Thinking about getting into the booming beauty and grooming industry? If yes, it’s a great time to set up a beauty salon in Dubai. The city’s cosmopolitan vibe, large expat population, and high standard of living make it one of the best places in the world to launch a salon business. People in Dubai, especially women, are very particular about self-care and appearance, which keeps the demand for beauty and grooming services consistently high.
Whether you want to open a boutique salon or invest in a franchise, starting your own beauty salon can be an advantageous and profitable venture. However, before you take the plunge, you’ll need to understand the legal requirements, licensing process, and salon setup procedures.
This is where Shuraa comes in. Our experts can guide you through every step, from selecting the ideal location to obtaining your salon license in Dubai, so you can focus on expanding your business without worrying about bureaucratic hurdles.
Understanding Beauty Salon Business Requirements in Dubai
Dubai’s beauty and grooming market is booming, but before you welcome your first client, you need to understand the Beauty Salon business Requirements in Dubai. Don’t worry, it sounds complicated, but we’ll break it down step by step, so you know exactly what to do.
Mainland vs. Free Zone – Where Should You Set Up?
The first decision is where you want to set up your salon:
1. Mainland Salon
If you want to serve walk-in clients, be in a busy commercial area, or expand multiple branches across Dubai, a mainland salon license is perfect for you. You’ll be licensed by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DET) and can operate anywhere in Dubai.
2. Free Zone Salon
Suppose your salon is more focused on serving a specific community (like inside a residential complex or a women-only facility), or you’re just starting small. In that case, a free zone salon license might be a better option. Free zones also offer 100% foreign ownership and can be easier to set up.
Choosing the Right Trade License
Dubai is particular about salon licenses. You need to choose the correct activity type when applying:
- Ladies’ Salon License: For women’s hair, beauty, and grooming services.
- Gents’ Salon License: For men’s grooming, haircuts, shaves, etc.
- Spa or Wellness Centre License: If you plan to offer massages, facials, and other spa services.
Note: You can combine activities, but you must list all of them in your license application to avoid fines later.
Approvals You’ll Need
Before you can open your doors, there are some essential approvals to get:
- DED Approval: The DED issues your trade license, ensuring you are legally permitted to operate a salon in the UAE.
- Dubai Municipality Approval: They will inspect your salon layout and make sure it meets hygiene and health standards (like proper ventilation, approved salon chairs, and safe equipment).
Setting up a salon in Dubai may seem like a difficult task. Still, once you understand the basics, including location (Mainland/Free Zone), the type of trade license, and the necessary approvals, the process becomes relatively smooth. With the proper guidance, you can get your Beauty Salon License in Dubai quickly and start building your dream business.
Benefits of Starting a Salon Business in Dubai
Dubai’s thriving beauty industry offers immense opportunities for entrepreneurs. Launching a salon business in Dubai enters a growing market fueled by the demand for premium grooming services from both residents and tourists. Here are five key benefits to consider.
High Demand for Beauty Services
Dubai’s diverse population prioritises personal care, driving demand for salons. From hair styling to nail art, clients consistently seek high-quality services. This creates a steady customer base for new businesses.
Rewarding Profit Margins
Salons in Dubai can generate substantial revenue due to premium pricing. High-end services, such as spa treatments, attract affluent clients. With proper management, profit margins remain attractive, ensuring financial success.
Prime Location for Growth
Dubai’s global appeal makes it ideal for salon businesses. Its central location draws international visitors, boosting foot traffic. A salon business in Dubai benefits from exposure to a cosmopolitan clientele.
Supportive Business Environment
Dubai offers entrepreneur-friendly policies, including tax incentives and streamlined licensing. Free zones simplify setup for foreign investors. This supportive ecosystem fosters growth and minimises operational hurdles.
Access to Skilled Talent
The city attracts professionals from around the world, ensuring a skilled workforce. Hiring trained stylists and therapists is a straightforward process. This talent pool enhances service quality, thereby elevating customer satisfaction.
Types of Licenses
There are essentially two kinds of licenses to open a beauty salon in Dubai:
License for Men’s Salon in Dubai
A men’s beauty salon license in Dubai is issued to perform hair care and beautification activities. Haircare primarily encompasses hair washing, cutting, dyeing, styling, and other procedures aimed at maintaining and enhancing hair quality and growth.
