A cloud kitchen license is your gateway to launching a successful food business in the UAE. This license allows you to operate legally, access modern F&B business models, and gain significant advantages for growth and expansion.
What you can do with a cloud kitchen license
- Run a full food production and delivery operation without opening a traditional restaurant. This significantly reduces your initial investment and ongoing overhead costs.
- Use licensed commercial kitchen spaces that meet strict UAE hygiene standards — helping you maintain quality and build customer trust.
- Operate multiple virtual brands under a single license, making it easy to test new food concepts with minimal financial risk.
- Legally work with major delivery platforms and build your own digital ordering channels. This allows you to reach a wider audience and scale your customer base faster.
- Avoid heavy fines of up to AED 2 million for unlicensed operations. A legal setup also simplifies getting additional permits and makes it easier to attract investors.
Main types of cloud kitchen licenses in the UAE
Mainland cloud kitchen license.
Best if you’re planning wide delivery coverage, partnerships with large marketplaces and aggregators, and want to serve customers beyond a single free zone.
Free zone cloud kitchen license.
Ideal for online-based food businesses targeting delivery within specific areas, looking to benefit from tax incentives in the UAE and full foreign ownership.
Shared or incubator cloud kitchen license
Perfect for startups or entrepreneurs looking to test new food concepts with low upfront investment. This model gives access to shared kitchen spaces without the need to rent a full facility.
How to get a cloud kitchen license in the UAE
- Choose your jurisdiction. Decide whether you want to operate on the UAE mainland or in one of the free zones. Your decision should align with your target customers and business goals.
- Define your business activities. When applying for the license, clearly state that your business will involve preparing and delivering ready-to-eat meals.
- Prepare the required documents. You’ll need copies of the shareholders’ and manager’s passports, incorporation documents, a kitchen rental agreement or contract with a cloud kitchen operator, a facility layout plan that meets UAE hygiene standards, and approvals from the municipality and food safety authorities.
- Obtain necessary approvals. Get clearance from the relevant municipality (e.g., Dubai Municipality) and approval from food safety departments in accordance with the UAE Food Code.
- Pay the government fees. Once your documents are submitted, you’ll need to pay the application and license issuance fees.
- Receive your license. After approval, you’ll be officially licensed to operate. You can also apply for additional permits to work with delivery platforms and run your own digital channels if needed.
The entire process typically takes 1 to 3 weeks, depending on your jurisdiction and the completeness of your documentation.
Aidina K.
Need help getting your Cloud Kitchen License? Contact us now — we’re ready to assist!
Smooth and speedy process from the initial contact to the final visa approval. Wale was super helpful and professional and always answered promptly all my questions.
Emirabiz is a red carpet service worth paying for and I want to thank Helen and her team for her dedicated support and her amazing follow-through. To launch a business in UAE and get…
Hi, I am Eric, from France. I am very satisfied by the work performed for me by Emirabiz. I was based in Saudi Arabia last year and I wanted to create my Company in UAE. I did everything…
Local Consultancy is quite simply excellent at what they do and the services that they provide. Business owner Elena is completely hands on, looking after my needs as a client personally,…
Strongly recommended! I needed to setup a company in the free zone and I ended up in the right place. Natela and Natalia were super helpful in assisting me in the process from the beginning…
Amazing company to work with. Very fast and efficient. Got all of our Paperwork done and visas + Emirates IDs in a very timely manner. Princess was wonderful and always followed up with me…
It's one of the best services that I received. I keep my relationship with this company for years now. Everything from Visa or Company related matters are resolved here with a very little…
From a scale from 0-10 in which 10 is out if this world amazing, Timi and her team deserve a 11! I decided to move to Dubai with my family and Working with Timi was by far the best decision…
Emirabiz Consultancy has consistently provided reliable and outstanding service for my visa renewal needs. I've been working with them for years, and I am very happy and satisfied with…
I worked with Timi on my golden visa process and she did an amazing job. Everything went smooth and fast! Highly recommend!
Assisted me in obtaining my Golden Visa. A big thank you to Parul Parikh for guiding me through the process and for ensuring that my application was successful. Craig
I had a wonderful experience with Emirabez. Parul Parikh helped in doing my Golden visa. It was completely smooth and hassle free. It was done very quickly. Parul was very cooperative and…
I'd like to thank Mrs. Parul from Emirabiz who has helped me sort out the UAE Residency paper for me. She was incredibly professional, very responsive, knowledgeable about the process, and…
Thank you very much for your service. All was done in a short time and in a very comfortable conditions. The level of Anna Soloviova is high. All her explanations and details of new company…
Your Service was fantastic and flawless! And a very, very special „Thank You“ for Nadia! She provided assistance to solve problems, responded immediately to E-Mails, amazing customer…
I am satisfied with the process, steps and speed of my company incorporation also you helped me a lot and very quickly.Turkey
Hi, I meet Natalia Consultant she help me a lot for my business information with quick response great job Natalia.Pradeep, Sri Lanka
We were considering options for opening a company in one of the free zones in the UAE and sought preliminary advice from Emirabiz. Consultant Natalia provided the most complete information…
I contacted Emirabiz for help in choosing and registering a company in a free zone in the United Arab Emirates. Natalia Maslina, a Business Setup Advisor, provided me with comprehensive…
So First of all thank you so much for your continuous help and quick reply for all my questions and doubts about the formation and setups. Also I am recommending this company for everyone…
I would like to acknowledge an outstanding customer service and comprehensive business development advice provided to me by Natalia. Her high level of professionalism and thoughtful…