Apply for a Reservation & Travel Support Services Business License in Dubai
Topic Summary
Understand What the License Covers
The Reservation & Travel Support Services license allows you to book flights and hotels, plan itineraries, and provide traveller support before and during trips. It does not cover insurance brokerage, staff hiring, or clinical health services, which each require a separate license.
Choose Between Mainland and Free Zone
A mainland DET license gives you access to the full UAE market, while a DSBH free zone license offers 100% foreign ownership and flexible office options suited to internationally focused businesses. Your choice should depend on where your clients are based and your budget for setup costs.
Confirm You Are Eligible to Apply
Individual investors, companies with multiple shareholders, and foreign nationals are all welcome to apply, with no requirement to be a UAE national. In the DSBH free zone, you can retain 100% ownership of your company regardless of your home country.
Follow the Five-Step Application Process
The process runs from reserving a trade name and selecting your activity code through to receiving your issued license, and most applicants complete it within a few working days. Having all documents prepared in advance is the single biggest factor in speeding up approval.
Prepare Your Documents Before You Start
Core requirements include a passport valid for at least six months, a recent white-background photo, proof of home address, and a no-objection letter from your UAE employer if applicable. Some applicants are also asked to submit a business plan or activity description, so having one ready avoids delays.
Plan for Visas and Office Requirements
Your visa quota is tied to the office package you select, with flexi-desk and private office options available at DSBH. If you plan to sponsor family members for UAE residency, confirm the visa allowance for your chosen package before finalising your setup.
Tap Into Dubai's Massive Travel Market
Dubai handles over 90 million air passengers annually, creating a large and consistent pool of potential clients for travel support businesses. The city's role as a hub for corporate travel, leisure tourism, and major events makes demand for reservation and coordination services consistently strong.
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H1 (for the CMS title field, do not paste into the body): Apply for a Reservation & Travel Support Services Business License in Dubai
Dubai's Travel Market: A Big Opportunity
Dubai handles over 90 million air passengers a year. Every one of them is a potential client for a travel support business. The city is also a top hub for corporate travel, leisure trips, and large events.
This guide covers what the Reservation & Travel Support Services license lets you do, who issues it, and how to get set up at Dubai South Business Hub.
What This License Covers
The Reservation & Travel Support Services license lets you run a range of travel-related activities. These include booking flights and hotels, planning trips, and helping travellers with their needs.
Permitted activities include:
Flight and hotel booking
Travel coordination and trip planning
Itinerary planning for leisure and business clients
Support services for travellers before and during trips
This license does not cover insurance brokerage, staff hiring, or clinical health services. If you want to offer those, you need a separate license for each.
On the mainland, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues this license. At DSBH, the free zone authority issues it instead.
Mainland vs Free Zone
Factor | Mainland (DET) | Free Zone (DSBH) |
|---|---|---|
Client access | Full UAE market | Mainly international clients |
Foreign ownership | Up to 100% in many activities | 100% foreign ownership |
Office need | Physical office required | Flexi-desk options available |
License issuer | DET | DSBH free zone authority |
A mainland license suits you if you want to serve clients across the UAE directly. A DSBH free zone license works well if your clients are mostly based abroad or you want a low-cost setup.
You can explore the full range of business activities in Dubai to see what else DSBH supports.
Who Can Apply
This license is open to a wide range of people. You do not need to be a UAE national to apply.
Eligible applicants include:
Individual investors from any country
Companies with one or more shareholders
Foreign nationals setting up a new business
Existing businesses expanding into the UAE
In the DSBH free zone, you can own 100% of your company. On the mainland, ownership rules depend on your activity. Check with DET before you apply.
Key Facts at a Glance
License type | Service license |
|---|---|
Issuing authority (free zone) | DSBH free zone authority |
Issuing authority (mainland) | Dubai DET |
Foreign ownership | 100% in the free zone |
Minimum share capital | Confirm with DSBH at time of application |
Visa quota | Depends on office package chosen |
Office options | Flexi-desk or private office |
If you want to bring family members to the UAE, a UAE residency visa can be tied to your company license. Ask DSBH about the visa quota for your chosen package.
How to Apply: Step by Step
The setup process has 5 clear steps. Most applicants finish it in a few working days when all papers are ready.
Step 1, book your trade name: Pick a name that fits the naming rules. Check it is free using the trade name availability search tool.
Step 2, pick your activity: Confirm the Reservation & Travel Support Services activity is on your license. DSBH can help you select the right code.
