Establish a Hospitality Business in Dubai
To start a hospitality business in Dubai, such as a hotel, hotel apartment or F&B venue, you need a licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism, which classifies and permits hospitality, plus food-safety approval from Dubai Municipality for anything serving food. OMC handles the licence, the approvals and the visas.
How to set up a hospitality business in Dubai
- 1
Choose the hospitality activity
Decide whether you run a hotel, hotel apartment, restaurant or other venue. The activity sets the licence, the classification and which approvals you need.
- 2
Register the company and licence
Register the entity and the hospitality activity with the Department of Economy and Tourism, which licenses and classifies the sector in Dubai.
- 3
Secure the classification and approvals
Hotels and hotel apartments are classified by the regulator; food venues need a Dubai Municipality food approval, and premises need Civil Defence sign-off.
- 4
Set up staff visas
Hospitality runs on people. Set up the establishment card and visa quota so you can sponsor front-of-house, kitchen and operations staff.
- 5
Open the corporate bank account
Open a business account to take payments and pay suppliers and staff. We introduce you to the right banking officer.
Why start a hospitality business in Dubai?
Dubai's position as a global tourism and events destination sustains one of the region's busiest hospitality markets, from hotels and hotel apartments to restaurants, cafes and venues. Demand is year-round, driven by visitors and a large resident base. Hospitality is a licensed, classified sector, so the setup is more involved than a plain trade licence, and doing it right protects the guest experience the brand depends on.
Hospitality licence: types and cost
A hospitality business runs on a Department of Economy and Tourism licence for the specific activity, with hotels and hotel apartments classified by the regulator, plus a Dubai Municipality food approval for any F&B and Civil Defence sign-off for the premises. Because the activity, classification and visa quota drive the cost, we price your exact setup rather than publish a figure that would not fit it. Get your exact quote.
Documents required
- Passport copies of the shareholders and the manager
- The proposed trade name and hospitality activity
- A tenancy contract for the premises
- Premises and kitchen plans that meet the safety and food-safety standards
Mainland vs free zone vs offshore: which fits?
| Structure | Ownership | Where it can trade | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland | 100% foreign for most activities | Anywhere in the UAE, and bids for government work | Hotels, hotel apartments and F&B venues serving the Dubai market |
| Free zone | 100% foreign | Within the zone and internationally | Services, consultancy and trading that does not need to sell across the UAE market |
| Offshore | 100% foreign | Holding and international business only, no UAE trade | Holding assets and international structuring, not local operations |
How OMC helps you establish your hospitality business
We have handled UAE company formation since 2007, across more than 1,400 companies. We coordinate the licence, the classification and the Dubai Municipality and Civil Defence approvals so they move as one process, and set up the establishment card and staff visas. We also introduce you to a banking officer so you can take payments from day one.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a hotel licence in Dubai?
You register a company with the Department of Economy and Tourism for the hospitality activity, which classifies hotels and hotel apartments, then obtain the premises and food-safety approvals. OMC handles the licence and the approvals together.
Do I need a food approval for a hospitality business?
Any venue serving food needs a Dubai Municipality food-safety approval on top of the trade licence, and the premises need Civil Defence sign-off. We arrange these alongside the licence.
Can a foreigner own a hospitality business in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign investors can own mainland hospitality businesses. We confirm the ownership rule and the regulator's conditions for the specific activity before you file.
What is hotel classification in Dubai?
The Department of Economy and Tourism classifies hotels and hotel apartments against defined standards, which affects how the property is permitted and marketed. We advise on the classification your property targets.
How long does it take to open a hospitality business in Dubai?
The trade licence is quick, but the classification and the premises and food-safety approvals set the real timeline. We give you a realistic schedule for your activity at the quote stage.
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Ready to set up your hospitality business?
We have handled UAE company formation since 2007, across more than 1,400 companies. Tell us what you are planning and we will map your exact licence, approvals and costs.