Dubai is not just globally renowned for its business hub, skyscrapers, and tourist attractions – it’s a world-class centre for education. From early learning centres, international schools, to professional training institutes, universities, and edtech platforms, Dubai attracts educational pioneers, entrepreneurs, and institutions alike. Dubai’s leaders are driven by a bold vision to build a knowledge-based economy, and the government is actively investing in education as one of its foundational pillars. That means opportunity for you.
Dubai offers a fertile ground to start and grow your educational services business. But like any good lesson, success starts with knowing the steps.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to start an educational services business in Dubai. From understanding what these businesses actually do, licensing requirements, industry insights, and the paperwork you’ll need, we’ve got you covered. You’ll also learn how Trade License Zone can simplify the entire process for you. Let’s dive right in!
What does an educational services business do?
Along with the government authorities overseeing education, educational services businesses in Dubai form the backbone of this thriving sector.
What services do these businesses actually do? They set up and operate schools, vocational and training institutes, specialised education centres (such as language schools), and manage online education platforms.
Educational services businesses in Dubai also offer a range of services, including tutoring, educational consulting, curriculum development, quality assurance, and teacher training.
Educational services industry in Dubai: Overview
Dubai’s educational services industry is rapidly growing. Backed by the UAE’s Ministry of Education and regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), this sector is a thriving hub of world-class institutions, educators, and educational service providers.
Dubai is home to over 200 nationalities, and educational offerings are as diverse as its population. These include K-12 schools offering curricula from the British, American, Indian, and International Baccalaureate (IB) systems, as well as universities, colleges, and specialised training centres.
Specially created free zones, such as the Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) and Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP), boost this growth. Together, they host more than 27 international universities from 9 countries, offering a powerful launchpad for any educational services business in Dubai.
How to start an educational services business in Dubai: Step-by-step
As with any exam, there’s much preparation required for how to start an educational services business in Dubai. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
Step 1: Partner with Trade License Zone
By partnering with Trade License Zone, you’ll have experts guiding you through the entire process. From selecting the proper trade license to dealing with the KHDA and securing other approvals, we streamline the complex steps so you can focus on growing your business.
Step 2: Choose your business activities, business structure, and business jurisdiction
All businesses in Dubai must register with the Department of Economic Development (DED). This entails applying for a trade license, but first, you must select the business activities and determine the business’ legal structure and jurisdiction.
To operate legally as an educational services business, you must choose the right business activities for your trade license. You can choose from over 2,000 business activities for your trade license, and failure to select the correct ones can result in delays – or penalties.
Next, you must decide the legal structure for your business. The most popular form of business structure in Dubai is the Limited Liability Company (LLC), while other types include sole proprietorships, civil companies, and branches of foreign companies.
The final consideration for this crucial step is to select your business jurisdiction. There are two main types: mainland and free zone.
- Mainland setups enable you to work directly with clients throughout Dubai and across the UAE, including government agencies.
- Free zone setups offer 100% foreign ownership, attractive tax incentives, and a simplified business setup process. Some packages even provide built-in flexi-desk or coworking spaces.
Trade License Zone will guide you through this entire step (and beyond), saving you time, money, and stress.
Step 3: Apply for initial approval certificate
The initial approval certificate confirms that the government has no objections to your educational services business. This can be obtained from the DED (for mainland businesses) or your free zone authority.
Step 4: Apply for KHDA approval
All educational services businesses in Dubai are required to obtain KHDA approval. The KHDA regulates private sector educational functions in the emirate. Trade License Zone will help you attain the necessary approvals for your business venture.
Step 5: Secure an office space
Depending on your trade license and business jurisdiction requirements, you may need to secure an office space. These options include flexi-desks, private offices, shared coworking spaces, or home office setups.
We will assist you in finding a suitable workspace that meets your trade license requirements and fits within your budget.
Step 6: Submit your trade license application
With all your approvals in place, you can now submit your trade license application. This can be completed through the DED for mainland business setups or your relevant free zone authority.
Step 7: Open a corporate bank account and begin trading
Now that your educational services business in Dubai is fully licensed, you must open a corporate bank account to handle payments and revenue. We will introduce you to trusted banking partners specialising in the education sector. Once you’re set up, you can begin legally trading!
Benefits of starting an educational services business in Dubai
- Growing demand: With a continuously growing population, education is a top priority. That means a constant and consistent need for quality schools and curricula, tutors, teachers, training centres, and specialist educational services providers.
- Diverse market: Thanks to the over 200 nationalities that call Dubai home, this multicultural environment creates opportunities for niche offerings, such as multilingual programmes and internationally aligned curricula.
- Strategic location: Perfectly situated between East and West, making Dubai easily accessible for international students and educators.
- Tax exemptions: In Dubai, you can enjoy 0-9% corporate tax and 0% personal income tax rates. That means more profits to reinvest in the business growth.
- Global credibility: As Dubai hosts some of the world’s most prestigious educational institutes and educators, setting up an educational services business here adds that international credibility to your brand.
Documents required to start an educational services business in Dubai
Here is a list of documents to submit when applying for your trade license:
- Copies of your passport with photographs
- Business plan
- Initial approval certificate
- Trade name reservation certificate
- Approval from the KHDA
- Office space rental agreement
Why work with Trade License Zone
Setting up an educational services business in Dubai is an exciting opportunity, but the paperwork, approvals, and regulations can become overwhelming. That’s where Trade License Zone steps in.
We make the entire process simple, fast, and stress-free. From selecting the right business activity to securing approvals from authorities like the KHDA, we handle the complexities so you don’t have to. You’ll get expert guidance at every stage, ensuring your setup is compliant, cost-effective, and built for long-term success.
Whether you’re opening a training centre, launching an online learning platform, or establishing a full-scale academic institution, our team has the experience to tailor the process to your needs. We don’t just offer services – we become your partner in growth.
Are you ready to begin? Contact Trade License Zone today.
