How to Start a Catering Business in UAE
The UAE events industry and corporate catering market offer exceptional opportunities for professional catering businesses serving conferences, weddings, and daily corporate meal programs.
What You Need to Get Started
F&B Trade License
DED catering and food services trade license covering corporate catering, event catering, and institutional food service activities.
DHA Commissary Kitchen
DHA-approved commercial kitchen for all food preparation — inspected for HACCP compliance, equipment standards, and staff hygiene procedures.
Staff Health Cards
Valid municipality health cards mandatory for all chefs, food handlers, and serving staff — renewed annually and kept on-site for inspection.
Food Transport Compliance
Food delivery vehicles must meet UAE food safety standards for temperature control, hygiene, and loading/unloading procedures. Vehicle registration with the municipality is required.
HACCP System
Documented HACCP food safety management system covering all production steps from raw material receipt through transport to client delivery.
Event NOC Process
For events in hotels, malls, or public spaces, catering companies must obtain venue NOC and sometimes additional municipality event permits.
How to Start Your Catering Business in 5 Steps
Define Catering Scope
Decide your catering specialization — corporate events, weddings, schools, healthcare, or social gatherings. Scope determines your license activities and kitchen commissary requirements.
Get F&B Trade License
Obtain a food and beverage trade license covering catering services from DED or a freezone. Arab First handles trade name reservation and MOA registration.
DHA Kitchen Approval
Your commissary kitchen must be approved by DHA (or the relevant health authority) before any catering operations begin. Arab First manages the full inspection and approval process.
Municipality Food Permit
Obtain a Dubai Municipality food establishment permit for your kitchen premises — covering HACCP implementation, food storage, and transport vehicle compliance.
Staff & Fleet Setup
Process chef and service staff visas, obtain health cards for all food handlers, and certify food transport vehicles for municipality compliance.
Catering Business in UAE FAQs
Can I run a catering business from a home kitchen in Dubai?
No. UAE food safety regulations require all commercial food preparation to occur in an approved commissary kitchen — not a domestic kitchen. Arab First connects you with shared commissary kitchen facilities to minimize capital expenditure at launch.
Do I need a different license for corporate vs wedding catering?
No. A single catering trade license covers all catering event types. However, specific venues (hotels, EXPO sites) may require additional approvals or pre-approval registration as an approved vendor.
How do I get approved as a catering vendor for schools?
School catering requires KHDA (private schools) or relevant education authority approval in addition to standard food safety licensing. Arab First manages the multi-authority approval process for education sector caterers.
How many staff visas does a catering company license include?
Visa quota depends on kitchen premises size. A standard commissary kitchen unit provides 8-15 visa slots. Larger operations can negotiate higher quotas. Arab First structures your license for maximum staffing flexibility.
Can I offer home meal delivery from a catering license?
Yes. A catering trade license covers home meal delivery, subscription meal plans, and corporate meal programs. Integration with delivery platforms requires commercial partner registration but no additional licensing.
Ready to Launch Your Catering Business?
Arab First guides you through every step — license, visa, bank account, and compliance. Contact us today.