The United Arab Emirates is a popular tourist destination all around the world. This has attracted a large number of tourists each year, and that number is only expected to rise in the coming years. The booming tourism industry also attracts foreign investors looking for a low-cost business setup in Dubai. Starting a travel business in the country has become much easier. The country was regarded as one of the world’s most advanced economies for conducting business.
Of course, this is fantastic news for anyone looking to launch a travel firm in the country. But there are a lot of factors to consider. Having aided the establishment of various international travel companies in the country. In this section, we go over the steps for creating a travel agency in this country.
6 Steps to Start a Travel Agency Business in UAE
1. Create a Business Activity
You’ll need to determine whether you want to manage a travel agency, an inbound tour operator, or an outgoing tour operator. There are numerous activities to choose from in each of the various markets you can provide.
2. Decide on a company name
Don’t become too attached to any names until you’ve figured out the rules. Global, East or West, and International are acceptable terms, but they come with a price tag and a slew of restrictions. If your company is nearly identical to another company in a comparable field, the emirate’s Economic Department will not provide you with a business license. As a result, getting advice on what is permissible is critical.
Going through this process alone can be time-consuming; the economic department will not give a license if your business name violates the law, and you may be fined if you use a name that the economic department has approved but then fail to show your principal operations.
3. Submit an application for a business license
The Economic Department of the Emirates issues business permits in the UAE. Every business, regardless of industry, should have at least one business license. Your memorandum of association, dependent on the legal kind of your organization, incorporation certificate, and stakeholder passport copy are normally required for the application. Some fields necessitate additional licenses from relevant authorities, such as the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in the case of tourism.
With external assistance to obtain it for the first time, you can usually complete the procedure in 7 days, and a form specialist can keep track of your annual renewal for you – avoiding risk penalties, prohibitions, or involuntary liquidation.
4. Submit an application for a tourism license
The next step is to apply for a tourism license in Dubai with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. One of the three licenses – incoming tour operator, outward tour operator, or travel agent – must be chosen.
If you want to start a travel agency in this country, you’ll need an outline of your company plan, a fair criminal statement, and a letter of authorization from the civil aviation authorities if you want to sell airline tickets. It should be renewed every year for a period of 30 days before it expires.
5. Organize employee visas
Make sure to apply within thirty days of a worker’s arrival in the country, when they will have received a visa. Simply register for employment visas through the Ministry of the Interior’s channel. Workers can use an in-country status change to activate their visas once they have been issued, which is an important step toward obtaining a complete employment visa.
A business license, copies of your passport, and a card for establishment – a service that registers your company with the GDRFA – are all required. Note that it is also your responsibility to obtain permission to board for inbound travel for workers.
6. Decide on a legal framework
If you open a travel agency, you can operate as a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company. These types of businesses require different types of licensing and registration. For example, the requirements for an LLC registered as a travel agency are complex.
To start a travel agency, the owner must first become an authorized travel agent.
