WhatsApp quoteDay to day, this guide from GoldenKey explains the checklist for a logistics & freight forwarding licence in Dubai Mainland in plain language, with the costs, documents and timelines you should expect in 2026. GoldenKey's consultants wrote this guide to the checklist for a logistics & freight forwarding licence in Dubai Mainland based on the files we process every week, not on theory.
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
A Logistics & Freight Forwarding 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. Logistics & Freight Forwarding Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days (Monday to Friday). Among the strengths of a Logistics & Freight Forwarding 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.
What to do, in order
Step 1Activity and legal form
We select the correct activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and the legal form, usually a LLC or a sole establishment. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to the checklist for a logistics & freight forwarding licence in Dubai Mainland.
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
As a rule, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. We keep a written record of this step so your file for the checklist for a logistics & freight forwarding licence in Dubai Mainland is audit-ready.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
To be clear, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Documents you will need
Keep these ready before you start:
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
Costs
Prices for the checklist for a logistics & freight forwarding licence in Dubai Mainland are drawn from GoldenKey's live price list and confirmed in writing before you pay. 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 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many business owners choose it as a base for the checklist for a logistics & freight forwarding licence in Dubai Mainland. To be clear, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies the checklist for a logistics & freight forwarding licence in Dubai Mainland for international business owners.
How GoldenKey helps
GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Logistics & Freight Forwarding Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland submission, download your documents and pay invoices from your phone. Because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which papers each of them will ask for on a Logistics & Freight Forwarding Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland file.
Tell us about your plans for the checklist for a logistics & freight forwarding licence in Dubai Mainland and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Logistics & Freight Forwarding Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland company?
From day one, for most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Logistics & Freight Forwarding 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.
What is the difference between Logistics & Freight Forwarding Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland and a free zone?
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.
How much office space do I need for a Logistics & Freight Forwarding Licence Checklist for Dubai Mainland mainland licence?
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) requires a registered tenancy for most licences. A small office or a desk in a business centre is enough for a few visas, and the visa quota increases with the floor area.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Logistics & Freight Forwarding 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.
