Question 1

When do I need an activity permit?

Accepted Answer

You need an activity permit if you are a venue such as a hotel, mall or restaurant or any venue wanting to organise recurring entertainment or activities, such as a musician, a band, shows or a temporary play area.

Question 2

What happens if my activity permit is rejected?

Accepted Answer

You can discuss your case by contacting the DET e-Permit department via the e-Permit portal. All concerns will be resolved on a case-by-case basis.

Question 3

How soon will I get my activity permit after it's approved?

Accepted Answer

Upon approval, your activity permit will be issued within one business day.

Question 4

How long can an activity continue for?

Accepted Answer

Activities can last from one day to three months.

Question 5

Who can apply for this service?

Accepted Answer

Only hotel operators can apply for a tent permit.

Question 6

When can I apply for a temporary tent permit?

Accepted Answer

You can apply for a tent permit up to 24 hours before the day of the proposed event.

Question 7

Can I apply for an entertainment event permit in the entertainment tent?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as soon as the entertainment tent permit is issued, the tent will be added under the sub-venue listing of the hotel. You can apply for the entertainment event permit by selecting it from this list.

Question 8

Can I amend my request for entertainment tent permit?

Accepted Answer

No, but you can apply for a new one.

Question 9

Can I extend my request for entertainment tent permit?

Accepted Answer

You can apply as a new permit and include your new dates.

Question 10

Can I add a new activity type to an issued permit?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is possible for entertainment activity permits.

Question 11

How many times can I amend the activity permit?

Accepted Answer

There is no limit to the amendments. Some amendments need to be conducted before the activity starts, while others can be done when the activity is still ongoing.

Question 12

Is there any fee for this service?

Accepted Answer

No, it&rsquo;s free of charge.

Question 13

What are the types of private activities?

Accepted Answer

Events of a personal nature like birthdays, engagements and weddings. Some corporate events also fall under private activities, such as staff meetings (as long as the attendees are staff members in the same organisation).

Question 14

How long does it take to get an activity amendment approved?

Accepted Answer

On approval, your permit will be amended within one business day.

Question 15

When should I apply for private activity?

Accepted Answer

Once you have secured your venue you can apply for a private activity permit. Applications can be received up until 24 hours before the event commences.

Question 16

What makes DCT different?

Accepted Answer

Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) is a government-backed college established by Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai. Our curriculum is designed to embed the life skills and confidence graduates need to build exciting careers in the tourism industry. We deliver this through a platform of practical and vocational training, including internships, site visits, workshops and collaborative projects - taught by teachers with direct industry experience and with special insights from guest lecturers from the very best of homegrown and international industry leaders. A fully comprehensive education delivered from one of the world's most pioneering tourism brands.

Question 17

Are the DCT courses accredited?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our courses follow the National Qualification Framework of UAE are validated by NQC/MOE UAE. DCT is an approved vocational college by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Dubai College of Tourism also has global accreditation with the Institute of Hospitality for its programmes in Tourism, Events, Hospitality and Culinary Arts.

Question 18

Is IELTS or TOEFL certification necessary to apply?

Accepted Answer

International students do require either IELTS or TOEFL certification.
UAE residents are required to pass our English Aptitude Assessment.

Question 19

When is the intake?

Accepted Answer

Admissions are for a September intake every year. Applications can be made by completing the application form on dct.ac.ae.

Question 20

Can I visit the college?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have formal Open Days. You can register by visiting DCT Open Days. Once you register, you will receive an e-mail and a call from the team to confirm your place. Or you can contact us at info@dct.ac.ae to arrange a visit.

Question 21

What is the cost?

Accepted Answer

The latest pricing schedule can be found on the Dubai College of Tourism website.

Question 22

Can I pay in instalments?

Accepted Answer

Residents of the UAE have the option to pay in instalments.

Question 23

Do I have to pay to apply?

Accepted Answer

No, applications are free.

Question 24

What prerequisites must be in place if I wish to apply for a desert camp permit?

Accepted Answer

To apply for the desert permit, you have to have the following:

A valid safari permit with 10 vehicles owned and registered under the company, or five vehicles plus a bus with a minimum of 45 seats registered to the company.

Minimum five tour guides at the company.

Approval from the department of Civil Defense.

Approval from Dubai Municipality.

