Gold Refinery License: Cost, Requirements, Documents
Content reviewed by My Business Setup Team, Business Setup Specialists.
A Gold Refinery License in UAE is a specialist industrial setup and should be planned around compliance, facility requirements, and operating model first. The bigger question is not only company formation. It is whether the site, process, approvals, technical controls, and commercial model actually fit refinery activity from the start. This type of business usually has a much heavier setup path than a standard commercial or service license.
Who Should Consider a Gold Refinery License?
- Lean founders validating demand
- SMEs expanding services or adding a new revenue line
- Operators formalizing existing work under a UAE entity
What You Can and Cannot Do
Gold refinery scope should be checked carefully against the actual refining, processing, sourcing, storage, and trading model. Industrial, metals, and compliance-related requirements may extend well beyond the trade license itself.
Cost & Timeline (What Affects the Price)
Budget should account for licensing, industrial premises, equipment, approvals, staffing, and compliance controls linked to precious-metals operations. Formation cost is only one part of the total setup requirement.
Good to know
- 100% foreign ownership available
- Flexi/shared office keeps overhead low
- Visa quota scales with office size
Watch out
- Choosing the wrong jurisdiction for your sales model
- Under-budgeting immigration items (establishment card, visas)
- Missing activity-specific technical approvals
How to Get Started
- Choose jurisdiction (Mainland vs Free Zone)
- Reserve trade name & obtain initial approval
- Confirm office allocation (flexi/shared vs Ejari)
- Issue license & process establishment card and visas
- Medical & Emirates ID, then start operations
Documents Checklist
- Passport copy & recent photo of each shareholder
- Current visa/entry status
- 2 to 3 preferred trade names
- Brief scope & staffing plan
Gold Refinery License FAQs
Is a physical office mandatory for Gold Refinery License?
Many Free Zones allow flexi/shared packages. Mainland may require Ejari depending on visas and the activity.
How many visas can I start with?
Commonly 1 to 4 at the start, subject to office allocation and immigration rules.
What is included in the base cost?
Trade license and core company docs. Immigration items (establishment card, status change, medical, Emirates ID) may be bundled or itemized.
Last updated: April 2026
Requirements, timelines, and fees vary by jurisdiction, office setup, and external approvals. Confirm the current structure before applying.