Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) – Business Setup in Dubai, UAE
Created by Dubai Law No. 9 of 2004, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is a 110-hectare common-law jurisdiction on Sheikh Zayed Road that houses more than 4,900 active firms and 38,000+ professionals. Governed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and serviced by the English-language DIFC Courts, it offers a world-class platform for banking, wealth & asset management, fintech, professional services and family offices.
Why Set Up in DIFC?
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| 100% foreign ownership & full profit repatriation | No local-shareholder requirement. |
| 0% corporate tax on qualifying income for 50 years | UAE Federal CT exemptions apply to regulated DIFC entities. |
| Robust, independent legal system | English-language DIFC Courts; arbitration centre; common-law framework. |
| Regulatory credibility | DFSA’s risk-based rulebook recognised by IOSCO & Basel standards. |
| Strategic location | Five minutes from Downtown Dubai, 15 min to DXB airport & Jebel Ali Port. |
| Thriving ecosystem | 15 % y-o-y growth; hedge funds, fintech, VC & family offices clustering in 2025. |
| Dual-licence pathway | Optional Dubai DET (mainland) branch under the same trade name. |
| Premium lifestyle | Gate Avenue retail, Michelin-star dining, grade-A residences & hotels. |
Licence & Regulatory Categories
| Category | Regulator | Typical Activities | Min. Capital* |
|---|---|---|---|
| DFSA Category 1 | DFSA | Deposit-taking banks | USD 10 m+ |
| Category 2 | DFSA | Fund management, credit, custody | USD 2 m–8 m |
| Category 3A / 3B | DFSA | Broker-dealers, asset managers | USD 500 k–1 m |
| Category 4 | DFSA | Advisers, arrangers, corporate finance | USD 50 k |
| Category 5 | DFSA | Money-services / payment providers | USD 200 k |
| Non-Regulated (NPIO / Prescribed Non-Financial, Retail, Professional Services) | DIFC Authority | Consulting, law, accounting, tech, e-commerce, holding companies | From USD 10 k |
| Innovation Licence | DIFC Innovation Hub | Early-stage fintech & AI start-ups | USD 1,500 annual fee |
*Exact capital depends on DFSA prudential rules; special-purpose companies often have no capital requirement.
Office & Workspace Options
| Space | Visa Quota | Guide Price* |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Desk (Innovation Hub) | 1 | |
| Business-Centre Desk | 2–3 | |
| Fitted Office (≥ 50 m²) | 4–20 | |
| Shell-and-Core Floor | Scalable | |
*Government registration & licence fees are additional (see below).
Five-Step Company-Formation Timeline
Pre-Approval – select activities, draft Regulatory Business Plan (if DFSA).
Name reservation & KYC upload via DIFC Client Portal (1 day).
Conditional approval & fee payment – receive MoA, AoA for e-signature (3–5 days).
Lease execution – choose desk or office; collect final Certificate of Incorporation & Licence (1–2 days).
Immigration & visas – Establishment Card → entry permit → medical & biometrics → residence stamp (5–7 days).
Total: 2–4 weeks for non-regulated; 3–6 months for DFSA-regulated entities.
Core Document Requirements
| Individuals | Corporates |
|---|---|
| Passport & UAE entry-stamp copy | Notarised Cert. of Incorporation |
| Passport photo & CV | AoA / MoA, Board Resolution & PoA |
| Proof of address (utility / bank) | Cert. of Incumbency (≤ 3 months) |
| Business plan (regulated only) | Group structure chart |
All corporate docs must be notarised & legalised; English or Arabic.
Post-Licensing Obligations
- Annual audit filed within four months of FYE (all entities).
- DFSA returns & compliance officer for regulated firms.
- Lease renewal & licence fee payable every 12 months.
- Economic Substance & UBO filings (if applicable).
Why Smart Business Creation?
- 15 yrs UAE experience in DFSA-regulated & non-regulated DIFC structures.
- End-to-end support: business plan drafting, DFSA interviews, legal docs, bank-account opening.
- In-house translation & attestation to compress timelines.
- Ongoing PRO & compliance services: audits, MLRO outsourcing, licence upgrades.
