Activities · Education, training and coaching
Set up a Education, training and coaching company in the UAE.
To run an education, training or coaching business in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, you typically need a trade licence and, if offering structured courses to the public, approval from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Free zones offer cost‑effective packages but a mainland presence is often required for public‑facing training. VAT at 5% applies to course fees, and corporate tax is 9% on profits above amount not yet confirmed. Banking is feasible with proper documentation.
Trade licence (from DED for mainland or a free zone authority) plus a KHDA Educational Services Permit for any training institute offering courses to the public.
When offering structured courses to the public from physical premises in Dubai, a mainland trade licence and KHDA permit are required. A free zone licence alone is insufficient unless the business operates exclusively B2B with no individual enrolments.
Zones that fit the activity
Names as the researchers wrote them, with the catalogue entry where the zone publishes one. A price is a package price and may cover a different package than another zone.
| Zone | Why | Catalogue entry | Package price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | Low‑cost package including one residence visa; widely accepted activity list for training and consultancy. | not published | not published | source |
| SHAMS | Very low cost for freelancers and solo operators. | not published | not published | source |
| RAKEZ | Strong choice for SMEs and small teams. | not published | not published | source |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai‑based; popular with management and training consultancies. | not published | not published | source |
Approvals outside the free zone
VAT: 5% standard rate on course fees (not zero‑rated unless the institution is a government‑owned or majority government‑funded qualifying educational institution). Corporate tax: 9% on taxable income above amount not yet confirmed; Small Business Relief available if revenue ≤ amount not yet confirmed. uaefreezonefinder.com, businessdubai.ae
Mainland training institutes can open corporate bank accounts with the trade licence and KHDA permit. Full KYC, an in‑person meeting, and a payment gateway are typical. Free zone companies may face additional scrutiny. businessdubai.ae
Mistakes that cost a resubmission
Questions founders ask
Yes, if you offer structured courses to the public, a KHDA Educational Services Permit is mandatory.
Only if your training is exclusively B2B (corporate clients) with no individual enrolments; otherwise, you need KHDA and likely a mainland presence.
No, commercial training is standard‑rated at 5% VAT.
KHDA permit from amount not yet confirmed (1‑2 activities), trade licence from amount not yet confirmed, plus visa, rent, and fit‑out costs; total estimated amount not yet confirmed.
What the research does not settle
- Official free zone authority fee schedules not available; prices are agent package quotes from uaefreezonefinder.com.
- Exact activity names in free zone catalogues not provided.
- Official DED mainland trade licence cost not sourced.
- Detailed process for free zone companies to obtain KHDA approval (e.g., whether a mainland branch is needed) not fully clarified.