Step 3, get initial approval: Submit your application to DSBH. The authority reviews it and gives initial approval.
Step 4, send your papers: Upload or hand in the required documents. DSBH checks them and may ask for more detail.
Step 5, receive your license: Once approved, your license is issued. You can then open a bank account and apply for visas.
Papers You Need
Have these ready before you start:
Passport copy, valid for at least 6 months
Recent passport photo on a white background
Proof of your home address
A no-objection letter (NOC) from your current employer, if you are employed in the UAE
Business plan or activity description, if asked
Missing papers are the most common reason for delays. Get everything together before you submit.
Costs and Fees
License fees at DSBH depend on the package you choose. Office type and visa quota both affect the total cost.
Use the business setup cost calculator to get a quick estimate. It covers license fees, office costs, and visa fees in one place.
Renewal costs apply each year. Budget for these when you plan your first-year spend.
Rules You Must Follow
Once your company exists, several rules apply right away. These are not optional.
Corporate tax
You must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) once your company is set up. This applies whatever your turnover is. Free zone companies may pay 0% corporate tax. You only get that rate if you meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions the FTA sets.
VAT
You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover hits the threshold. Check the current figure on the Federal Tax Authority website.
Record keeping
Keep your books and financial records for 7 years. The FTA can ask to see them at any time.
License renewal
Your license must be renewed each year. Missing the renewal date can lead to fines and trading stops. Set a reminder well before the due date.
For help with ongoing duties, DSBH offers business support services that cover government transactions and paperwork.
Why Dubai for Travel Services
Dubai is one of the world's top travel hubs. Al Maktoum International Airport is expanding fast. When complete, it will be the largest airport in the world by capacity.
The city draws three main types of traveller:
Corporate travellers on business trips
Leisure tourists from across the globe
MICE groups: meetings, events, and large conferences
All three groups need booking support, trip planning, and travel help. That demand is steady and growing. Setting up here puts your business at the centre of it.
Dubai's location also helps. It sits between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Many long-haul routes stop here, which means more transit passengers and more potential clients.
You can also pair your travel license with other services. A services license in Dubai can cover related support work if your business grows beyond core travel bookings.
Start Your Travel Business at DSBH
A Reservation & Travel Support Services license puts you inside one of the world's busiest travel markets. The demand is real, the setup path is clear, and the free zone model keeps costs low.
Dubai South Business Hub gives you 100% ownership, flexi-desk options, and a fast approval process. You can also add bank account opening in the UAE and visa services as part of your setup package.
Speak to a DSBH advisor to confirm your activity code and pick the right setup option for your business.
What does a Reservation & Travel Support Services license let me do?
It lets you book flights and hotels, plan trips, and support travellers. It does not cover insurance brokerage or clinical services. You need a separate license for those activities.
Can a foreign national own 100% of the company?
Yes, in the DSBH free zone you can own 100% of your company. On the mainland, check the current rules with DET before you apply.
How long does the setup process take?
Most applications finish in a few working days. Delays happen when papers are missing or incomplete. Have all your documents ready before you submit.
Do I need a physical office?
Not at DSBH. Flexi-desk options are available in the free zone. A mainland DET license requires a physical office address.
Do I need to register for corporate tax?
Yes. You must register with the FTA once your company exists. Free zone companies may qualify for a 0% rate. You only get that rate if you meet the conditions the FTA sets.
Can I apply for a UAE residency visa through this license?
Yes. A visa can be tied to your company license. The number of visas you can get depends on the office package you choose. Ask DSBH for details.
FLAG: Minimum share capital and exact license fee figures are not available from the source brief. Confirm current amounts with DSBH before publishing.
FLAG: Visa quota figures depend on package type. Confirm current quotas with DSBH before publishing.
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HEADING OUTLINE
H2 Dubai's Travel Market: A Big Opportunity
H2 What This License Covers
H3 Mainland vs Free Zone
H2 Who Can Apply
H3 Key Facts at a Glance
H2 How to Apply: Step by Step
H3 Papers You Need
H3 Costs and Fees
H2 Rules You Must Follow
H2 Why Dubai for Travel Services
H2 Start Your Travel Business at DSBH
H2 References
H2 Frequently Asked Questions
H3 What does a Reservation & Travel Support Services license let me do?
H3 Can a foreign national own 100% of the company?
H3 How long does the setup process take?
H3 Do I need a physical office?
H3 Do I need to register for corporate tax?
H3 Can I apply for a UAE residency visa through this license?
References
Frequently Asked Questions
