SIRA Approval Dubai — Security Industry Licensing
SIRA (Security Industry Regulatory Agency) approval is required for security services in Dubai — guards, CCTV installation, security consulting, alarm monitoring. Setup includes license, individual approvals for guards, and compliance training.
SIRA Licensing — Specialized Security Business
SIRA — Security Industry Regulatory Agency — was established under Dubai government to regulate all security services in the emirate. Any business offering manned security, CCTV installation, alarm monitoring, security consulting, or armed transport requires SIRA approval IN ADDITION to a standard DET trade license. Individual security personnel also need SIRA Identity Cards.
SIRA setup is significantly more involved than standard licensing — background checks for owners, compliance training programs, ongoing audits, and individual approvals for each operating guard. Insight handles the full SIRA application process, including liaison with the Dubai Police Forensics department and SIRA Training Academy enrolments.
Why Choose This Service
What Our Clients Say
How We Deliver
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01
Owner background check
Insight initiates background verification for company owners and managing partners — typically 2-3 weeks.
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02
DET trade license
Standard DET commercial trade license with Security Services activity codes.
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03
SIRA company application
Formal application to SIRA — corporate documents, financial proof, training records.
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04
Training enrolment
Owner + supervisors complete SIRA Training Academy required courses.
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05
Individual guard onboarding
Each guard individually background-checked, trained, and SIRA-card issued (per person).
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06
Compliance go-live
Operations begin under SIRA monitoring. Initial 6-month review. Ongoing audits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any business providing security services in Dubai — manned guarding companies, CCTV installation, alarm monitoring, armoured transport, event security, executive protection. Even consultants and brokers in security services typically need SIRA.
45-60 days for full company setup. Background checks alone take 3-4 weeks. Training adds 2-3 weeks. Individual guard onboarding is faster (5-15 days per guard) once company is approved.
Company SIRA license: AED 50K-100K depending on category. Each guard SIRA card: AED 1,000-1,500. Mandatory training: AED 2,000-5,000 per person. Annual renewal: roughly 50% of initial. Insight setup fees additional.
Generally no — SIRA only licenses Mainland (DET) entities for direct security services to UAE clients. Free Zone security consulting (advisory, not operational) is sometimes possible, but actual guarding services require DET + SIRA.
Manned security, CCTV installation, alarm monitoring, security consulting, armoured transport, event security, executive protection, security training, fire safety services (some categories), guarding equipment trading.
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