Question 25

Can I apply for a desert camp permit with freelance drivers or tour guides?

Accepted Answer

No, safari drivers and tour guides must be under the company visa.

Question 26

How long is a desert camp permit valid for?

Accepted Answer

A safari permit is valid for one year or until the expiry of the tenancy contract.

Question 27

How can I renew my desert camp permit?

Accepted Answer

If your permit has expired, you have to apply for a new permit.

Question 28

Can I amend desert camp permit to extend its area?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can as long as you have all of the necessary and updated documentation in place.

Question 29

How many tour guides can I add to my permit?

Accepted Answer

A minimum of five tour guides are needed to be issued a permit.
You can add as many tour guides as you wish above the minimum of five.

Question 30

How can I amend or add new vehicle to my desert camp permit?

Accepted Answer

When you amend your permit you can change these details.

Question 31

Who can apply for a tour operator desk permit?

Accepted Answer

Tour operators and tourism companies.

Question 32

How long does it take to apply and get approved for a tour operator counter or kiosk?

Accepted Answer

It can take up to 24 hours to receive an approval for a tourism counter or kiosk.

Question 33

Can I amend or renew my counter permit?

Accepted Answer

No, you need to apply for new one after expiry.

Question 34

Are there any specifications for the required travel desk photos?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the photos must be clear, and show the counter from two different angles.

Question 35

Are there any events that you can’t list on Dubai Calendar?

Accepted Answer

You can not list the following event types on Dubai Calendar:

Private functions or closed invitation events
Branded product launches or in-store promotions
Events selling art, retail or commercial products
Any auditions, workshops, courses or classes
Individual school events, programmes or holiday camps
Events of personal benefit, such as weddings, graduations, reunions, anniversaries, birthdays, etc
Events for political organisations whose primary purpose is to
influence legislation
Events that promote alcohol, firearms, weapons, pornography,
gambling/lottery, political issues and comparative sponsorship

Question 36

Do I have to have an e-ticketing permit to list my event on Dubai calendar?

Accepted Answer

You don&rsquo;t need an e-ticketing permit to list your event on Dubai Calendar. However, you do need an event permit.

Question 37

How can I modify/remove my event listing on Dubai Calendar?

Accepted Answer

If you would like to change your event listing, please contact us.

Question 38

How long does it take to have my event appear on the Dubai Calendar?

Accepted Answer

Your event will be listed within two business days if all your documentation is complete.

Question 39

Can I get financial support for my event?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As DET, we offer sponsorship opportunities. Read more about sponsorship options

Question 40

Where can I register for Dubai Expert?

Accepted Answer

Please visit www.dubaiexpert.ae

Question 41

Who is eligible to become a Dubai Expert?

Accepted Answer

Only travel agents and tour operators are valid to become a Dubai Expert.

Question 42

What do I need to do become a Dubai Expert?

Accepted Answer

To become a Dubai Expert, you are required to:

- Achieve a Perfect score on a minimum of 17 missions

- Watch all 25 videos embedded in the game

Question 43

How long should it take me to complete Dubai Expert?

Accepted Answer

We recommend spreading your Dubai Expert journey out over a few days to become fully immersed in it, and benefit from greater recall.

Question 44

How long will it take to become a Dubai Expert?

Accepted Answer

To become a Dubai Expert requires the completion of 17 missions, 25 videos and 50 timed questions. It could be completed in a day, but we suggest to &lsquo;play&rsquo; over time.

Question 45

What sort of results can I get in Dubai Expert?

Accepted Answer

For each mission you play, you can get one of three results. Perfect: the player managed to achieve a score that is high enough to unlock all the three rewards embedded in a mission. Completed: the player successfully completed a mission but didn't manage to achieve a high enough score. Failed: A mission is failed when the Traveller Satisfaction gauge falls to zero.

Question 46

Is there an additional level that I can progress to in Dubai Expert?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can become a Dubai Expert Plus by meeting the following criteria:

- Perfect scores in 27 missions
- Watch all 25 videos
- Answer all 55 timed questions correctly

Question 47

What are the technical requirements for playing Dubai Expert?

Accepted Answer

Dubai Expert works best on Chrome or Firefox browsers.

The Dubai Expert game will take two to five minutes to download, during which time the browser must be kept open.

