA registration (for travel agencies)
14. Corporate bank account opening

Pricing

• Basic Fee: AED 18,000
• Service Fee: AED 4,500
• VAT (5%): AED 1,125
• Total: AED 23,625

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of Dubai tourism licenses?

Three main types: (1) Inbound Tour Operator — for tours within the UAE for visitors (desert safaris, city tours, MICE), (2) Outbound Tour Operator — for sending UAE residents abroad (international holiday packages), and (3) Travel Agency — for booking flights, hotels, and travel arrangements. Each has different requirements and bank guarantee amounts.

How much does a Dubai tourism license cost?

DET tourism license government fees typically range from AED 16,000-22,000. Adding the mandatory bank guarantee (AED 50,000-100,000+ depending on activity), DET-compliant office, and qualified manager, total first-year setup costs typically range from AED 45,000 to AED 80,000.

How long does Dubai tourism license setup take?

Standard tourism license setup completes in 14 to 21 working days from document submission. Setups involving complex activities, larger bank guarantees, or IATA registration can extend to 4-6 weeks.

What is the bank guarantee for a tourism license?

DET requires a bank guarantee to protect consumers — typically AED 50,000-100,000 for inbound tour operators, AED 100,000-200,000 for outbound tour operators. The bank guarantee is issued by a UAE bank in favour of DET and remains in place throughout the license validity.

Do I need a qualified manager for a tourism license?

Yes. DET requires a qualified manager with documented tourism industry experience (typically 3-5 years). The manager must be appointed before license issuance and is required for ongoing regulatory compliance. We coordinate manager appointments where required.

Can I combine multiple tourism activities under one license?

Yes, in many cases. You can combine inbound and travel agency activities, or outbound and travel agency. Combining all three (inbound + outbound + travel agency) requires meeting the highest tier of bank guarantee and manager qualification requirements.

Is IATA registration required for a Dubai travel agency?

IATA accreditation is not legally required for a DET travel agency license, but it is essential for selling airline tickets directly from major carriers and accessing global GDS systems. We provide IATA registration support as part of our travel agency setup package.