In 2025, the beauty industry is expected to reach $1.31bn. The beauty salon industry is highly competitive in Dubai. If you want to open a salon in Dubai, you will need to invest in outreach and marketing to highlight how your business can stand out. Your salon also needs to pass an inspection by the Dubai Municipality.
Why Should You Open a Salon in Dubai?
- No income tax: Residents in Dubai do not have to pay income tax, meaning they can keep everything they earn.
- Low corporate tax: There is only a 9% corporate tax levied on companies whose revenue is over AED 375,000.
- Growing population: The Emirate’s rising population means there is more of a demand for beauty salons in new residential areas.
- Demand for beauty services: Beauty and skincare trends are really popular in Dubai, making it a popular location for setting up a beauty salon.
- 100% foreign ownership: You can get complete ownership of your business in Dubai, and anywhere in the UAE.
- Simpler business setup process: The process of setting up a business in Dubai and anywhere in the UAE is much easier due to the lack of red tape.
What are the Types of Beauty Salons in Dubai?
If you want a trade license in Dubai to open a beauty salon, there are a few service options you can offer:
- Nail services (manicures, pedicures, strengthening treatments)
- Hair services (hair cuts, hair styling, hair treatments, hair colouring)
- Skin services (facial, waxing, threading)
- Massage services (tension relief, deep tissue, aromatherapy)
- Henna application
- Makeup services
Salon Business Activities List
| Service | Activity Description |
|---|---|
| Women’s Salon |
|
| Ladies Massage & Relaxation Center |
|
| Ladies Health Club |
|
| Ladies Orient Bath |
|
| Ladies Cosmetics & Personal Care Center |
Restrictions:
|
| Ladies Hair Fixing Center |
|
What are the Steps to Start a Beauty Salon in Dubai?
Business setup in Dubai for a beauty salon can be made easier if you hire a business setup consultant to help you through the process.
1. Choose a Business Activity
The first step to open a salon in Dubai is to choose the right business activity.
- Not every salon activity is permitted in every jurisdiction, so be sure to do your research.
- You can find a list of business activities in Dubai on any regulatory body’s website.
2. Decide on a Jurisdiction
- You can start a beauty salon in Dubai in a free zone or on the mainland.
- Examples of free zones in Dubai include Meydan Free Zone, Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC), and Dubai Healthcare City.
- Dubai free zone companies can trade with the Dubai mainland if they have a permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism.
- It’s faster to set up a business in a free zone than get a Dubai mainland license, as free zones have .
3. Get Initial Approval
- You will need initial approval from the relevant authorities (free zone or mainland) to apply for a trade license.
- You should submit documents like the owner’s passport copy, trade name reservation, and a business plan.
- Dubai municipality might also visit your salon for a site inspection.
- Once you get the approval, you can start your license application.
4. Apply for a Beauty Salon License in Dubai
To apply for a beauty salon license, you will need to submit:
- License application form
- Initial approval certificate
- Owner and shareholder personal documents (passport, visa)
- Legal documents (Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, Shareholder certificate, Certificate of Incorporation)
- Business office address (Ejari)
Your license is issued for one or two years, and must be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date.
5. Start Your Operations
- Once you get your license, you can apply for visas for yourself and your employees.
- You will also need an NOC from the Dubai Municipality, which is free to obtain.
- You can design your interiors, buy the necessary equipment and supplies.
- You should open a bank account for your business.
- You should invest in marketing and advertising to spread the word about your new business.
- Having a soft launch before the big opening can be a good way to broadcast your services and offer welcome discounts to potential customers.
What is the Beauty Salon Setup Cost?
- Trade license: AED 10,000- AED 50,000
- Interior design costs: AED 80,000 – AED 500,000
- Equipment & Furniture: AED 50,000 – AED 200,000
- Rent: AED 70,000 – AED 500,000 per year
- Trade name reservation: AED 600 – AED 700
- Initial approval certificate: AED 150 – AED 200
Calculate Your Beauty Salon Setup Cost
What are the Requirements for Getting a Beauty Salon License in Dubai?
There are certain health and safety (HSE) regulations you must follow to get a trade license to open a salon in Dubai:
- All your staff must have a valid Occupational Health Card from the Dubai Municipalities Clinic and Community Health after passing a medical fitness test.
- Your salon’s floor plan and premises has to be approved by the Dubai Municipality’s Health & Safety Department before any interior work begins.
- There should be washbasins with both hot and cold water installed in the necessary service areas.
- The distance between the ceiling and floor of the beauty salon must be higher than 2.30m.
- All tools and equipment should be properly sterilized.
- There should be a name board in front of the beauty salon.
- Unisex salons must have separate spaces for men and women.
- Beauty treatments such as pedicure, manicure, hair removal, and henna design require separate areas larger than 2.50m x 1.50m with proper partitions.
- All products, including cosmetics, have to be registered with the Dubai Municipality’s Montaji system.
Start a Beauty Salon Business in Dubai with A&A Associate
A&A Associate is UAE’s largest business setup advisory . We house expert business setup consultants who can streamline the process of opening a salon in Dubai by handling the professional license in Dubai application, initial approval, visa process, and opening a bank account.
We also provide PRO services in Dubai, accounting, bookkeeping, and internal and external auditing services.
