DMCA issues sailing permits for visiting foreign pleasure marine crafts providing that they comply with all maritime laws applied in Dubai and apply within a period of not more than five (5) workdays entering the emirate’s territorial waters.

To allow a marine craft to temporarily operate along the territorial waters of Dubai.

Individuals: including UAE citizens and expatriates.

• Customer Happiness Centre – Dubai Maritime City Authority, Ground Floor – Maritime Business Center, Dubai Maritime City
• Customer Happiness Centre – Al Shindagha area – Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) building

1. The permit issued by DMCA is valid for (3) months and may be renewed unless the visiting marine craft has not left the territorial waters of UAE.
2. The visit permit shall be null and void if the foreign pleasure marine craft leaves the territorial waters of the UAE and new permit shall be required upon the marine craft return to the emirate.
3. The visiting foreign pleasure marine craft shall not leave the territorial waters of the emirate without obtaining exit permit from the customs, the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) and General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

DMCA issues sailing permits for visiting foreign pleasure marine crafts providing that they comply with all maritime laws applied in Dubai and apply within a period of not more than five (5) workdays entering the emirate’s territorial waters.

Stages for Visiting Foreign Yachts Sailing Permits

After completing all requirements, the visiting foreign yacht sailing permit will be issued through the following one single stage

Required Documents:

1. Filling the foreign visiting yacht permit application form
2. Commercial license copy of authorised marine agent to operate in Dubai along with letter of undertaking to comply with all DMCA requirements.
3. Copy of valid navigation license or marine craft legal ownership documents issued by the craft’s flag state.
4. Copy of marine craft owner’s passport along with authorisation certificate for the captain to use and sail the marine craft, attested by the competent authorities if marine craft owner is not on board.
5. Entrance permit issued by the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners’ Affairs along with the passengers’ list and working crew on board the marine craft.
6. Berthing contract from one of the marine clubs or maritime maintenance workshops.
7. Copy of marine craft insurance policy with covering the visit period of the foreign marine craft and territorial waters of the emirate.
8. Copy of captain’s valid license and workers on board the marine craft.

Requirements and Technical Specifications of Visiting Pleasure Foreign Marine Craft

1. Marine craft captain shall comply with the following requirements and technical specifications:
   • The marine craft shall be supplied 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 marine craft is registered.
   • 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 marine craft leaves the territorial waters of the emirate.
2. DMCA staff reserve the right to board the visiting marine craft upon its arrival at the emirate, in order to conduct technical inspection on the craft before issuing the sailing permit, and before it leaves the territorial waters of the emirate, to ensure its safety and validity for sailing.

• Medical centres certified by DMCA
• Training centres and institutes certified by DMCA

Payment can be made in cash to the Customer Service Centers of Dubai Maritime City Authority or through portal electronic payment gateway.

From Sunday to Thursday 08:00 am till 01:00 pm
The service is available during official holidays using the DMCA service portal or mobile app.

Processing time varies depending on the procedure, type of requested license and experience certificates

All our customers’ inquiries shall be handled at the same time, or within a period that does not exceed (48) hours in case the request is needed to be addressed to another division.