Quick answer: A gold trading license in Dubai costs roughly AED 15,000 to AED 45,000, depending on whether you choose the mainland or a free zone. Total first-year setup, including visas and government approvals, typically lands between AED 30,000 and AED 65,000, excluding office or showroom rent, which varies widely by location and premises type. The process takes 1 to 3 weeks for a standard free zone setup and 2 to 4 weeks for a mainland retail license requiring SIRA security approval.
Dubai handles a significant share of the world’s physical gold flow. The emirate sits on the trade route between African and Latin American producers, Asian refiners, and Middle Eastern, Indian and European buyers. That is why it is called the City of Gold, and why a Dubai gold trading license is one of the most requested trade licenses in the UAE.
This guide covers what the license actually costs in 2026, which jurisdiction fits your business model, the documents you need, the compliance obligations most guides skip, and how long the whole thing takes.
What Is a Gold Trading License in Dubai?
A gold trading license is a commercial trade license that permits your company to buy, sell, import, export, store or manufacture gold and other precious metals in the UAE.
It is issued by one of the following, depending on where you set up:
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET): for mainland companies (formerly the DED)
- DMCC: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, the region’s main precious metals free zone
- DAFZA: Dubai Airport Free Zone, for high-value air-freight-led trading
- JAFZA / Gold & Diamond Park: for manufacturing and retail jewellery
Benefits of Starting a Gold Business in Dubai
Following are the benefits of starting a gold business and obtaining a gold trading license in Dubai:
1. Complete Ownership
Starting a gold business in Dubai give you a 100% ownership. You don’t need a local sponsor and have all the rights to run your business as you wish. This gives you more freedom and flexibility to manage your business.
2. Tourism
In recent years, more tourists have been coming to Dubai, especially to shop for gold jewelry. The variety of gold retailers, the various designs available, and the low taxes and other benefits make Dubai a top destination for gold shopping. One popular spot is the Dubai Gold Souk, where visitors can admire stunning gold jewelry crafted by talented goldsmiths.
3. VAT Exchange System
Dubai is renowned for its gold market, attracting tourists, visitors, entrepreneurs, immigrants, and locals alike who are keen on investing in the precious metal. Gold jewelry is available at comparatively lower prices here.
Additionally, there is a VAT exchange system where listed and registered dealers don’t charge VAT when selling gold to another certified dealer, provided the latter intends to resell or manufacture the products. However, retail customers are still charged a low VAT rate of 5% on the total value of purchased gold.
4. Liquid Asset
Gold is considered a liquid asset because it can be quickly converted into cash when needed, making the gold business less risky. During emergencies, you can easily turn some of your gold into cash without much hassle. Unlike other types of businesses, dealing with gold doesn’t greatly impact the firm’s liquidity. This ease of converting gold into cash is a major reason why many people prefer investing in it.
Gold Trading License Activities: Which One Do You Need?
Your activity code determines your jurisdiction, your cost and your approvals. Pick the wrong one and you will either be operating illegally or paying for permissions you don’t need.
| Activity | What it covers | Best jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| Gold & precious metals trading (wholesale) | Bulk buying from refiners/suppliers, selling to retailers and jewellers | Free zone or mainland |
| Gold retail / jewelry retail | Shop or showroom selling to walk-in customers | Mainland (DET) or Gold & Diamond Park |
| Bullion trading | Bars, ingots, coins, B2B and institutional | DMCC |
| Gold refining | Smelting, assaying, refining to standard | DMCC (industrial license, heavy capital) |
| Import & export of precious metals | Cross-border movement of gold | Free zone (DMCC, DAFZA) |
| Jewelry manufacturing | Fabrication, casting, setting | Gold & Diamond Park |
| Gold brokerage | Acting as intermediary between buyer and seller | Free zone or mainland |
How to get a Gold Trading License in Dubai?
How to start a gold business in Dubai makes many people confused, and it seems a difficult process, but in Dubai, you can easily get your gold trading license by following the below simple steps.
1. Choose Business Activity
Decide precisely what you will do: wholesale, retail, bullion, refining, import/export, manufacturing, brokerage. This single decision drives every other step. List every activity you intend to perform.
2. Select Jurisdiction
Choose Dubai Mainland if you need direct access to UAE retail sales. Choose a Dubai Free Zone if you trade internationally or import/export with lower overheads.
3. Select your legal structure
Mainland: sole establishment, LLC or branch. Free zone: FZE (single shareholder), FZCO (multiple shareholders) or branch of an existing company.
4. Choose Business Name
The name must comply with UAE naming rules: no religious or offensive terms, no references to political bodies, and abbreviations of personal names are not permitted.
5. Obtain initial approval
Submit shareholder documents and your activity list to DET or your free zone authority. This is the authority confirming it has no objection to you proceeding.
6. Secure premises and additional approvals
Sign your lease and register Ejari (mainland) or your free zone lease agreement. If you will hold physical gold, obtain SIRA approval now, as this is where most timelines slip.
4. Collect your license
Settle government and authority fees. Your trade license, certificate of incorporation, MoA and establishment card are issued.
5. Get Residency/Visa
After getting your gold trading license, the next step is applying for your business visa. This visa lets you get residency in the country, and depending on your license, you might also be able to get visas for your family and staff.
