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How to Obtain Delivery Service License in Dubai, UAE?Updated 21 July 2026

A delivery service licence in Dubai lets you legally operate a courier, food-delivery or last-mile logistics business — a fast-growing sector since the shift to online ordering. This guide covers choosing your legal structure, registering the company name, the approvals required, the documents, and the cost of a Dubai delivery licence.

Chandy Joseph29 December 2022

The landscape of how delivery services has been transformed to a whole new level in the past couple of years. Especially, after the global pandemic of Covid-19 people started relying more on getting everything online which led to an increase in online orders.

Resultantly, a delivery service license in Dubai became a widely held and ideal choice for many potential investors who want to set up their business in this highly competitive and emerging market.

What Is a Delivery Service License in Dubai?

A delivery service license in Dubai is a license issued by the relevant government authority to the potential investor. It can be issued under an LLC or professional business structure as per your requirements. You should also decide on the ideal jurisdiction – mainland or freezone, to open your delivery service company in Dubai.

Starting a Delivery Company in Dubai

The delivery service market is continuously growing in Dubai on a rapid scale with service providers trying to meet the increasing demands of people. As stated above, a huge increase in consumers’ demands for online delivery services especially food has been witnessed in past years.

According to reports, the online food delivery industry is projected to grow to US$1.69 billion in 2022 with an annual CAGR rate of 18.65% between 2022 to 2027. The facts and figures indicate that the market will continue to grow; attracting a large number of investors to step forward and start a delivery business in Dubai.

Cost of Delivery Service License in Dubai

The delivery license cost in Dubai can vary depending on several factors associated with your business. For instance, the type, size, business model and structure, legal requirements, and jurisdiction where you open a delivery service company can affect the cost. In addition to that, the business setup company you are hiring to help you with the process may also affect the cost of the license.

Nevertheless, the approximate delivery license cost in Dubai ranges between AED 6500 to 10000 AED. You may work with an experienced business setup consultant like Avyanco as we can assist you to manage the entire process thoughtfully while helping you minimize the costs.

Benefits of Starting a Delivery Company in Dubai

When it comes to starting a delivery service company in Dubai, the benefits are endless. Some of them are mentioned below:

  • It is a multi-billion-dollar market.
  • The industry is continuously growing.
  • You can open your business in any jurisdiction including Mainland and Free Zone.
  • Less paperwork and legal requirements; easy business setup process.
  • You can open a small delivery service company with a relatively low investment.
  • Immense expenses will not be needed to set up a food delivery service business in Dubai.

Steps to Obtain a Delivery License in Dubai

To open a delivery company license in Dubai, there is a certain procedure that you will have to follow.

The very first step is to decide the legal structure of your business. You need to make a decision whether you want to open your delivery service company in Dubai Mainland or Freezone.

Step 2. Register A Company Name

Now is the time when you will decide on the name of your delivery service company and get it registered. Make sure that the name you are choosing is not blasphemous and any other company’s name. Choose a simple, relevant, short, and catchy name that can attract your business too.

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Step3. Obtain Approval

Fill out the Application Form for your delivery service company in Dubai and submit it to the entity to get initial approval for your business. You will also have to prepare for the MOA and get your DET payment voucher. You will receive a delivery service license once you submit the payment.

Now you can apply for the visa, and it is a must to open a corporate bank account to receive payments and make transactions. Avyanco can help you make the process smooth by doing everything on your behalf including arranging your documents, applying for approval, and opening your bank account in Dubai.

Documents Required to Get a Delivery License

To start a delivery business in Dubai, you must provide the required documents to the relevant department. The below mentioned are the essential documents you will need to provide:

  • Emirates ID of partners
  • Copies of the partners' passports
  • Approval of the licensing authorities
  • Valid visit or residence visa of partners

Avyanco will help you prepare all the required documents accurately in order to avoid any complications during the process.

Activities Under Delivery Service Business License

There is a wide range of scope for delivery service business in Dubai.

  • Online stores are increasingly looking for courier delivery services in Dubai that can help them with delivering goods and products.
  • Restaurants and cafes are a core segment that people usually rely on. Customers usually make a food purchase online and receive their desired products sitting at home.
  • Besides, parcel delivery or courier services are also in high demand in Dubai. In addition to that, boutiques and other businesses that do not usually hire full-time delivery staff also look for delivery service providers. Thus, you will have various options to expand your business in Dubai.

How Avyanco Can Help You Setup A Delivery Business in Dubai?

The delivery service industry is extremely lucrative and makes it possible to easily and quickly get a license. However, finding the right business setup partner is necessary for smooth business license approval and to ensure that the business runs well.

Avyanco is the leading business setup advisory working actively to help investors open delivery services companies in Dubai effortlessly. At Avyanco, our professionals have an in-depth understanding of the procedure for starting a delivery service company in Dubai. To help you get started quickly, we take care of all the paperwork and assist you with obtaining all necessary approvals and permits during the process.

If you have already decided to start a delivery service company in Dubai, we can help! Contact us now!

Frequently Asked Questions

01What licence do I need for a delivery business in Dubai?
You need a trade licence covering delivery, courier or logistics-services activities, issued on the mainland (DET) or through a free zone. Depending on the vehicles and scope, additional approvals — for example from the RTA for transport, or the relevant authority for food delivery — may also apply.
02How much does a delivery service licence cost in Dubai?
The total depends on the jurisdiction, the activities, the number and type of vehicles, driver visas and office. Vehicles and driver visas are usually the largest costs. Confirm a current itemised quotation for your planned fleet before budgeting.
03Can a foreigner own 100% of a delivery company in Dubai?
Yes. A free-zone delivery company allows 100% foreign ownership, and many mainland delivery/logistics activities also permit full foreign ownership under the current rules. The right structure depends on whether you serve customers across the UAE mainland or operate on a contract/aggregator basis.
04Do I need RTA approval for delivery bikes or vans?
Yes, motorised delivery vehicles operating on Dubai's roads generally need RTA registration, and delivery riders/drivers need the appropriate driving permit for their vehicle category. This is separate from, and in addition to, the trade licence.
05Can I run a delivery business from a free zone?
Yes, several free zones licence courier and delivery activities with 100% ownership. Vehicles still need RTA registration for on-road operation in Dubai regardless of which jurisdiction issued the trade licence.
06Is a delivery licence different from an e-commerce licence?
Yes. An e-commerce licence covers selling goods online; a delivery/courier licence covers the physical transport and last-mile delivery of goods for yourself or on behalf of other businesses. Many delivery operators hold both if they also sell products directly.
07Do I need Dubai Municipality approval for food delivery specifically?
If you handle or store food as part of the delivery service (rather than purely transporting sealed orders from a licensed restaurant), Dubai Municipality food-safety approval can apply. Pure last-mile delivery for licensed F&B outlets is usually covered by the outlet's own food-safety approval, so confirm your exact scope with the Municipality.
08How many visas do I need for a delivery fleet?
Visa numbers scale with your driver headcount and are also tied to your office or depot size under most licences. Plan the visa quota against your expected fleet size before choosing your package, since upgrading later adds cost and time.
09Can I deliver for aggregator platforms without my own fleet licence?
Riders working under an aggregator platform (such as a delivery-app partner) are typically covered by that platform's own licensing and RTA arrangements. If you want to run your own independent delivery brand and fleet, you need your own trade licence and RTA registration rather than relying on a platform's.
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