This service allows individuals or institutions to apply for an Educational Services Permit to establish and operate a training institute in Dubai.

Investors

1–2 activities:
Application: AED 15,000
Knowledge and Innovation: AED 20
Total: AED 15,020

3–4 activities:
Application: AED 18,000
Knowledge and Innovation: AED 20
Total: AED 18,020

5–6 activities:
Application: AED 20,000
Knowledge and Innovation: AED 20
Total: AED 20,020

More than seven activities:
Application: AED 25,000
Knowledge and Innovation: AED 20
Total: AED 25,020

8 working days

KHDA portal

1. A list of course names and descriptions.
2. Approval from the awarding body for professional certificates (for institutes offering preparatory courses for professional certification exams).
3. Approval from relevant authorities (for specialised courses requiring authorisation from competent bodies – e.g., medical and cosmetic courses approved by Dubai Health Authority).
4. 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.

1. The training institute must obtain Initial Approval and a Trade Name Reservation certificate from the relevant licensing authority before applying for this service.
2. If the institute offers training programmes that fall under the jurisdiction/remit of other government bodies, prior approval must be obtained from the relevant government authority or authorities.
3. KHDA grants a maximum of six months from the date of the Initial Approval to complete the procedures for obtaining the Educational Services Permit and Licence. If this period expires without securing the permit, the Initial Approval becomes void.
4. To obtain an Educational Services Permit from KHDA, the training institute must meet all relevant government requirements, including obtaining the necessary approvals from the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai 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 e-services portal before the expiry of the Initial Approval issued by KHDA.

• Step 1: Submit application through KHDA e-services 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.
• Step 2: KHDA reviews the application to confirm that all required documents for the submitted courses are in order. Applicants will be notified of any necessary adjustments, if applicable.
• Step 3: 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 e-services portal. The Initial Approval letter remains valid for six months.
• Step 4: To obtain the Educational Services Permit, the investor must enter the trade license details and upload a copy of the license through KHDA's portal. For applications submitted via the "Invest in Dubai" platform, trade license data is automatically transferred to KHDA's system once the post-licensing stage is complete.