Moreover, cosmetic treatments can include skin cleansing routines, hair removal, foot care, facial care, and makeovers. The activity group comes under ‘Gent’s Salon’, activity code – 930201.
License for Ladies Salon in Dubai
To open a beauty salon, a license is issued to perform cosmetic, beautification, and hair care treatments. Haircare primarily encompasses hair washing, cutting, dyeing, straightening, henna services, and other specialised hair care treatments.
Furthermore, cosmetics and beautification encompass various activities, including skin purification, manicures, pedicures, makeovers, hair removal, and other facial care routines. The activity group falls under the ‘Ladies Salon’, with activity code 930203.
How to Set Up a Beauty Salon in Dubai?
The process for setting up a salon business in Dubai is straightforward when you’re aware of all the steps involved in the business incorporation process. Therefore, here’s a stepwise summary of the same to make it easier for you:
Step 1: Decide your business model & concept
- Select your salon type: Ladies' salon, Gents' salon, Unisex salon, Nail bar, Spa/wellness, or a hybrid. The type affects the license subclass and approvals needed.
- Define your services, including haircuts, colouring, nails, waxing, skincare, and injectables (note: medical procedures require DHA approvals). Also, outline your target customers, pricing, and brand positioning.
- Create a short business plan with projected revenue, startup budget, break-even, staffing needs and marketing plan.
Step 2: Mainland vs Free Zone
- Mainland (DED/DET): lets you operate anywhere in Dubai, take local retail leases, and trade directly with the UAE market. Most walk-in salons choose mainland licensing.
- Free Zone: Simpler company formation for certain activities but may restrict retail operations and require a local distributor/third-party if you want to trade on the mainland.
Decide based on where you want the salon to be located (mall/high street vs. within a free zone) and whether your target is UAE residents or export/services only.
Step 3: Know the license type & initial approvals you’ll need
Trade/Professional License for Salons: Salons generally fall under a specific category of beauty, personal care, or professional activity as defined by the Department of Economic and Tourism (DET). You’ll need:
- Trade name reservation
- Initial approval from the DED/DET (to proceed)
- Dubai Municipality approvals: technical plans, health & safety compliance and hygiene approvals for salons/barbers/beauty centres.
- Health approvals for some services (if clinical/medical) from DHA or MoHAP.
Salon staff must possess occupational health cards and hold valid certifications as required by Dubai Municipality (e.g., cosmetology qualifications, food-handling/hygiene certifications where applicable).
Step 4: Choose & secure premises (location & fit-out)
- Select area (mall, community centre, high street). Rent varies significantly by location; malls are costly but have high foot traffic, and neighbourhoods are cheaper.
- Dubai Municipality has minimum space/layout, as well as technical requirements (including drainage, ventilation, water supply, disposal of salon waste, surface finishes, and separate rooms for specific treatments); your fit-out plans must comply with these requirements and be approved before operations commence. You’ll submit layout drawings for approval.
Step 5: Obtain Dubai Municipality approvals & inspections
Submit technical plans and hygiene/health documents to Dubai Municipality’s Health & Safety Division. They issue technical guidance and will inspect the premises once the fit-out is complete.
Expect requirements around: electrical safety, plumbing, sterilisation areas, waste disposal, ventilation and staff hygiene certificates. Plan your layout with this in mind to avoid rework.
Step 6: Fit-out, equipment & suppliers
- Order salon furniture, chairs, wash basins, sterilisers, trolleys, colour stations, lighting, mirrors, POS and software.
- Choose approved suppliers and buy materials that meet hygiene standards. Keep invoices and technical specs for Municipality inspections and health audits.
- Budget for contingencies, fit out often reveals hidden costs (electrical upgrades, drainage, landlord requirements).
Step 7: Hire staff, training & compliance
- Recruit licensed stylists, therapists and front-desk staff. Check their professional certificates and ensure they obtain the required Dubai Municipality occupational health cards.
- Train staff in hygiene, waste disposal, customer safety, and use of equipment. Maintain staff files and certificates (these are often checked during inspections).
Step 8: Final inspections & license issuance
- After fit-out and staffing, schedule final inspections with Dubai Municipality and the DED/DET (or free zone authority). Satisfactory inspections lead to the issuance of the trade license and final approvals to operate.
- Register for commercial signage permission (signboard approval) as needed.
