Issuing a sailing permit or a permit to operate for visiting foreign yachts to allow them to sail or operate during the permit’s validity period.

DMCA issues a sailing permit or a permit to operate for the shipped visiting foreign yachts or through sailing after ensuring that they meet all the required conditions and pledging to abide by all navigational laws in force in the Emirate.

Individuals: marine craft owners or operators, including citizens of the GCC and other countries.

Companies and Institutions: Owners of recreational marine crafts or commercial ones.

1. The sailing permit issued for the foreign visiting yacht is valid for (6) months and may be renewed for the same period, provided that the attached documents such as the sailing permit and insurance policy are valid and unless the visiting yacht has not left the territorial waters of UAE
2. The sailing permit shall be canceled upon the departure of the visiting foreign vessel from the waters of the Emirate. An application for issuing a new permit must be submitted when the foreign yacht returns to the waters of the Emirate again.
3. The permit to operate for visiting foreign yachts is valid for (6) months. The customer shall apply for a new permit (180) days from the first permit expiry date.

1 - Issuance of a sailing permit for visiting foreign yachts.

The stages of issuing the sailing permit for visiting foreign yachts

The process is being implemented in two phases:

First phase: submitting the application and obtaining initial approval

1. The ship agent shall apply for the issuance of a sailing permit by sending all the required documents to Sail@pcfc.ae within a period not exceeding (5) five working days from the date of the foreign yacht entry to the Emirate.
2. After obtaining the DMCA’s approval, the ship agent has to pay the required fees.

Required Documents:

Please make sure to attach clear copies of the following required documents in Arabic or English.

In the event that no document is available in the mentioned languages, a copy translated by an approved translator may be submitted along with a copy of the original document

1. Filling the foreign visiting yacht permit application form
2. A copy of commercial license for an authorized marine agent to operate in Dubai along with letter of undertaking to comply with all DMCA requirements.
3. A copy of the navigation license or legal documents proving ownership of the marine craft issued by the flag state, in addition to a copy of a valid and approved classification certificate.
4. A copy of the data of the foreign yacht owner for individuals or a copy of the valid commercial license if the owner of the marine craft is a legal person, in addition to the authorization to use and sail for the captain of the marine craft; certified by the official authorities in the absence of the owner of the commercial license on board the marine craft.
5. Berthing contract from one of the marine clubs or an anchorage permit issued by DMCA.
6. A copy of an insurance policy for the marine craft covering the period of the visiting foreign marine craft, including the territorial waters of the country, in addition to removing the wreck.
7. A copy of the valid license of the captain and crew on board the marine craft.
8. In case the yacht is shipped, it is necessary to provide the bill of lading number in addition to the name and code of the customs broker, in order to issue a letter of undertaking directed to Dubai Customs so that the foreign yacht is exempted from paying the 5% tax fee.

After ensuring that all the required documents are completed, the ship agent shall pay the sailing permit fees and complete the second phase procedures.

Second phase: sailing permit issuance

Required Documents:

1. Valid (Passed) Inspection Report issued by Dubai Customs.
2. Entry permit issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs attached with a list of passengers and crew on board of the marine craft.

After completing all procedures, an electronic copy of the sailing permit will be sent to the ship agent.

Note: DMCA has the right to conduct a technical inspection or authorize a representative to conduct the technical inspection for the visiting foreign yacht in order to verify its safety, seaworthiness, and compliance with all safety requirements and applicable laws in the Emirate of Dubai before or after issuing a sailing permit.

2 - Issuance of an operation permit for visiting foreign yachts.

The stages of issuing the operation permit for visiting foreign yachts

The process of issuing an operation permit for a visiting foreign yacht takes place in two phases:

First phase: submitting the application and foreign yacht inspection

1. The ship agent shall apply for the issuance of an operation permit by sending all the required documents to Sail@pcfc.ae within a period not exceeding (5) five working days from the date of the foreign yacht entry to the Emirate.
2. After obtaining the DMCA’s approval, the ship agent has to pay the required fees.

Required Documents:

Please make sure to attach clear copies of the following required documents in Arabic or English.

In the event that no document is available in the mentioned languages, a copy translated by an approved translator may be submitted along with a copy of the original document

1. Filling the foreign visiting yacht permit application form
2. A copy of commercial license for an authorized marine agent to operate in Dubai along with letter of undertaking to comply with all DMCA requirements.
3. A copy of the navigation license or legal documents proving ownership of the marine craft issued by the flag state, in addition to a copy of a valid and approved classification certificate.
4. A copy of the data of the foreign yacht owner for individuals or a copy of the valid commercial license if the owner of the marine craft is a legal person, in addition to the authorization to use and sail for the captain of the marine craft; certified by the official authorities in the absence of the owner of the commercial license on board the marine craft.
5. Berthing contract from one of the marine clubs or an anchorage permit issued by DMCA.
6. A copy of a partnership agreement between the foreign yacht owner and a local charter company licensed to operate in the Emirate, in addition to a copy of the commercial license of the local charter company.
7. A copy of an insurance policy for the marine craft covering the period of the visiting foreign marine craft, including the territorial waters of the country, in addition to removing the wreck.
8. A copy of the valid license of the captain and crew on board the marine craft.
9. In case the yacht is shipped, it is necessary to provide the bill of lading number in addition to the name and code of the customs broker, in order to issue a letter of undertaking directed to Dubai Customs so that the foreign yacht is exempted from paying the 5% tax fee.

After ensuring that all the required documents are completed, a date will be set for the technical inspection of the foreign yacht and to complete the second phase procedures.

Second phase: operation permit issuance

After passing the technical inspection, the customer shall submit the following documents and pay the operating fees.

Required Documents:

1. Valid (Passed) Inspection Report issued by Dubai Customs.
2. Entry permit issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs attached with a list of passengers and crew on board of the marine craft.

After completing all procedures, an electronic copy of the operation permit will be sent to the ship agent.

Note: DMCA has the right to conduct a technical inspection or authorize a representative to conduct the technical inspection for the visiting foreign yacht in order to verify its safety, seaworthiness, and compliance with all safety requirements and applicable laws in the Emirate of Dubai during the period of the foreign yacht operation in the waters of the Emirate.

3 - Technical requirements and specifications for visiting foreign yachts

The captain of the visiting foreign yacht shall comply with the following technical requirements and specifications:

1. The yacht shall be equipped with safety and navigational equipment, radio communication, and environment protection equipment in accordance with the sailing area, number of crew and passengers as per license requirements in the country where the yacht is registered.
2. Repairing or replacing safety and navigational equipment, radio communication, fire detection and firefighting equipment or any other equipment that may require to be maintained or replaced before yacht leaves the UAE territorial waters.

• Dubai Customs
• The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai

Payment shall be made online through the DMCA portal electronic payment gateway

No Data Available.

1. The process of reviewing and issuing the initial approval to issue a sailing permit takes one (1) working day if all the required documents are completed.
2. The sailing permit is issued one (1) working day after paying the required fees.
3. The process of reviewing and booking a technical inspection appointment to issue an operation permit for a foreign yacht takes one (1) working day if all the required documents are completed.
4. The operation permit is issued one (1) working day after paying the required fees.

1. General Inquiry: Reply to the customer on General inquires in 1 Working Day
2. Technical Inquiry: Reply to the customer on Technical inquires in 4 Working Day
3. Technical Error: Reply to the customer on General errors in 5 Working Day