This service enables investors to obtain an Educational Services Permit to establish and operate a new private school in Dubai.

Investors

Application AED 20,000 (for non profit schools)
Knowledge and Innovation AED 20 (for non profit schools)
Total AED 20,020 (for non profit schools)

Application  AED 50,000 (for profit schools)
Knowledge and Innovation AED 20 (for profit schools)
Total AED 50,020 (for profit schools)

Phase 1 (Connect with KHDA): 2 working days
Phase 2 (Investor Declaration Form): 5 working days
Phase 3 (Initial Approval): 22 working days
Phase 4 (Appointing the Principal): 5 working days; Marketing application: 3 working days
Phase 5 (Educational Services Permit and Opening the School): 10 working days
Total: 47 working days

Initial Approval

1. The application for initial approval must be submitted via the KHDA e-services portal at least 15 months before the start of the intended academic year, accompanied by the necessary documents and records.
2. The applicant must submit an academic plan aligned with the proposed curriculum.
3. The academic plan shall be developed specifically for the proposed private school and designed in alignment with its educational vision and objectives, and shall not be copied, transferred, or derived, in whole or in part, from other academic plans.
4. KHDA reserves the right to request any additional documents, data, or information deemed necessary.
5. If amendments to the academic plan are required, KHDA will notify the applicant and review the revised submission within 10 working days of receiving the amendments.
6. The applicant must submit amendments within 20 working days of being notified. A maximum of two amendment submissions is permitted. If this timeframe is exceeded, the application may be rejected, and a new application must be submitted.
7. International schools seeking to open a branch in Dubai must meet the following requirements:
   • A. Submit a certified resolution from the founding school's Board of Directors explicitly authorising the establishment of an international branch in partnership with a Dubai based owner.
   • B. Present accurate information regarding the founding school’s representation on the independent commercial company's Board of Directors, including all procedures and approvals related to the expenditure for establishing the branch in Dubai.
   • C. Assign an authorised representative to liaise with KHDA during the submission and review of the academic plan. This person must be either an employee, board member, or a director/manager at the founding school. Official notification of this appointment must be submitted along with the certified resolution.
   • D. The founding school is entirely responsible for:
     • Preparing, reviewing, amending, and submitting the academic plan for the proposed international school branch.
     • Demonstrating its ability to provide high-quality education. This includes submitting evidence such as school performance data, inspection reports, ratings, test results at core stages, and an understanding of the educational landscape in Dubai.
     • Ensuring ongoing oversight of the branch school’s educational standards and making key decisions.
     • The founding school must also:
       • Conduct regular visits to the Dubai branch
       • Meet annually with KHDA and the local owner to discuss key issues pertinent to the overall quality of the International School Branch.
8. Once all academic plan requirements are met, KHDA will issue an Initial Approval within five working days from the date the application fulfils the conditions of the academic plan as stipulated in the Executive Council Resolution.
9. The Initial Approval shall be granted for a period of one year and may be extended for an additional period not exceeding 6 months upon request. In such cases, the extension request must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the expiry date of the current approval. The request for extension shall be reviewed and decided upon in accordance with the terms and procedures specified by a resolution issued by the Director General.
10. The Initial Approval must be issued at least nine months before the start of the intended academic year.

Appointing the Principal

1. The nominated candidate must be fully aware of KHDA's procedures for appointing a school principal and note that the appointment is not considered valid until the Appointment Notice is obtained from KHDA.
2. The candidate must possess the necessary competencies to assume the position of school principal, demonstrate good conduct, and must not have any prior criminal convictions or misdemeanor judgments.
3. The school principal must be appointed before:
   • a. Scheduling the KHDA compliance team visit.
   • b. Commencing any promotional or advertising activities for the school.
   • c. Appointment of school staff.
4. The principal must be appointed at least six months before the start of the academic year.

Educational Services Permit

1. The following conditions must be fulfilled:
   • Valid Initial Approval from KHDA.
   • KHDA approval for the appointed Principal.
   • Completion of all facilities and relevant government approvals.
2. The  Educational Services Permit will not be issued or may be revoked at a later stage if sufficient evidence emerges of active poaching of staff from another private school in Dubai.
3. The Educational Services Permit must be issued by KHDA at least three months before the start of the academic year.
4. The school owner/management  must not advertise the new school or undertake  any marketing activities  at this stage. Student registration is also not permitted until the school’s Educational Services Permit has been issued, in accordance with the applicable regulations and procedures.

