Dubai Alcohol Licence Holders Must Renew From September

Existing red cards will no longer be valid for purchasing drinks in stores or online by the end of August

Current red licenses will expire after 31st August 2020, and Dubai residents possessing a valid alcohol license will need to apply for a new black and gold card to purchase their beverages.

To get a new liquor license in Dubai, red card holders must visit Maritime & Mercantile International (MMI) or African + Eastern (A+E) stores. You will only need to bring a valid Emirates ID and AED 25.

To obtain a licence, you must be a non-Muslim resident who is 21 years old or above.

The process for a new card has been simplified with less paperwork required. If your red card has any remaining months on it, these will be carried forward to the newly issued one.

First-time applicants for an alcohol license will also no longer need a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their employer or sponsor. The cost of a new license is AED 270. However, if you are a UAE resident who lives outside of Dubai, you will need an NoC letter to complete your application.

Once your application has been submitted, you must pay the fee.

Upon submission of application, you are required to pay the license fee. Your application will then be forwarded for approval to Dubai Police, and typically takes 2-3 weeks for a response.

To apply, you can also visit: https://www.mmidubai.com/retail/liquor-licence/ or https://www.africaneastern.com/get-a-licence

Visitors and tourists in the country will still be able to purchase drinks from stores by showing their passports with a valid UAE visa/stamp. The visitor will then receive a temporary membership number.

As per UAE law, a valid personal alcohol license is a legal requirement for any Dubai resident who wishes to drink, transport, or store alcohol at home.