KHDA - Issuing an Educational Services Permit for a Training Institute

Issuing an Educational Services Permit for a Training Institute

This service allows individuals or institutions to apply for an Educational Services Permit to commence professional training activities in Dubai.

Investors

1–2 activities: AED 15,000
3–4 activities: AED 18,000
5–6 activities: AED 20,000
More than seven activities: AED 25,000

8 working days

The processing period of 8 working days begins once KHDA has received all required documents.

A list of course names and descriptions.
Approval from the certifying authority for professional certificates (for institutes offering preparatory courses for professional certification exams).
Approval from relevant authorities (for specialised courses requiring authorisation from competent bodies – e.g., medical and cosmetic courses approved by Dubai Health Authority).
Commercial Trade Name Reservation certificate and Initial Approval from the relevant licensing authority:
- For institutes located on the mainland: The reference number for the Trade Name Reservation and Initial Approval must be provided.
- For institutes in free zones: The Trade Name Reservation certificate and Initial Approval from the free zone licensing authority in Dubai must be attached.

The training institute must obtain Initial Approval and a Trade Name Reservation certificate from the relevant licensing authority before applying for this service.
If the institute offers training programmes subject to the authority of other government bodies, prior approval must be obtained from the relevant government authority or authorities.
KHDA grants a maximum of six (6) months from the date of the Initial Approval to complete the procedures for obtaining the Education Services Permit and Licence. If this period expires without securing the KHDA Permit, the Initial Approval becomes void.
To obtain an Educational Services Permit from the KHDA, the training institute must meet all relevant government requirements, including obtaining the necessary approvals from the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department for institutes planning to operate in Dubai, or from the appropriate authorities in free zones for institutes intending to operate there. The details of the Commercial Licence must then be submitted through the KHDA portal before the expiry of the Initial Approval.
The KHDA Permit is valid for one year and must be renewed annually, at least 30 days before it expires.

To establish a training institute, the application must be submitted through KHDA portal. For investors wishing to set up a training institute in mainland Dubai, the application can be submitted either via the Invest in Dubai platform or KHDA’s portal.
The application will be reviewed by KHDA to confirm that all required documents for the submitted courses are in order. Applicants will be notified of any necessary adjustments, if applicable.
Once the application is approved, the applicant pays the service fee, and an Initial Approval letter is issued. The letter will be available on the Invest in Dubai platform or KHDA portal. The Initial Approval letter remains valid for 6 months.
To issue the Educational Services Permit, applicants for Dubai free zones must submit their Commercial Licence details. Applicants registered through the Invest in Dubai platform will have their application automatically forwarded to KHDA once the post-licensing stage is complete. The Commercial Licence information is promptly updated on KHDA's portal.

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Page last updated 23 October 2025