DIFC Company Setup

DIFC company setup gives you a company in Dubai's financial free zone, with its own common-law based legal system and courts. We help you choose between a non-regulated company and the DFSA-regulated route, pick the right structure and office, and handle registration through to visas and bank account.

Description

DIFC company setup means registering your business in the Dubai International Financial Centre, a financial free zone with its own civil and commercial laws based on English common law, its own courts (DIFC Courts) and an independent financial regulator, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). DIFC reported 10,018 active registered companies at the end of June 2026. It suits financial firms, family offices, holding structures, professional services and tech companies that want a common-law base in Dubai.

The first question is whether your activity is regulated. Non-regulated businesses, such as consultancies, tech firms, holding companies and family businesses, register with the DIFC Registrar of Companies through the DIFC Portal. DIFC says initial approval typically arrives within 3 to 5 working days of a complete application. Banking, asset management, insurance, advising on investments and crypto token services need DFSA authorisation: the DFSA issues an in-principle approval first, then the company is registered, and the DFSA targets a final review within about four months of a complete application. Lawyers, accountants, real estate firms, dealers in precious metals and stones and corporate service providers are designated non-financial businesses and must register with the DFSA too.

Most clients use a private company (the name ends in "Limited" or "Ltd"). It needs at least one shareholder, one director aged 18 or over, an authorised signatory and a senior manager, and issued share capital above zero; there is no fixed minimum for non-regulated companies. Other options include a branch of a foreign company, partnerships, foundations for family wealth, and prescribed companies for holding and special-purpose structures, a regime DIFC widened in July 2026.

Your registered address must be in DIFC. You can lease an office, use a co-working space, or share an affiliate's DIFC office with its consent. Prescribed companies can use the address of their corporate service provider. The address you choose affects cost and the number of staff you can sponsor.

Employment in DIFC follows DIFC Employment Law, and employers join the DIFC Employee Workplace Savings plan (DEWS) instead of paying end-of-service gratuity. After the licence, DIFC arranges the establishment card, then your Dubai investor visa and staff visas; you can later sponsor your family through Dubai family visa sponsorship. Each year you renew the licence and file a confirmation statement, and companies that are not "small" file audited accounts within seven months of year end, so plan for a free zone annual audit. Companies that process personal data must file a data protection notification within six months.

DIFC is not always the right choice. If you trade goods or need a low-cost licence with a desk and a few visas, DMCC or another commercial free zone is usually a better fit. Crypto businesses outside DIFC are regulated by VARA instead of the DFSA; see VARA licence advisory. All DIFC companies must register for UAE corporate tax; 0% applies only to qualifying income if you meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions.

Cost depends on whether you are regulated, the structure, retail or non-retail status, the office option, the number of visas and data protection status. Once the company is registered we also help with the corporate bank account. Message us on WhatsApp or live chat and we will send a written quote for your structure.

What's Included

Assessment of whether your activity needs DFSA authorisation or DNFBP registration
Advice on structure: private company, branch, prescribed company or foundation
Name check against the DIFC naming policy
Preparation of the DIFC Portal application, ownership structure and UBO details
Coordination of passport certification and supporting documents
Registered address options: lease, co-working or shared affiliate office
Coordination of e-signing of the Articles of Association and payment
Establishment card and residence visa processing
Support with opening the corporate bank account
Introduction to specialist legal counsel for DFSA-regulated applications, where needed
Reminders for the confirmation statement, data protection notification and accounts filing

Requirements / Prerequisites

At least one shareholder (individual, company or government entity)
At least one director aged 18 or over, an authorised signatory and a senior manager
Issued share capital greater than zero (higher capital applies to DFSA-regulated firms)
A registered address in DIFC: lease, co-working or a shared affiliate office
DFSA in-principle approval if you are a regulated firm or a designated non-financial business
Approval from any other authority your activity requires

Required Documents

Passport of each shareholder, director and company secretary, certified digitally through the DIFC Portal or by an authorised certifier
CV or short biography for individual shareholders, directors and beneficial owners
Proof of funds: last 6 months' bank statements (individuals) or last 2 years' audited financial statements (companies)
Group ownership structure chart, if there is a parent company
Corporate shareholders: certified certificate of incorporation (issued within 6 months if not electronic) and a board resolution approving the DIFC company
Ultimate beneficial owner details (anyone with 25% or more, or control)
Notarised power of attorney if someone signs the Articles for a shareholder
DFSA in-principle approval or other authority approvals, where applicable
Legal translation of any document not in English

Our Process

Initial call: activity, ownership, regulated or not, team size
Choose structure and registered address option
For regulated firms: prepare and file the DFSA application and obtain in-principle approval
Submit the DIFC Portal application with documents (no fee at this stage)
Initial approval from DIFC, typically within 3 to 5 working days
Register the lease with the Registrar of Real Property if the office is not managed by DIFC Investments
E-sign the Articles of Association and pay licence, data protection and establishment card fees
DIFC issues the commercial licence and certificate of incorporation
Establishment card, then investor and employee visas with medical and Emirates ID
Open the corporate bank account and register for corporate tax
Join DEWS before hiring and file the data protection notification within 6 months if required

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a physical office for DIFC company setup?

You need a registered address in DIFC, but it does not have to be a private office. DIFC allows co-working spaces and sharing an affiliate's DIFC office with its consent. Prescribed companies can use their corporate service provider's address. Regulated firms are usually expected to have a proper office.

Is there a minimum share capital in DIFC?

For a private company carrying on non-regulated activities, issued share capital only has to be greater than zero. DFSA-regulated firms must meet capital requirements set by the DFSA for their category.

How long does DIFC company setup take?

For a non-regulated company, DIFC says initial approval typically comes within 3 to 5 working days of a complete application. Licence issue follows the address step, e-signing and payment. DFSA-regulated firms take longer: the DFSA targets a final review within about four months of a complete application.

How much does DIFC company setup cost?

It depends on whether you are regulated, your structure, whether you are classed as retail, your office option, the number of visas and whether you process personal data. Some licence fees are discounted in the early years for small companies. Tell us your plan and we will send a written quote.

What is the difference between DIFC and DMCC?

DIFC has its own common-law based legal system and courts and suits financial services, holding structures and professional firms. DMCC is a commercial free zone that follows UAE civil law and suits trading and general business activities. Choose DIFC if you need its legal system or the DFSA; otherwise a commercial free zone is usually simpler.

Can I set up a crypto company in DIFC?

Yes, crypto token activities in DIFC are regulated by the DFSA, not VARA. You need DFSA authorisation before you start. Outside DIFC, crypto businesses in Dubai are licensed by VARA.

Do DIFC companies pay corporate tax?

They must register for UAE corporate tax. A DIFC company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions; other taxable income is taxed at 9%.

What is a DIFC prescribed company?

It is a lighter company form used for holding assets and special-purpose structures. It does not need its own office and has reduced filing duties. DIFC changed the rules in July 2026 to widen who can use it; we check whether your structure qualifies.