Gold Refinery License: Cost, Documents & Timeline 2026
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.
How Much Does a Gold Refinery License Cost?
For a Gold Refinery License, expect AED 15,000 - 60,000 in a free zone and AED 25,000 - 55,000 on the mainland for year one, with the licence issued in roughly 20-45 working days once documents are ready. The lower end of each range is a single-activity licence with no staff visas in a low-cost emirate; the upper end reflects Dubai, extra activities, or a larger office.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free-zone licence (year one) | AED 15,000 - 60,000 | Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, RAK and UAQ sit at the low end; Dubai zones at the high end |
| Mainland licence (year one) | AED 25,000 - 55,000 | Excludes the tenancy, which mainland requires separately |
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off, needed before any visa |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee, plus deposit on mainland |
| Ejari tenancy (mainland only) | from AED 15,000 / year | Not required for a free-zone flexi desk |
| Corporate tax registration | No fee | 9% applies only on taxable profit above AED 375,000 |
| Annual licence renewal | 85 - 100% of year-one licence fee | Excludes one-off formation items |
Indicative market ranges for planning, not a quote. Government fees, zone packages and external approvals change; confirm current figures before you apply.
Approvals you should budget time for
Municipality, Civil Defence and MoIAT industrial licence. This is the part that moves the timeline, not the licence itself.
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.
Planning your UAE setup?
Free tools and guides to set up the right way:
- Estimate your cost with the calculator
- How to start a business (step-by-step)
- Compare UAE free zones · Cheapest free zones
- Free zone vs mainland · Corporate tax
- How many visas your licence gives you
- Establishment card — cost and renewal
- Dubai customs code for importing and exporting
- Does your activity need external approval?
Last updated: October 2026
Requirements, timelines, and fees vary by jurisdiction, office setup, and external approvals. Confirm the current structure before applying.