Phase 1 (Connect with KHDA):

• No documents required

Phase 2 (Investor Declaration Form):

1. Initial Approval from the relevant commercial licensing authority or from Community Development Authority (CDA) for non-profit school
2. Investor Declaration Form including:
   • Corporate and private shareholders
   • Management Structure
   • Governance arrangements
   • Brief profile of the school, including type of curriculum to be offered, school phases (primary/secondary/K12), school student capacity, fee range that will be charged and intended opening date
   • Any details of local partner or intended local partner
   • Any support needed from KHDA

Phase 3 (Initial Approval):

1. Academic Plan.
2. Land Allocation Certificate for educational service.
3. Trade Name Reservation Certificate from the licensing authority or from Community Development Authority (CDA) for non-profit schools.

Phase 4 (Appointing the Principal and Marketing application):
School principal requirements:

1. Advertisement: A copy of the original advertisement (if available)
2. Job description: The responsibilities and specifications expected of the candidate
3. Curriculum Vitae: The candidate’s CV or the completed application form.
4. Supporting Nomination Letter: A letter written by the candidate to apply for the principal position.
5. Recommendations: Two reference letters received by the school owner, one of which must be issued by the candidate’s most recent employer.
6. Curriculum Vitae: The CVs of the interview panel members responsible for making the decision, including the educational expert(s).
7. Academic Qualifications: Electronic copies of the candidate’s attested academic qualifications.
8. Passport and Residency Page: A copy of the candidate’s valid passport and residency page.
9. Good Conduct Certificate: A certificate of good conduct from local and international authorities, in addition to certificates proving eligibility to work with children (if available).
10. Completion of the Principal Appointment Checklist (PAC).

Marketing application requirement:

1. Attaching the advertisement materials

Phase 5 (Educational Services Permit and Opening the School):

1. Valid license from the relevant authority
2. Building Completion Certificate from Dubai Municipality or the relevant licensing authorities
3. School Clinic License from Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
4. Certificate of conformity with preventive safety requirements from the Civil Defence in Dubai.

Phase 1 (Connect with KHDA):

• Step 1: Investor will connect with KHDA to express their interest to opening a private school in Dubai.
• Step 2: KHDA will arrange an interview with the potential investor or the authorised personnel.
• Step 3: KHDA will work closely with the investors throughout the market entry process, helping to ensure a clear, coordinated, and efficient pathway to establishing schools in Dubai. Once the investor is ready, KHDA will inform the investor to submit phase 2 documents.

Phase 2 (Investor Declaration Form):

• Step 1: The applicant submits Phase 2 documents.
• Step 2: KHDA will review the request and make a decision.
• Step 3: Once approved, KHDA will inform the applicant to proceed to Phase 3.

Phase 3: Initial Approval

• Step 1: The applicant creates an electronic account by registering on the KHDA e-services portal.
• Step 2: All necessary documents are submitted via the portal, including the academic plan.
• Step 3: KHDA reviews the application.
• Step 4: Investors and their education expert(s) will be invited to participate in an online or in-person interview (viva) to identify key strengths in their proposal, alongside areas for further development. KHDA will issue a detailed evaluation report. This report will either confirm approval of the Education Plan or outline the areas requiring revision. Applications requiring revisions will be subject to a second and, if necessary, a third submission. KHDA may request a follow-up meeting/viva.
• Step 5: If all requirements are fulfilled, an Initial Approval is issued. This enables the applicant to move forward with securing a commercial license from the appropriate licensing authority.

Phase 4: Appointing the Principal & Marketing application

Appointing the Principal

• Step 1: All required documents for the principal appointment and should be submitted through the KHDA e-services portal.
• Step 2: KHDA reviews the application. An interview with the nominated principal may be arranged if necessary.
• Step 3: If all conditions are met, KHDA issues official approval for the principal's appointment.

Marketing application

• Step 1: Apply via the KHDA portal, attaching the advertising materials in accordance with the specified conditions.
• Step 2: KHDA reviews the application and makes a decision.
• Step 3: Once all conditions are satisfied, the advertisement publication approval fee is paid.
• Step 4: If approved, the school obtains approval valid for three months.

Phase 5: Building readiness and issuing the Educational Services Permit

• Step 1: All necessary documents and approvals from relevant government authorities are submitted via the KHDA e-services portal.
• Step 2: KHDA reviews the submitted documents.
• Step 3: The KHDA compliance team conducts an on-site inspection of the school premises readiness and its suitability for educational use.
• Step 4: Once all conditions are fulfilled, the applicant pays the fee for issuing the Educational Services Permit.
• Step 5: KHDA issues the Educational Services Permit, officially authorising the applicant to begin operating the private school as per the approved date.