WhatsApp quoteOn the ground, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. Dubai is the UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE with a Dubai DET licence, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. GoldenKey has Croatian customers from Zagreb, Split and Rijeka, and our consultants understand the papers issued in Croatia and how to attest them for the UAE. Day to day, croatians are a small community in hospitality, yachting, IT and sports, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Croatian applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Dubai
Dubai mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. Businesses that benefit most from Dubai mainland licensing include retail, restaurants, contracting, real estate brokerage and consulting with government customers, because they serve customers on site across the emirate.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
For most clients, we pick the precise activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
Crucially, your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), together with any external approvals the activity requires. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
The memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Importantly, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder is audit-ready.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A passport issued by Croatia with at least six months' validity
- Tourism department approval
Pricing
To be clear, all prices for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing ahead of payment. Pricing for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
| Additional visa | AED 3,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 12,000 |
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. In practice, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder for international founders.
Why GoldenKey
We speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. Our quotations for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, ahead of payment anything.
From day one, ready to start? Send us a WhatsApp message with your nationality, the activity you have in mind and the number of visas you need, and we will reply shortly with a written quotation for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Croatian founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
As a rule, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in most cases issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) requires a registered tenancy for most licences. A small office or a desk in a business centre is enough for a few visas, and the visa quota increases with the floor area.
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes, it can. Mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000 and must register with the FTA, which GoldenKey handles as part of your setup.
Which licence type covers travel & tourism agency?
In our experience, travel & Tourism Agency is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
Is travel & tourism agency allowed in Dubai?
Yes, it can. Croatians can own 100% of a travel agency in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
