Full foreign ownership
Eligible entities can be fully owned by international shareholders without a UAE national partner.
DIFC | FINANCIAL SERVICES | COMPANY SETUP
Set Up Your Business in DIFC Dubai.
Establish your company in Dubai International Financial Centre with access to a globally recognised financial ecosystem, 100% foreign ownership, an independent legal framework, and flexible structures for financial, professional, technology, and investment businesses.
Dubai International Financial Centre
DIFC: built for ambitious businesses at the centre of Dubai.
DIFC offers more than a business licence. It gives companies access to an established financial and professional ecosystem, an independent common-law framework, premium commercial infrastructure and direct proximity to Dubai's leading institutions.
A global business address in DubaiStructured support for financial, professional, innovation and holding entities.
100% foreign ownershipFull international ownership for eligible entities.
Common-law frameworkIndependent DIFC laws and courts.
DFSA ecosystemRecognised regulatory environment for financial firms.
International connectivityAccess to Dubai's global commercial network.
Why DIFC
A business environment designed for credibility and growth.
DIFC combines legal clarity, institutional quality and a strategic Dubai location for companies that need a sophisticated commercial base.
Independent legal framework
DIFC operates an English-language common-law framework supported by the independent DIFC Courts.
Financial regulation
Regulated financial services firms operate within the Dubai Financial Services Authority framework.
Premium central location
A prestigious business district close to Downtown Dubai, major institutions and professional networks.
Flexible entity choices
Companies, branches, partnerships, foundations, SPVs and specialised structures support diverse goals.
Qualifying tax treatment
Qualifying Free Zone Persons may access 0% corporate tax on Qualifying Income, subject to UAE rules.
Eligibility and substance conditions apply.
Business activities
One district. Multiple routes to establish and grow.
The correct licence and approval route depends on whether your business is regulated, non-regulated or innovation-led.
Regulated Financial Services
For businesses that require DFSA authorisation and a regulated operating framework.
BankingAsset ManagementInvestment AdviceFundsInsuranceCapital Markets
Non-Financial & Corporate
For professional, headquarters, holding and regional management operations.
ConsultancyCorporate HQProfessional ServicesHoldingsFamily BusinessLegal Support
Innovation Licence
For technology and innovation businesses that meet DIFC eligibility and programme conditions.
FinTechAIRegTechInsurTechClimateTechGaming / AR / VR
Published subsidised licence: USD 1,500/year, subject to eligibility and current conditions.Legal structures
Choose the structure that fits your purpose.
Your ownership, activity, regulation, investment strategy and asset profile determine the most suitable form.
Private Company
A common operating entity for commercial and professional businesses.
Branch / Recognised Company
A presence for an existing foreign or UAE parent company.
LLP
A limited liability partnership for eligible professional structures.
Partnership
Limited and general partnership formats for suitable arrangements.
Foundation
Purpose-led ownership, succession and wealth structuring vehicle.
Prescribed Company / SPV
A passive vehicle for holding defined assets and liabilities.
Active Enterprise
A flexible option for qualifying active commercial activities.
Specialised Structures
Tailored arrangements for funds, family offices and specific use cases.
Special-purpose options
Passive holding or active enterprise?
These structures serve different objectives. Nexo Services can assess the intended use before incorporation.
Prescribed Company / SPV
A generally passive vehicle designed to hold assets, rights and liabilities in a structured manner.
Investment holdingAsset ownershipFamily wealthFinancingRestructuringSpecial projects
Registered address and qualifying-purpose requirements apply.
Active Enterprise
For qualifying active businesses in areas such as holding, management, proprietary investment and commercial operations.
Managing officeProprietary investmentReal estateHealthcareEducationIndustry
Published example: USD 100 incorporation + USD 1,000 annual commercial licence, before other charges and subject to conditions.
Workspace options
A professional base that matches your operating model.
DIFC premises requirements vary by structure and activity. Options range from efficient shared workspaces to fully dedicated commercial premises.
Coworking
Flexi desks
Dedicated desks
Serviced offices
Private offices
Commercial / retail
Documents
Prepare the right information from the start.
Requirements vary by shareholder type, activity, structure and regulatory status.
Individuals & founders
- Passport copies for shareholders and directors
- UAE visa and Emirates ID, where applicable
- Residential address and contact information
- Proposed names, ownership and UBO details
- Business activity and business plan information
Corporate & regulated applicants
- Parent-company incorporation and constitutional documents
- Board resolutions and ownership charts
- Good-standing and authorised-signatory evidence
- Source-of-funds, governance and compliance information
- Additional DFSA documentation for regulated financial activities
Setup process
Your DIFC company formation roadmap.
A clear sequence helps avoid delays and aligns your activity, approvals, premises and licence.
01
Assess activity
Confirm the business model and regulatory route.
02
Choose structure
Select the entity that best supports the purpose.
03
Prepare documents
Compile ownership, UBO and application records.
04
DFSA approval
Obtain in-principle approval if the activity is regulated.
05
Register entity
Complete incorporation with the DIFC Registrar.
06
Secure premises
Choose a compliant workspace for the entity.
07
Licence & launch
Activate the licence, visas and operational setup.
Built around your activity, structure and operating needs.
DIFC costs vary materially, so a tailored estimate is more useful than a single headline price. A current published standard non-retail private-company annual licence example is USD 12,000; specialised and regulated structures differ.
Business activity
Entity structure
Approvals
Premises
Staff & visas
Data & compliance
Corporate tax treatment
Qualifying Free Zone Persons may benefit from 0% UAE Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income. Non-qualifying taxable income may be subject to the standard 9% rate.
Free Zone status does not automatically guarantee 0%. Eligibility, qualifying activities, substance, transfer pricing and compliance conditions must be assessed.
Nexo Services
End-to-end support for your DIFC journey.
From the first structure decision through ongoing compliance, our team coordinates the practical steps.
Activity assessment
Clarify the correct licence and regulatory pathway.
Structure selection
Align the entity with ownership and commercial objectives.
Incorporation & licence
Coordinate submissions, records and authority requirements.
Office solutions
Identify workspace options suited to licence requirements.
Immigration & visas
Support investor, partner and employee visa processes.
Banking assistance
Prepare and coordinate corporate bank account applications.
Tax & accounting
Corporate Tax, VAT, bookkeeping and reporting support.
Compliance & renewal
Maintain licences, records and ongoing obligations.
Build your DIFC presence
Ready to establish your business in DIFC?
Speak with Nexo Services about your activity, ownership, structure and regulatory requirements. We will help map the practical next steps.