Navigation away from the page will pause game download. Any use of a proxy or VPN may disrupt Dubai Expert. Dubai Expert is also available on Play store and APP store.

Question 48

Does Dubai Expert work on all web browsers?

Accepted Answer

For optimal performance, we suggest that the Dubai Expert game is played using Chrome or Firefox browsers.

Question 49

Is there a Dubai Expert App?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Dubai Expert is available on both the Apple's App store and Google's Play Store.

Question 50

What is Dubai Way?

Accepted Answer

Dubai Way is the training and engagement platform for anyone who interacts with tourists as part of their job. Having the correct knowledge and information about Dubai, it&rsquo;s history, culture and heritage and excellent customer service skills are critical to delivering exceptional experiences for visitors to Dubai.

Question 51

How does Dubai Way work?

Accepted Answer

The Dubai Way training is completely online. It is video based learning with interactive activities and assessments throughout to verify your knowledge.

Question 52

How much does using Dubai Way cost?

Accepted Answer

Your employer will be responsible for the cost of the Dubai Way and you should register for the Dubai Way via your employer who will provide you with their establishment code.

Question 53

How can I register?

Accepted Answer

If you are resident and working in Dubai, you can register for Dubai Way via your employer. Your employer should be a registered establishment with Dubai Way and they will be able to provide you with an establishment code. Once you have the establishment code, you can register using your Emirates ID and progress to the Dubai Way training platform.

Question 54

I am stuck. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

There is a live chat assistant available 24 hours a day to assist you with your learning. Please click onto the Need Help button.

Question 55

How long will it take me to complete the Dubai Way?

Accepted Answer

Each course can take anything from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how often you study. Once you commence any of the courses on Dubai Way, you have 90 days to complete the course before the training will time out.

Question 56

Is Dubai Way translated into different languages?

Accepted Answer

Level 2 of Dubai Way is taught in English with subtitles provided in Arabic and Mandarin languages. Level 1 of Dubai Way has both voiceover and subtitles in English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, and Bengali

Question 57

When I finish the Dubai Way, what will I receive?

Accepted Answer

As a graduate of the Dubai Way, you will be recognized as a Dubai Way champion and will receive a certificate and pin in recognition of your achievement.

Question 58

Why is completing the Dubai Way important?

Accepted Answer

Tourism is a major contributor to Dubai&rsquo;s GDP and the reason why we all have job opportunities. With more knowledge and information you will be better prepared to welcome tourists and to provide the very best tourism experience. The better the tourism experience, the more visitors will want to return and the more opportunities for all of us.

Question 59

What types of events do I need a permit for?

Accepted Answer

Entertainment, sport, business, religious and charity events are all event types that require permits issued through e-Permit portal.

Question 60

What documents are required for registration?

Accepted Answer

For registration purposes, you are only required to submit:
A copy of trade license,
The event coordinator Passport copy (venue account),
An NOC for Registration and the Emirates ID for the system user.

A maximum file size of 10 MB is permitted and .html, .htm, .aspx, .exe,.xhtml and .dll files are not accepted.

Question 61

If a trade licence is expired, can I register in the system?

Accepted Answer

Your trade license must be valid for a minimum of four weeks prior to the event start date. The e-permit system will automatically send a notification to renew your licence three months before expiry.

Question 62

Can any event organiser register to run any type of event?

Accepted Answer

To apply for an event, a company trade license should clearly state one of the following activities for the e-Permits registration:
Entertainment events: Parties and entertainment services
Business events: Conference and exhibition organisation
Sport events: Rallies and sport tournament organising services, sports exhibition organising or sports services or event management.

A free zone company license should clearly state ‘Event management’ activity in order to register on the e-Permits portal. Additionally, you can apply for events permits within free-zone areas.

Question 63

How long will it take to approve my account?

Accepted Answer

It will be approved within 24 hours.

Question 64

How soon will I get my event permit after it's approved?

Accepted Answer

Upon approval, your activity permit will be issued within five business days after receipt of payment of fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Activities

DCT

Desert camps

Dubai Calendar

Dubai Expert

Dubai Way

Event permits

Event sponsorship

Event ticketing

Holiday homes

Hotel classification

Hotel management

Medyaf

Events with DET

Safari drivers

Safari vehicles

Setting up a business

Suppliers

Timeshare

Tour guides

Trade events