Beauty Salon License Dubai: Cost, Approvals and Setup
Content reviewed by My Business Setup Team, Business Setup Specialists.
A beauty salon in Dubai is licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism, but the approval that actually governs your opening date is the Dubai Municipality health permit for the premises. That permit dictates your layout, ventilation, sterilisation facilities and waste handling, and it is inspected before you may trade. The second thing that catches people is that salons are gender-segregated. A ladies salon and a gents salon are separate licences with separate premises, and a unisex operation is not permitted. Decide which you are before you sign a lease. Expect AED 15,000 to 30,000 for the licence and permits, with the fit-out being the dominant cost.
Who Should Consider a Beauty Salon License?
- Stylists and therapists formalising an existing client base
- Operators opening a second or third branch under one company
- Investors partnering with a lead stylist who brings the clientele
What You Can and Cannot Do
A salon licence covers hair, nails, threading, waxing and standard beauty treatments. Anything that breaks the skin or makes a medical claim is out of scope: injectables, laser hair removal, chemical peels and microneedling require a Dubai Health Authority licence and a clinical facility, not a salon permit. Massage requires an additional and more tightly controlled permit. Selling retail products is a separate commercial activity to add.
How Much Does a Beauty Salon License Cost?
For a Beauty Salon License, expect AED 5,750 - 28,000 in a free zone and AED 14,000 - 28,000 on the mainland for year one, with the licence issued in roughly 5-10 working days once documents are ready. The lower end of each range is a single-activity licence with no staff visas in a low-cost emirate; the upper end reflects Dubai, extra activities, or a larger office.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free-zone licence (year one) | AED 5,750 - 28,000 | Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, RAK and UAQ sit at the low end; Dubai zones at the high end |
| Mainland licence (year one) | AED 14,000 - 28,000 | Excludes the tenancy, which mainland requires separately |
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off, needed before any visa |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee, plus deposit on mainland |
| Ejari tenancy (mainland only) | from AED 15,000 / year | Not required for a free-zone flexi desk |
| Corporate tax registration | No fee | 9% applies only on taxable profit above AED 375,000 |
| Annual licence renewal | 85 - 100% of year-one licence fee | Excludes one-off formation items |
Indicative market ranges for planning, not a quote. Government fees, zone packages and external approvals change; confirm current figures before you apply.
Approvals you should budget time for
Usually none beyond the trade licence. This is the part that moves the timeline, not the licence itself.
Licence and permits are modest. Fit-out to Municipality health standards, plumbing for wash stations, and rent in a location with footfall are where the budget goes.
Good to know
- 100% foreign ownership available
- Flexi/shared office keeps overhead low
- Visa quota scales with office size
Watch out
- Signing a lease before Municipality approves the premises and layout
- Planning a unisex salon, which is not permitted
- Offering laser or injectables under a salon licence instead of a DHA clinic licence
- Underestimating plumbing and ventilation costs in a shell unit
How to Get Started
- Decide ladies or gents, then reserve the trade name and obtain initial approval
- Secure premises and submit the layout for Dubai Municipality health approval
- Complete the fit-out to the approved drawings
- Pass the Municipality health inspection and obtain the health permit
- Issue the trade licence, then open the immigration file and process staff visas
- Complete staff health cards and begin trading
Documents Checklist
- Passport copy & recent photo of each shareholder
- Current visa/entry status
- 2 to 3 preferred trade names
- Brief scope & staffing plan
Beauty Salon License FAQs
How much does a beauty salon licence cost in Dubai?
Budget AED 15,000 to 30,000 for the trade licence, Municipality health permit and approvals. The fit-out is the real cost at AED 150,000 to 600,000 depending on the shell, size and number of stations, plus rent advance and staff visas at roughly AED 4,000 to 6,500 each.
Can I open a unisex salon in Dubai?
No. Salons in Dubai are gender-segregated and a ladies salon and a gents salon are separate licences on separate premises. You cannot operate both from one unit. Choose which you are opening before committing to a lease.
Do I need Dubai Municipality approval for a salon?
Yes, and it is the approval that sets your opening date. Dubai Municipality issues the health permit governing layout, ventilation, sterilisation and waste handling, and inspects the premises before you can trade. Submit your layout before you start the fit-out, not after.
Can a salon do laser hair removal or injectables?
No. Laser treatments, injectables, chemical peels and microneedling are clinical procedures requiring a Dubai Health Authority facility licence and DHA-licensed practitioners. Offering them under a salon licence is a serious compliance breach. A salon licence covers hair, nails, threading, waxing and standard beauty treatments.
How long does it take to open a salon in Dubai?
Three to six weeks for the licence and permits once documents are in, but the fit-out and Municipality inspection usually make the real timeline two to four months from signing the lease.
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Last updated: October 2026
Requirements, timelines, and fees vary by jurisdiction, office setup, and external approvals. Confirm the current structure before applying.