Licence routes

Ten routes into the DIFC, and how to tell which one is yours

In short

The DIFC licence you need follows from what the entity will actually do. If the activity is a Financial Service under the DFSA rules, you need authorisation and a three to six month timeline. If it is not, the Registrar of Companies handles the application and a straightforward incorporation takes four to six weeks. Holding vehicles and Foundations sit outside both and can be established in two to three weeks.

All routes at a glance

Timelines assume a complete application. Fees are indicative and exclude premises, salaries and regulatory capital.
Route	Regulator	Timeline	Typical first year
Non-regulated	Registrar of Companies	4 to 6 weeks from complete application	US$800
DFSA regulated	DFSA and Registrar	3 to 6 months, 9 months for novel models	US$5,000 to US$70,000
Innovation	Registrar of Companies	3 to 5 weeks	From US$1,500 per year
Prescribed Company	Registrar of Companies	2 to 3 weeks	US$1,000 to US$2,000
Foundation	Registrar of Companies	3 to 5 weeks	US$200 application, US$1,000 registration
Fund manager	DFSA and Registrar	4 to 7 months for the manager, 2 to 4 weeks for a QIF	From US$25,000
Family office	Registrar of Companies	6 to 10 weeks for the office, longer for the wider structure	US$12,000 per year
Branch office	Registrar of Companies	5 to 8 weeks, driven by legalisation	US$8,000
Retail	Registrar of Companies	3 to 6 months including fit-out	US$8,000 one-off
Representative office	DFSA and Registrar	3 to 5 months	From US$4,000

Non-financial

Operating businesses

Operating businesses that sit outside the DFSA perimeter. The Registrar handles these, which is why they move in weeks rather than months.

4 to 6 weeks from complete applicationNon-regulatedFor advisory, professional and corporate businesses that sit outside DFSA supervisionRead more 3 to 5 weeksInnovationDiscounted entry for technology firms through the DIFC Innovation HubRead more

Financial

Regulated firms

Anything that meets the DFSA definition of a Financial Service. Authorisation runs alongside incorporation and sets the timeline.

3 to 6 months, 9 months for novel modelsDFSA regulatedFull authorisation to carry on a Financial Service from the CentreRead more 4 to 7 months for the manager, 2 to 4 weeks for a QIFFund managerManaging a Domestic Fund or external fund from the CentreRead more 6 to 10 weeks for the office, longer for the wider structureFamily officeSingle Family Office structures, with or without DFSA authorisationRead more

Structuring

Holding and succession

Vehicles built to hold assets rather than trade. No staff, no office and, in most cases, no audit.

2 to 3 weeksPrescribed CompanyLow-cost holding and special purpose vehicle with no office requirementRead more 3 to 5 weeksFoundationAn ownerless vehicle for succession planning, asset protection and philanthropyRead more

Presence

Presence without a subsidiary

Ways to be in the Centre without incorporating a full subsidiary, or without carrying on business at all.

5 to 8 weeks, driven by legalisationBranch officeRegister an existing overseas company as a Recognised CompanyRead more 3 to 5 monthsRepresentative officeMarketing and liaison for a financial institution, without booking businessRead more

Retail

Retail and hospitality

Selling goods or services directly to the people who work in and visit the Centre.

3 to 6 months including fit-outRetailFor restaurants, cafés, galleries and shops trading inside the CentreRead more

Not sure which DIFC licence you need?

Answer eight questions and we will tell you the licence route, the likely cost and the realistic timeline. It takes about two minutes and there is no obligation.

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