WhatsApp quoteFor most clients, this guide from GoldenKey explains the cost of starting gold & jewellery trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland in plain language, with the costs, documents and timelines you should expect in 2026. GoldenKey's consultants wrote this guide to the cost of starting gold & jewellery trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland based on the files we process every week, not on theory.
Key takeaways
- Licence packages in Abu Dhabi Mainland start from AED 13,500; visas, office and approvals are added on top.
- Gold & Jewellery Trading is a commercial activity, so check for external approvals before budgeting.
- Renewal in year two is lower than the first-year total because registration fees are one-off.
- Ask for a written total that separates government fees from GoldenKey's service fee.
Background
A How Much Does It Cost to Start Gold & Jewellery Trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match. Among the strengths of a How Much Does It Cost to Start Gold & Jewellery Trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland licence are access to ADNOC and government supply chains and Tajer licence with no office for 2 years, which is why local service businesses gravitate here. Day to day, businesses that benefit most from How Much Does It Cost to Start Gold & Jewellery Trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland licensing include oil and gas services, contracting, engineering, healthcare and education, because they serve customers on site across the emirate.
What to do, in order
Step 1Activity and legal form
GoldenKey maps your business to the right Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) activity codes and recommends the legal form that fits ownership and liability needs.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), including any external approvals your activity needs. If the authority raises a query on the cost of starting gold & jewellery trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland at this stage, we handle it the same day.
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 Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED).
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
With the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for the cost of starting gold & jewellery trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland.
Documents you will need
Keep these ready before you start:
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- Attested parent-company paperwork for corporate shareholders
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
Costs
Prices for the cost of starting gold & jewellery trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland are drawn from GoldenKey's live price list and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands. 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
| Additional visa | AED 3,200 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 10,000 |
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
On the ground, banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of the cost of starting gold & jewellery trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland predictable. On the ground, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from the cost of starting gold & jewellery trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
How GoldenKey helps
Every How Much Does It Cost to Start Gold & Jewellery Trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) package we quote already includes the licence, registration, the establishment card where applicable and our full assistance, with no hidden add-ons at the end. As we tell every client, after your How Much Does It Cost to Start Gold & Jewellery Trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) licence is released, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice.
In short, prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss the cost of starting gold & jewellery trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland.
Frequently asked questions
How long does How Much Does It Cost to Start Gold & Jewellery Trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland company formation take?
To be clear, with supporting documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) typically issues the licence within 5 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a How Much Does It Cost to Start Gold & Jewellery Trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a How Much Does It Cost to Start Gold & Jewellery Trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
Are How Much Does It Cost to Start Gold & Jewellery Trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes. Mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000 and must register with the FTA, which GoldenKey handles as part of your setup.
What is the difference between How Much Does It Cost to Start Gold & Jewellery Trading in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland and a free zone?
On the ground, 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.
