Banquet kitchen
Mainland License — Compare Across 3 UAE Emirates
Cheapest from
AED 1,000
Abu Dhabi
3 emirates available
Government Fee Comparison
ADDED — Per-activity fee
AED 1,000
DED fee: AED 1000
Base AED 8,000 + 5% rent
AED 9,500
30K rent
AED 10,500
50K rent
AED 12,000
80K rent
SEDD — Per-license (quote required)
Approvals: Sharjah Municipality - Health Department
Quote required
Fees calculated per-license based on license type, legal form, and activities. C
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About This Activity
Includes the provision of food services based on contractual arrangements with the customers, at the location specified by the customer, such firms are allowed the take away service as the premises lacks the suitable installations for serving food .
Our Analysis
Abu Dhabi charges AED 1,000 for a banquet kitchen license. Dubai's formula starts at AED 8,000. Sharjah on application.
Banquet kitchens serve events — weddings, corporate dinners, government receptions, and private celebrations. The UAE's events market is enormous, driven by a culture of lavish hospitality and a year-round events calendar.
Dubai has the most events venues and the largest catering market. Hotels, convention centres, and dedicated events spaces all need banquet catering. Abu Dhabi's government receptions, ADNEC conferences, and cultural events create parallel demand.
The trade-off: Municipality food safety certification, catering transport permits, and event-specific health inspections add compliance layers.
100% foreign ownership. No local sponsor.
Dubai for the events capital. Abu Dhabi at AED 1,000 for government and conference catering.
For catering free zone options, see FreeZoneCompare.com.
Prices from official government portals, verified May 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Banquet kitchen license cost in Abu Dhabi?
The government DED fee for a Banquet kitchen license in Abu Dhabi is AED 1,000. This is the cheapest among the 3 emirates where this activity is available. Additional costs may include office rent, visa fees, and external approval charges.
Which UAE emirate is cheapest for a Banquet kitchen license?
Abu Dhabi offers the lowest government fee at AED 1,000. However, total setup costs also depend on office rent, visa requirements, and any external approvals needed for this activity.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Banquet kitchen business in the UAE?
Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, most mainland business activities — including Banquet kitchen — allow 100% foreign ownership across all UAE emirates. A local sponsor or service agent is no longer required for most activities.
What approvals are needed for a Banquet kitchen license?
Beyond the DED license, you may need approval from: Restaurants and coffee shops (Dubai), Sharjah Municipality - Health Department (Sharjah). Requirements vary by emirate and specific business scope.
How much does a Banquet kitchen license cost in Dubai?
Dubai uses a formula-based fee: approximately AED 8,000 base fee plus 5% of your annual office rent. For example, with AED 50,000 annual rent, expect roughly AED 10,500 in government fees. Dubai also offers an Instant License at AED 8,000 flat (virtual location) and budget SME/Intelaq licenses at AED 1,070.
Is Banquet kitchen available as a mainland license in all UAE emirates?
Banquet kitchen is available for mainland licensing in 3 emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah. Each emirate has its own DED with independent fee structures and requirements. Use MainlandCompare.com to compare fees across all available emirates.
What type of license is Banquet kitchen in the UAE?
Banquet kitchen falls under the Professional license category in the UAE. Professional licenses cover consultancy, services, and skilled trades.
Is it cheaper to get a Banquet kitchen license in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
Abu Dhabi is significantly cheaper at AED 1,000 versus Dubai's estimated AED 10,500 (at AED 50,000 rent). However, Dubai offers a larger market with 3.6 million residents and 16 million annual tourists.
How long does it take to get a Banquet kitchen mainland license?
Setup time varies by emirate: Dubai offers same-day approval with the Instant License (AED 8,000), or 1-3 working days for a Normal License. Abu Dhabi takes 2-5 working days. Sharjah and Ajman take 1-5 working days. Additional time may be needed for external approvals.
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