Step 9: Visas, labour card & ongoing registrations
- Apply for owner/employee visas and labour cards if you sponsor staff. The cost/timelines vary depending on nationality and visa quotas.
- Register for a corporate bank account (banks usually ask for a trade license, tenancy, passport copies, and board resolution) and consider POS/payment gateway integration for the salon.
Step 10: Marketing, soft launch & operations
- Plan opening promotions, loyalty programs, appointment booking systems and social media pages. Consider local listing (Google Business), collaborations with influencers, mall promotions (if applicable) and digital ads.
- Conduct a soft launch for friends/family to test operations, timings, and customer flow before the grand opening.
Step 11: Renewal, compliance & expansion
- Trade licenses are annual; set reminders for renewals, municipal inspections and staff health card renewals. Keep records of waste disposal, sanitisation logs and training certificates to stay compliant.
- When profitable, plan for service expansion (e.g., adding advanced treatments, retail product lines); some expansions may require amendments to your license activity.
Key Legal & Safety points to remember
- Some beauty or medical procedures (such as laser and injectables) require a DHA/MOHAP licence or a licensed clinical operator; don’t offer regulated medical services without the necessary approvals.
- Follow Dubai Municipality technical guidelines (they specify hygiene, space, equipment & staff health rules). Non-compliance can delay opening or result in fines.
Documents Required to Start a Salon Business in Dubai, UAE
Typical documents required:
- Trade name reservation document.
- Business Plan
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy & visa (for owner/s) or national ID.
- Ejari/lease agreement for premises (tenancy contract).
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the sponsor if required.
- Technical drawings/fit-out plans stamped by an architect (for Dubai Municipality).
- Staff qualification certificates (cosmetology, therapists).
- Application forms and payment of fees (including name reservation fee, initial approval fee, and license issuance).
What are the Beauty Salon License Requirements in Dubai?
When planning to start your dream salon business, it’s crucial to understand the Beauty Salon License Requirements that the Dubai authorities have in place. These requirements ensure your salon is safe, hygienic, and fully compliant with Dubai Municipality (DM) regulations. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to consider before launching your salon:
Staff Requirements
Your staff must have an occupational health card issued by the Dubai Municipality. Additionally, providing proper uniforms for all staff members is mandatory to maintain hygiene and professionalism.
Location Approval from DM
The Planning Department of Dubai Municipality must approve your salon’s location. The signboard should be clearly visible at the entrance. The minimum salon size should be 3.0m width x 3.5m length for one dressing chair. If you plan to add multiple chairs, ensure at least 1 meter of space is maintained between each chair for customer comfort and safety.
Furniture & Interiors
Furniture must be clean, well-maintained, and suitable for use in a salon. Ensure there is sufficient lighting throughout the salon for a welcoming and professional atmosphere.
Water Supply & Drainage
A proper water source and drainage facility are a must. This is one of the critical Beauty Salon License Requirements Dubai enforces to maintain hygiene standards.
Floor & Ceiling Standards
The floor should be non-slippery and easy to clean. The ceiling height in the work area must be at least 2.30 meters to allow proper ventilation.
Separate Service Areas
Plan to offer additional services, such as manicures, pedicures, hair removal, henna design, or facials. Each section must be a minimum of 2.50 × 1.50 meters with proper partitions for client privacy.
Fire Safety
Any area used for preparing cosmetic materials that are prone to catching fire must be constructed using fireproof materials to ensure the safety of both clients and staff.
What is the Cost to Open a Salon in Dubai?
The cost of a men's and ladies' salon license in Dubai typically ranges from AED 10,000* to AED 30,000*, depending on the type of services offered.
Additionally, the annual market fee is calculated as a percentage of your salon’s rent, which may vary depending on the location and size of your salon. Choosing the right spot and setup can help you reduce costs and maximise profits in Dubai’s thriving beauty industry.
Open Your Salon with Shuraa India
Setting up a beauty salon in Dubai can be overwhelming for an expat, as it involves numerous documents and approval procedures in addition to other business-related tasks. Therefore, it’s better to get help from company formation experts.
The business consultants at Shuraa India assist you in obtaining the desired license at a nominal cost and help you set up your business in Dubai, relieving you of all your business concerns. Simply get in touch with us, and we’ll take care of the rest.