Obtaining Alcohol Licenses In Abu Dhabi: A Guide

how to obtain alcohol license in abu dhabi

Obtaining an alcohol license in Abu Dhabi requires meeting several criteria and conditions. Firstly, only non-Muslim residents of Abu Dhabi who are over 21 years old and have an income above AED 3000 are eligible to apply for a liquor license. The application process involves registering online, providing necessary documents such as a passport, visa, Emirates ID, and a No Objection Certificate from an employer or sponsor, and paying the associated fees. The license is valid for one year and allows individuals to purchase alcohol from designated stores, spending up to 20% of their salary on alcohol per month. Abu Dhabi has strict laws regarding alcohol consumption, and any violation can result in penalties or license revocation.

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Eligibility criteria: You must be over 21, a UAE resident, and non-Muslim

To obtain an alcohol license in Abu Dhabi, you must meet the following eligibility criteria: you must be over 21, a UAE resident, and non-Muslim. These requirements are in place due to the strict laws regarding alcohol in the UAE, a Muslim country.

Firstly, you must be over the age of 21 to obtain a liquor license in Abu Dhabi. This is the legal drinking age, and you will need to provide a passport to prove your age.

Secondly, you must be a UAE resident. This means having a residency visa. If you have a residency visa for another city, you will need to apply for an NOC (No Objection Certificate) letter from the respective department in that city or emirate.

Finally, only non-Muslims are permitted to obtain a liquor license in Abu Dhabi. This is due to the religious restrictions on alcohol consumption in Islam.

It is important to note that, as a UAE resident, you are required by law to hold a liquor license to purchase alcohol from an alcohol shop. You can only buy alcohol from designated stores, and you are allowed to spend up to 20% of your salary on alcohol per month. Your license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

If you are a tourist, you can purchase alcohol in restaurants, bars, or certain stores in Abu Dhabi. You will need to fill out a form declaring that you understand the rules and regulations around alcohol consumption and purchase in the UAE.

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Required documents: Scanned copies of passport, visa, Emirates ID, and a No Objection Certificate

To obtain an alcohol license in Abu Dhabi, you must be a non-Muslim UAE resident over 21 years old with earnings above AED 3000. If you are a tourist, you can consume alcohol in restaurants, bars, or specific stores without a license, but you must fill out a form declaring that you understand the rules and regulations around alcohol consumption in Abu Dhabi.

For residents, the process of obtaining an alcohol license involves registering online and providing scanned copies of several important documents. These include your passport, visa, Emirates ID, and a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The No Objection Certificate is a letter from your employer confirming your salary. If you are unemployed, you can submit a No Objection letter from your sponsor instead. If you are a married woman, you will also need to obtain a No Objection Certificate from your husband.

The scanned copies of these documents must be submitted alongside your application form, which can be downloaded from the official website of the Special License's Office: www.auhsl.ae. Once your application has been submitted, it may take a few days for the Dubai Police to process it. You will receive an SMS notification once your application has been approved.

It is important to note that the license is valid for one year, after which it must be renewed. Additionally, you can only spend 20% of your salary on alcohol each month, and you can only purchase alcohol from designated beverage stores.

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Application process: Register online on the official website of the Special License's Office

To obtain an alcohol license in Abu Dhabi, you must register online on the official website of the Special Licenses Office. The process is straightforward for residents of Abu Dhabi who are non-Muslims. The Special License Office only accepts applications online at its website, www.auhsl.ae. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to register and apply for your alcohol license:

First, you must create an account on the website. You will need to provide your personal details, such as your name, contact information, and email address. Once you have created an account, you can log in and access the application form.

The application form will require you to attach scanned copies of several documents. These include your passport, including the visa page, your Emirates ID, a passport-sized photograph, and a No Objection letter from your employer confirming your salary. Make sure you have all the required documents ready before starting your application to ensure a smooth process.

