What about step 1: register an account?

DET says individuals or professional operators register their apartment or villa on the Holiday Homes system.

What about step 2: apply for each unit's permit?

All apartments and villas must be registered and approved by DET prior to listing.

What about what owners should plan for?

Each unit is handled one by one, so a multi-unit operator adds every unit separately. The portal is where changes are made, for example amending classification. Keep your title deed name, Emirates ID and trade licence consistent, since DET matches the owner name to the title deed.

What about what the pages do not say?

They do not state the permit fee, permit validity or renewal period, which unit types are eligible (for example villas in compounds), any cap on units per owner, tourism charges guests pay, or rules for building owners' associations. Those matter for your business model, so ask DET or read the Holiday Homes portal terms before you commit.

Do I need DET approval before listing on a booking site?

DET says all apartments and villas must be registered and approved prior to listing.

Can I register as an individual owner?

Yes. DET offers accounts for individual owners and professional operators.

What if my name is not on the title deed?

DET states that for owners the account name must match the unit title deed. For operators, a Property Management Letter and trade licence are part of the documents.

How long does approval take?

DET says applications are reviewed within one business day, and an account is activated within one business day of payment.

The pages we read do not state permit fee amounts. Check the portal.

What about once you are licensed?

Registration makes you legal. Distribution is a separate job. Fursat's own guest stays are in India, so we do not list homes in the UAE, but if you also own or manage property in India you can start at /list-your-property, and our free channel manager explains how calendar sync across booking sites works. For the basics of the Indian system, read How to Start a Homestay in India. For a neighbouring regime written the same way, see How to Start a Homestay in Nepal.

Journal/Homestay Guides

4 min read · 7 October 2026

How to Register a Holiday Home in Dubai (DET Permit Process)

Dubai holiday homes must be registered and approved by the Department of Economy and Tourism before listing. Register an account, add each unit, upload documents, self-classify and pay.

Sneha Surana

dubaiuaeholiday-home

How to Register a Holiday Home in Dubai (DET Permit Process)

Keep reading.

Do I need DET approval before listing on a booking site?

Can I register as an individual owner?

What if my name is not on the title deed?

How long does approval take?

What does it cost?