This guide from GoldenKey explains the checklist for a gold & jewellery trading licence in Dubai Mainland in plain language, with the costs, supporting documents and timelines you should expect in 2026. Below you will find a practical, step-by-step explanation of the checklist for a gold & jewellery trading licence in Dubai Mainland, followed by answers to the questions clients ask us most.
Key takeaways
- Confirm the exact activity code so the licence matches what you actually do.
- Gather passports, photographs and any sector approvals before applying.
- Decide the visa package now; upgrading later is possible but costs more than choosing correctly.
- Book the bank meeting as soon as the licence is issued.
Background
Government and semi-government tenders in Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. Among the strengths of a Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, which is why local service businesses gravitate here. A Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match.
What to do, in order
Step 1Activity and legal form
GoldenKey maps your business to the right Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) activity codes and recommends the legal form that fits ownership and liability needs. Your portal shows the status of this step for the checklist for a gold & jewellery trading licence in Dubai Mainland in real time.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and obtains sector approvals where needed.
Step 3Office, 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). Your portal shows the status of this step for the checklist for a gold & jewellery trading licence in Dubai Mainland in real time.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
On the ground, your Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents you will need
Keep these ready before you start:
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
Costs
Prices for the checklist for a gold & jewellery trading licence in Dubai Mainland are drawn from GoldenKey's live price list and confirmed in writing before you pay. Just as important, government fees change from time to time; the figures on this page update automatically when they do.
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
| Additional visa | AED 3,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 12,000 |
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies the checklist for a gold & jewellery trading licence in Dubai Mainland for international founders. Importantly, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, so so many company owners choose it as a base for the checklist for a gold & jewellery trading licence in Dubai Mainland.
How GoldenKey helps
GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland file, download your documents and pay invoices from your phone. We will tell you plainly if Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland is not the right choice for your plan and point you to a better option, even when that option costs less.
Start your Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland journey with a free consultation: share a few details about your business and we will map out the fastest route to your licence.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland company?
You cannot convert directly, but you can open a mainland branch of your free zone company or set up a new mainland LLC and transfer the business. GoldenKey advises on the most tax-efficient route.
Can a Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
What is the difference between Gold & Jewellery Trading Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland and a free zone?
Put simply, mainland companies can trade directly with any UAE customer and take government contracts; free zone companies have lower costs and customs benefits but trade with the mainland through distributors. GoldenKey compares both for your specific activity.