6. Open Business Bank Account
Once you have your gold trading license in Dubai, the next important thing is opening your business bank account. This account is where you handle your business money and transactions, and keep things running smoothly.
Documents Required for a Gold Trading License in Dubai
From every shareholder and director:
- Passport copy (minimum six months validity)
- Emirates ID, if UAE resident
- Passport-size photograph, white background
- Proof of residential address
- CV or professional profile (required by several free zones)
Best Regions to Start a Gold Trading Business in Dubai
Following are the best regions to start a gold trading business in Dubai.
1. DMCC: For Bullion, Refining and Serious Volume
DMCC is the region’s precious metals hub and the default choice for institutional and wholesale gold trading. It houses accredited refineries, operates the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX), and maintains the DMCC Rules for Risk Based Due Diligence and the UAE Good Delivery standard for refiners.
DMCC offers distinct license categories for wholesale, retail, bullion and precious metals trading, and supports the full chain from refining through to exchange participation.
Choose DMCC if: you are trading bullion internationally, sourcing from refiners, dealing with institutional counterparties, or need the credibility that DMCC membership carries with banks. DMCC-registered gold companies generally find corporate bank account opening less difficult than unaffiliated ones, which in this sector is not a small consideration.
2. Gold & Diamond Park
Dubai Gold & Diamond Park is a sector-specific free zone governed by JAFZA, built exclusively for the jewelry, gold and precious stones industry. It has 118 purpose-built manufacturing blocks plus around 350 offices and retail units, with infrastructure designed for jewelry fabrication: central gas distribution, exhaust extraction ventilation and acid disposal collection.
Choose Gold & Diamond Park if: you are manufacturing, casting, setting or finishing jewelry, or want a retail unit inside an established jewelry ecosystem.
The trade-off: you must take physical space within the zone. There is no virtual option.
3. Dubai Mainland (DET): For Retail and the Gold Souk
If you want a shop that walk-in customers can buy from, whether that is the Deira Gold Souk, a mall unit or a standalone showroom, you need a mainland license from the Department of Economy and Tourism.
Mainland retail also means:
- SIRA approval from the Security Industry Regulatory Agency before your license is issued, if you are storing physical gold. SIRA inspects CCTV coverage, alarm systems, safes and vault specification.
- A leased, Ejari-registered premises. There is no flexi-desk route for retail.
4. DAFZA: For Import, Export and Air-Freighted Gold
Dubai Airport Free Zone sits directly beside Dubai International Airport, which makes it a strong fit for gold businesses whose model is built on rapid, high-value air freight movement rather than showroom retail. DAFZA offers Commercial Trade and General Trading licenses covering import, export, distribution and storage, with licenses starting from around AED 15,000 per year.
Choose DAFZA if: your gold moves by air, your customers are international, and proximity to customs and cargo terminals materially reduces your handling time and risk.
FAQs
Q1. Do you need a license to sell gold in Dubai?
Ans: Yes, if you want to sell gold in Dubai, you have to get a permit in the form of a license. The type of license depends on what you want to do with the gold, like selling it or making things with it.
Q2. What licenses are needed to start a gold trading business in Dubai?
Ans: To start a gold trading business in Dubai, you need a license from the government. You can get this license from different jurisdiction like the Dubai Mainland or the Freezone.
Q3. Can a foreigner start a gold trading company in Dubai?
Ans: Yes you can start your gold trading company in Dubai as a foreigner with 100% business ownership.
Q4. Which free zone is best for gold trading in Dubai?
Ans: DMCC for bullion, refining and institutional trading. DAFZA for air-freight import/export. Gold & Diamond Park for manufacturing and jewelry retail. Mainland DET if you need a retail shop.
Q5. Do I need SIRA approval for a gold trading license?
Ans: Yes, if your business physically handles or stores gold or jewelry.
Q6. Can I buy an existing gold trading license in the UAE?
Ans: Yes, but you inherit the entity’s liabilities including any AML history and banking record. Full due diligence is essential. Fresh incorporation is usually faster and cleaner.
Conclusion
Dubai is a great place for businesses, and starting a gold trading business in Dubai is a wonderful idea. Dubai offers a lot of advantages like its good location, low taxes, and great infrastructure. Dubai is also considered a big market for gold. The government rules, are easy and make sure everything is fair and safe.
If you are thinking about starting a gold trading business in Dubai, it is important to understand how to get a gold trading license in Dubai. Trading gold in Dubai can be a profitable opportunity for those looking to invest in a flourishing market. And getting a gold trading license in Dubai is the first step to getting started.
Get your Gold Trading License with RFZ
If you are looking to obtain a gold trading license in Dubai, RFZ Corporate Service Provider is the company that can assist you in getting the license.
At RFZ, we offer personalized help to people who want to start businesses in the UAE. We can assist with everything from creating a company to managing finances and making sure you follow the rules. We will give you trustworthy advice at every step of your business journey in the UAE.
Are you ready to make your business dreams a reality? Partner with RFZ, and let us do it together.
For a free consultation, contact us at +971 4 589 0815. You can also send us a WhatsApp message at +971 52 157 0658 or email your questions to info@rfz.ae. We are here to assist you!