If you are married, your spouse can request a supplementary license using the same process. They will need to submit a No Objection letter from their sponsor instead of an employer.

After uploading the documents, you can proceed with the payment. The cost of the license is AED 7,500 and it is valid for one year. Once your payment is successful, you will receive a confirmation, and your application will be submitted for review.

It may take a few days for your application to be processed by the Dubai Police. You will receive an SMS notification once your application is approved. After that, you can purchase alcohol from designated stores such as Spinneys, African+Eastern, and Gary Mackenzie & Partners. Remember that you must follow the laws and regulations regarding alcohol consumption and purchase in Abu Dhabi to avoid any penalties.

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Approval: Wait a few days for approval from the Dubai Police

After submitting your application for an alcohol license in Abu Dhabi, the next step is to wait for approval from the Dubai Police. This step is crucial to ensure that your business operations comply with the legal and security standards for alcohol distribution and sales in the emirate. The approval process may take a few days, and once your application is approved, you will receive an SMS notification informing you of the same.

It is important to note that the Dubai Police approval is just one aspect of the licensing process. There are other requirements that you must fulfil to obtain and maintain your alcohol license. For instance, your business will be subject to regular inspections to ensure compliance with alcohol-related laws, particularly those related to storage, distribution, and sales.

As you await approval from the Dubai Police, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with the relevant laws and regulations governing alcohol distribution and sales in Abu Dhabi. This includes understanding the eligibility criteria for obtaining a license, which typically includes age and residency requirements, as well as restrictions based on religious affiliation.

Additionally, you should be aware of the designated beverage stores from which you can purchase alcohol with a valid license. In Abu Dhabi, Spinneys, African+Eastern, and Gary Mackenzie & Partners are among the authorised retailers of alcoholic beverages. These retailers also offer the option of purchasing alcohol as a tourist by filling out a simple form declaring your understanding of the local rules and regulations.

Moreover, while you wait for approval, you can also consider the potential benefits of obtaining an alcohol license. With a license, you will gain access to high-demand markets, including licensed outlets and distributors, as well as hotels, restaurants, and bars in tourist hotspots like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, it is essential to remember that the sale and distribution of alcohol in the UAE are tightly controlled due to its Muslim majority population.

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Validity and renewal: The license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually

In Abu Dhabi, liquor licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The renewal process requires applicants to meet the same criteria as the initial application. This includes being over 21 years old, being a UAE resident, and having earnings above AED 3000. Additionally, only non-Muslims are permitted to obtain a liquor license.

For individuals, the renewal application must be submitted online at the Special License Office's official website, www.auhsl.ae. Required documents include scanned copies of the applicant's passport, including the visa page, Emirates ID, a passport-sized photograph, and a no-objection letter from their employer confirming their salary.

For businesses, the renewal process involves applying through the Department of Culture and Tourism or the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). A detailed business plan outlining the storage and sale of alcohol, as well as projected operations scale, must be provided. Approval from the Abu Dhabi Police is also necessary to ensure compliance with legal and security standards for alcohol distribution and sales.

It is important to note that liquor licenses are subject to strict regulations in Abu Dhabi. Any violation of the laws, such as being caught drunk in public places, can result in penalties, including the withdrawal of the license. Therefore, it is crucial for license holders to be aware of and comply with the legal requirements to maintain their license validity.

Frequently asked questions

Only non-Muslim UAE residents over the age of 21 who earn above AED 3000 can obtain an alcohol license in Abu Dhabi. Married women can consume alcohol after getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their husbands.

You need to attach scanned copies of your passport, including the visa page, Emirates ID, a passport-sized photograph, and a no-objection letter from your employer confirming your salary.

You can purchase alcohol from Spinneys, African+Eastern, and Gary Mackenzie & Partners. Euro Star Cellar and MMI are also options for those with a license.

The cost of the license depends on the type of license. A special license for clubs, pubs, and bars that allows them to serve alcohol until 3 am costs AED 7,500 and is valid for one year.

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