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. Choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. Day to day, typical examples of this activity include inbound tour operator, outbound travel agency, visa and ticketing and destination management, which can usually sit together on one Dubai licence. The most common businesses Swiss nationals open through GoldenKey are in wealth management, commodities, watches and luxury and pharmaceuticals, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
Why Dubai
In our experience, among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, and that 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
Just as important, 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
Put simply, 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. Nothing is submitted for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Swiss founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
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
The Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. Nothing is submitted for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Swiss founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Documents required
The document list for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Swiss founder is short, and most customers already have everything on it.
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A police clearance certificate from Switzerland if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A bank statement from your Switzerland bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- Attested parent-company paperwork and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
Pricing
As a rule, use the table below to compare packages for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Swiss founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. In short, the figures below for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Swiss founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
- 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 Swiss founder for international founders. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many company owners choose it as a base for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Swiss founder.
Why GoldenKey
Crucially, you deal with one named case manager from the first call until your Dubai licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Swiss founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. As a rule, our quotations for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Swiss founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before a single dirham changes hands anything.
Just as important, tell us about your plans for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Swiss founder and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Day to day, with papers and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
On the ground, 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.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Absolutely. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Is travel & tourism agency allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Swiss nationals can own 100% of a travel agency in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Which licence type covers travel & tourism agency?
Importantly, travel & Tourism Agency is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
