1 Visa Package
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 16,500
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
MAINLAND · DUBAI
Import & Export on Dubai Mainland
Importing goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting them to regional and global markets
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 5 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- MainlandLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 5 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 13,200Renewal cost
About Dubai
Why Dubai
GoldenKey helps business owners compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. Choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. From day one, import & Export in Dubai means importing goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting them to regional and global markets, and it is licensed as a commercial activity. GoldenKey has licensed import-export business businesses for clients in Dubai and knows which sub-activities to list so you are not asked to amend the licence later.
Importantly, among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, which is why local service businesses gravitate here. In practice, government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. Dubai is a sensible home for import & export because importing goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting them to regional and global markets is a well-understood activity there and the approvals are routine.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Pricing for import & export on Dubai mainland depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. Use the table below to compare packages for import & export on Dubai mainland; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
2 Visa Package
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 22,000
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
3 Visa Package
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 27,500
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
5 Visa Package
5 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 37,400
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 5 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 3,850
Annual renewalAED 13,200
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-24.
Business activities
Explore business activities in Dubai
Dubai licenses trading, service, professional and industrial activities. Search every activity we license across the UAE and see where it is available and what it costs.
Required documents
Documents required
As a rule, the document list for import & export on Dubai mainland is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- Passport photographs on a white background
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- Customs code file
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Our process
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
- 1
Activity and legal form
Just as important, 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. For import & export on Dubai mainland this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
- 2
Trade name and initial approval
Your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), together with any external approvals the activity requires.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
You sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to import & export on Dubai mainland.
- 4
Licence, 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.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Dubai. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsHow long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Importantly, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as a rule issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Dubai mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai 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.
What approvals does import & export need?
Put simply, customs code; product-specific approvals for food, cosmetics, medical and telecom goods. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Is import & export allowed in Dubai?
It can. Import & Export is an available activity in {ent}, and GoldenKey lists the exact sub-activities on your licence. Customs code; product-specific approvals for food, cosmetics, medical and telecom goods.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Dubai?
Message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for import & export on Dubai mainland, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Good to know
More about Dubai
Why the UAE
Put simply, 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 import & export on Dubai mainland. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from import & export on Dubai mainland can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for import & export on Dubai mainland. Crucially, every Dubai 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. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries with import & export on Dubai mainland, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
