Retail Shop in the UAE

Key points

Government and semi-government tenders in the UAE require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. the UAE mainland licences are granted by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. For most clients, businesses that benefit most from the UAE mainland licensing include retail, restaurants, contracting, real estate brokerage and consulting with government clients, because they serve customers on site across the emirate.

Step by step

1. 
   Step 1

   Activity and legal form

   We pick the precise activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals.

2. 
   Step 2

   Trade name and initial approval

   GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), including any external approvals your activity needs. If the authority raises a query on starting a retail business in the UAE at this stage, we handle it the same day.

3. 
   Step 3

   Office, MOA and submission

   The memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

4. 
   Step 4

   Licence, Chamber and immigration

   The the UAE mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to starting a retail business in the UAE.

Documents required

Gather these supporting documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of starting a retail business in the UAE.

• A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
• A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
• The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
• Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
• Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
• Tenancy contract (Ejari or equivalent)

Pricing

Use the table below to compare packages for starting a retail business in the UAE; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. In our experience, all prices for starting a retail business in the UAE are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.

Where to license retail shop

Retail generally means a mainland licence, because free zone companies cannot trade directly with the local market without a distributor. Mall and street-front units each come with their own approvals.

Ajman Free ZoneOne of the UAE's most affordable free zones — 0-visa packa…DMCC Free ZoneWorld's #1 free zone — the premium choice for commodity tr…Dubai mainlandThe UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE w…Sharjah mainlandIndustrial heartland of the UAE — manufacturing, trading a…Ajman mainlandGoldenKey's home emirate — one of the most affordable main…

Examples of this activity

• Fashion boutique
• Electronics shop
• Perfume store
• Grocery

Retail Shop guides by nationality

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Why the UAE

The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for starting a retail business in the UAE. The UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international customers and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for starting a retail business in the UAE.

Why GoldenKey

GoldenKey's consultants have handled starting a retail business in the UAE for traders, consultants, tech entrepreneurs and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for starting a retail business in the UAE happen the same day they are ready. In practice, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your the UAE file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the request sit.

Frequently asked questions