What is a beauty salon license?

It is a professional license that allows you to legally provide beauty, hairdressing, and spa services in the UAE. The salon format can be one of the following:

  • Women’s salon: haircuts, makeup, skincare, and nail care
  • Men’s salon: barber services, shaving, grooming
  • Unisex salon: a combination of services for all clients
  • Spa center: massages, body wraps (excluding medical procedures)

Note: Medical procedures such as botox, mesotherapy, and biorevitalization require a separate medical license issued by the DHA (Dubai), DoH (Abu Dhabi), or MOHAP (federal) authorities.

Retail sales of related products are allowed in non-commercial volumes.

How to get a beauty salon license

1. Register your business

  • Choose a company name and decide on the jurisdiction (mainland or free zone)
  • Submit your application to the DED (mainland) or relevant free zone authority

2. Rent a commercial space

  • Select a suitable location
  • Sign a lease agreement (Ejari required for mainland setups)

3. Obtain the necessary approvals

  • Approval from Dubai Municipality (site inspection)
  • Staff certifications (if applicable)

4. Receive your license

Key requirements and approvals for a beauty salon license

Medical procedures (e.g., botox, mesotherapy)

These require a separate medical license from DHA, DoH, or MOHAP. Performing such procedures without a license is prohibited.

Premises requirements

The salon must comply with Dubai Municipality regulations regarding ventilation, zoning, and hygiene. Separate areas must be designated for different services (e.g., manicure, waxing).

Multiple activities allowed

You can combine several related activities under one license, such as hairdressing and nail services, depending on your salon type. The number of permitted activities may vary depending on the jurisdiction. Speak to a UAE business consultant for detailed guidance.

Timeline and cost of obtaining a salon license in the UAE

  • Processing time: 2–4 weeks
  • Starting cost: from 10,000 AED (depending on jurisdiction and services)

FFZA company formation process

Company registration in Fujairah Free Zone is done quickly. The license will be done in 1 business day and the whole process takes about 2 weeks as you need to go through the initial approval, business plan review, and other initial procedures.

  1. Determine the business activities of your future company and the corresponding license type. This aspect is vital for a successful business setup, as choosing the wrong activity and license can cause errors during company registration, leading to problems with opening a bank account or obtaining residency visas for yourself and your employees.

  2. Define your company’s legal status. Fujairah Free Zone offers several company types for establishing a business depending on the preferred number of shareholders and business activities:

    • FZE (Free Zone Establishment) – an LLC with a single shareholder who can be either an individual or non-individual (company).
    • FZC (Free Zone Company) – a free zone LLC formed by multiple shareholders which may include both individuals and non-individuals (companies).
    • Branch of a local company
    • Branch of a foreign company
  3. Prepare and submit the necessary documents together with the application form. FFZA requires a minimal documentation package.

    For individuals:

    • Passport with a 6-month validity
    • 2 photos
    • NOC (if the applicant holds the UAE residency visa)

    For branch/subsidiary:

    • Board resolution
    • Certificate of incorporation
    • Memorandum
    • Valid license of the parent company
    • Passport copies of directors, shareholders
    • Certificate of good standing
    • Copy of the last audit of the parent company (for branches)

    After all the documents have been compiled and the necessary paperwork has been drafted, you will be required to pay the necessary fees for the registration process to proceed with the application.

  4. Collect the license and registration documents for the company, including:

    • Certificate of incorporation
    • License
    • Lease agreement
    • MoA and Articles of Association
  5. Receive the Establishment Card containing information about your company and visa quotes.

  6. Apply for an entry permit. If you’re outside of the UAE during the processing of the entry permit, you will need to come to the country when the document is issued within 60 days to complete the medical test and biometrics for your visa. If you’re in the UAE when the entry permit is issued, a status change will be done from your previous UAE tourist/residency visa to the new one.

  7. Complete the biometrics procedure in one of the Emirates ID centers, undergo a medical checkup, and submit documents for a residence visa and an Emirates ID. Different registration packages may provide for a varying number of visas available for owners and employees of the company. Once you have the results of your medical test and biometrics, you can submit all the details for visa approval. Your electronic visa will be sent to you by email. You can also find it in the UAE ICP app.

  8. Once your visa is issued, secure your Emirates ID card.

  9. Apply to a UAE bank to open a corporate bank account. The approval may take a few weeks. Once you receive your account details, you are free to start running your business.

Expert

With us you can navigate this process quickly and effortlessly. You don`t even have to arrive in Dubai — the registration procedure can be completed remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical checkups, visa formalities, and account opening.

FFZA license costs

At Fujairah Free Zone, company registration fees start at 21,500 AED for a zero-visa license with a virtual office. There is a refundable deposit of 5,000 AED as well.

Other licenses depending on the type of facility are:

ITEMLICENSEINCORPORATIONRENTUTILITIES
License + Warehouse50,000 AED5,300 AED230 AED per sq. m.4,020 AED
License + Land50,000 AED5,300 AED20 AED per sq. m. 

In the case of a warehouse and a land plot, you have to make a 50,000 AED refundable deposit.

FFZA offers the following opportunities for investors:

  • Trading. You can lease trading offices, which can be fully furnished if needed, to take advantage of licensing benefits for import, export, and re-export activities, as well as for local sales.
  • Distribution/warehousing. Units of various sizes (starting from 500 square meters) are available for lease to support the import, export, and re-export of diverse commodities, as well as for general trading activities, including local sales.
  • Manufacturing. You have the option to lease pre-built units or request the free zone authority to construct customized units to meet your specific needs.

Elena O.

We'll find the ideal free zone for your business

DSO — Dubai Silicon Oasis Free Zone

  • Company setup from

    12,000 AED

Registration in 2 weeks
Workstations, office spaces, light industrial units

Dubai Silicon Oasis offers an affordable setup for IT companies within a modern technological park featuring ready-made…

JAFZA — Jebel Ali Free Zone

  • Company setup from

    52,636 AED

Registration in 2 weeks
Offices, warehouses, plots of land

A lot of well-known food and consumer goods manufacturers are located in JAFZA, thanks to its wide range of warehouses and…

Clients speak about us