How to obtain yourBusiness Operation Permit
in Expo City Dubai

Version 02, June 2024

Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai is a sustainable, innovationdriven, people-centric city of the future. Itis an integral part of the Dubai 2040 Urban
Master Plan, which emphasises the need forsustainable growth and greener, healthiercommunities.
Expo City Dubai is an integrated community
to work, live and play. A city built on
sustainability and designed for wellbeing,
where all daily needs are within a 15-minute
walk or bike ride.
As a blueprint for eco-conscious urban
planning, Expo City Dubai expects entities
operating within the city to align with its
goals in creating a balanced community thatthrives in harmony with the environment.

Expo City Dubai is a purpose-driven
community that comprises premium offices,
unique event venues, stunning green spaces,
exercise grounds, cultural and entertainment
attractions, hotels, restaurants andresidential units, all within a tech-enabledenvironment fully focused on sustainability.

Business Operation Permit
Clients holding a valid Dubai mainland
licence and wishing to operate temporarily
or for a pre-determined period of time withinExpo City Dubai (hereinafter known as ECD)
may apply for an ECD Business OperationPermit (hereinafter known as a BOP). The
ECD BOPs are available for a duration of one
day up to twelve (12) months.

Types of operation carried out with an ECD BOP

FoodtruckPop-upstore

Marketstall/kiosk

Activations(commercial andnon-commercial)

Figure 1   Types of operation carried out with an ECD BOP

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How to obtain your Business Operation Permit in Expo City DubaiTo obtain an ECD BOP, the client must submit the mandated legal documents to theExpo City Dubai Authority (hereinafter known as ECDA) and complete the steps below.
ECD will assign each client an Account Manager to support and manage their permit journey.

Permit journey

STEP 1*ECDA reviews application andrequests the client to submit
approvals for controlled businessactivities from government
authorities (if applicable)

STEP 3

ECDA reviews submission
and issues BOP

Client submits ECDA Business
Operation Permit application
form, supporting documents andcompletes payment

STEP 2

Client submits approvals fromgovernment authorities (if applicable)

STEP 4**Up to 5
working days

*ECDA will issue letters addressed to the relevant authorities to allow clients to obtain approvals for controlled businessactivities. Such activities include food & beverage, alcohol and shisha service.
**Upon successful submission of all documents and completion of payment.

Figure 2   Permit journey

How to obtain your Business Operation Permit in Expo City Dubai

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STEP 1
The first step of the process requires the client to submit the ECDA Business Operation Permit
application form along with the below listed documents to the designated Account Managerand complete full payment for the BOP. Controlled business activities are any activities
that require additional approval from governing authorities. Such activities include, but are
not limited to, food and beverage, alcohol and shisha service. Clients that will operate with
controlled business activities will be required to submit additional documents and obtainapprovals from relevant governing authorities.

Required documents for BOP
ECDA Business Operation Permit application form

Proposed BOP Manager, as per parent
company's Dubai mainland licence› Passport copy with specimen signature› United Arab Emirates visa copy
› Emirates ID copy (both sides)

Copy of the Parent Company Licence, as per Dubai mainland licence (with minimum 3months validity)
No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate in ECD from the parent company (to be oncompany letterhead, stamped and duly signed by the authorised signatory)
Copy of the signed ECD Lease Agreement
Copy of Power of Attorney for authorised signatories (if applicable)
Copy of approvals from government authorities (if applicable) for any controlled businessactivities for the parent company, including but not limited to, food and beverage, alcohol,
shisha and events.*
Brand Ownership Document or Franchise Agreement (if applicable)*Please refer to the 'Expo City Dubai controlled business activities: food and beverage, shisha and alcohol' guide for details.
Table 1   Required documents for BOP

STEP 2The ECDA team will carry out a review of the submitted BOP application form and supporting
documents. If additional approvals from government authorities are not required, ECDA willcomplete the review and issue the ECD BOP to the client.
For controlled business activities, ECDA will issue NOC letters to the relevant authorities toallow clients to obtain the necessary approvals.
STEPS 3 AND 4
Once the client submits to ECDA the necessary approvals from government authorities forany controlled business activities, the documents will undergo a final review and the ECD
BOP will be issued.
ECD BOP requirements are subject to change and the client may be required to provide
additional documentation to complete the permit process. Please refer to the latest requirements
as set out in the ‘How to obtain your Business Operation Permit in Expo City Dubai’ guidelines.
For any further queries or clarifications please contact the Expo City Dubai Authority Client
Relations Centre at CRC@expocitydubai.ae or contact your ECD Account Manager.

4How to obtain your Business Operation Permit in Expo City Dubai