WhatsApp quoteA Dubai mainland licence, issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need. 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. For most clients, travel & Tourism Agency in Dubai means inbound and outbound travel, tour operating, ticketing and holiday packages, and it is licensed as a commercial activity. In our experience, south Koreans are a community anchored by construction, nuclear energy, electronics and beauty brands, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see South Korean applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Dubai
Importantly, among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, which is why local service businesses gravitate here. Popular districts for a Dubai mainland office include Business Bay, Deira, Bur Dubai, Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Al Quoz, each with different rent levels and customer footfall.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
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. If the authority raises a query on opening a travel agency in the UAE as a South Korean founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
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.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
Put simply, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a South Korean founder.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
The Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start.
Documents required
For opening a travel agency in the UAE as a South Korean founder the issuing authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A bank statement from your South Korea bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- Tourism department approval
- A police clearance certificate from South Korea if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a South Korean founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. All prices for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a South Korean founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands.
- 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 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
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 South Korean founder for international founders. Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a travel agency in the UAE as a South Korean founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
Why GoldenKey
For most clients, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a South Korean founder happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a travel agency in the UAE as a South Korean founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves promptly. Day to day, we speak the languages our clients 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 South Korean founder.
Tell us about your plans for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a South Korean founder and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Absolutely. 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.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
You cannot convert directly, but you can open a mainland branch of your free zone company or set up a new mainland LLC and transfer the business. GoldenKey advises on the most tax-efficient route.
Is travel & tourism agency allowed in Dubai?
Yes. South Koreans can own 100% of a travel agency in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Do South Koreans need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No — You can apply for the licence from South Korea with scanned supporting documents, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
