Is My Salon Licensed? How to Check a Dubai Salon or Beauty Centre

Dubai Municipality's technical guidelines for salons, barbershops and beauty centres (version 5, issued 26 March 2026) say a salon may provide services only after obtaining the necessary licences, and only the activities listed on its commercial or professional licence. That gives you a simple first check: is the salon licensed, and is the service you want on its licence?

Step 1: look up the trade licence

Dubai trade licences can be verified on the Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) website. According to Khaleej Times (March 2025), the steps are:

1. Open the e-services section.
2. Select licence information.
3. Search by the company's English or Arabic name, or by its licence number.

The company profile shows the licence status, expiry date, legal type, contact details, business activities and, where available, the physical address. Compare the listed activities with what the salon is offering you.

Some salons sit in free zones and are licensed there instead. Trakhees, for example, required ladies' salons in its areas to hold a trade licence from Trakhees or JAFZA with a business name matching the services offered (Trakhees guideline, April 2018). If a salon does not appear on DET, ask which authority issued its licence.

Step 2: check the service is allowed in a salon

A salon licence does not cover everything. The 2026 Dubai Municipality guidelines say non-surgical cosmetic services require approvals and permits from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and that beauty centres, salons and barbershops must not provide unauthorised medical services or give medical advice. If a salon offers something that sounds clinical, see our guide to which cosmetic treatments need a licensed clinic, and you can check an individual practitioner using our explainer on checking a healthcare practitioner's licence.

Step 3: what else a licensed salon should be able to show

Under the 2026 guidelines, the owner must be able to present the business licence, a no-objection certificate for the approved internal layout, and an updated employee list on request. Every service provider needs a valid professional health certificate meeting Dubai's requirements. In April 2022, Gulf News reported that inspectors check the occupational health card records of every beauty worker and verify each establishment's trade licence.

Salons are also graded after Dubai Municipality inspections. Gulf News reported in November 2022 that grades run from A (highest) to F (lowest). Only salons with an A classification and no violations can apply for the municipality's voluntary "Ideal Salon" certification (Ideal Salon guidelines, July 2025).

Home visits

Home or mobile salon services are a separate activity. In 2018, Dubai officials told Gulf News that salon staff needed a separate permit from the economic department to offer home services, and that home services are at the customer's own risk. Rules may have changed since; ask the provider which permit covers home visits.

What to check

• Search the salon on the DET website and confirm the licence is active and not expired.
• Check that the service you are booking matches the activities listed.
• For laser, injections or other clinical treatments, expect a DHA-licensed facility, not a salon.
• Ask if you are unsure who issued a free-zone licence.
• Report concerns to Dubai Municipality: 800900 (24/7), the 04 platform (04.gov.ae) or ehcinspection@dm.gov.ae.
• Browse beauty listings in our Directory.

For general information. Details can change; check with Dubai Municipality or Dubai Economy and Tourism before relying on them.