Dubai Free Zone Company Registration Process: DIFC Registration Introduction

As the core carrier of Dubai's positioning as an international financial hub, DIFC (Dubai International Financial Center) has become the first choice for financial, technological and professional service enterprises to settle in the Middle East with its independent judicial system, 0% corporate income tax and seamless connection with the global financial market. According to the data of DIFC Registration Bureau, the passing rate of compliance applications with complete materials reached 95%, while omission of qualification or vague expression was the main reason for rejection. In this paper, combined with the relevant policies, detailed DIFC company registration process and the core points of the complete.

Pre-Registration Core Preparation

1. Industry positioning and pre-qualification

DIFC implements strict industry access management for resident enterprises, focusing on the following areas:

fintech: blockchain payment, AI risk control, digital asset custody, etc. (product prototypes and technical white papers are required)

professional services: legal, audit, consulting (need to provide the parent company qualification certificate and more than 3 years of industry experience)

wealth Management: Family Offices, Private Equity

insurance technology: car insurance pricing algorithm, health insurance smart underwriting (subject to technical certification by the UAE Insurance Authority)

2, Corporate Architecture Design

legal form:

FZCO (Free Zone Limited Liability Company): Suitable for most enterprises, shareholder liability is limited to registered capital

Branch (Branch): The parent company must have been established for 2 years and have independent financial accounting.

Shareholding structure: 100 per cent foreign ownership subject to appointment of 1 local service agent

3. Budget planning

registration fee: including the first year license fee, office space deposit and agency service fee

hidden costs:

application fee for financial license: about 500000 dirhams for license and 300000 dirhams for insurance brokerage license

data compliance audit: GDPR and DIFC data law double regulation audit fees.

Employee visa guarantee: the main applicant is required to pay a deposit of 20000 dirhams.

Dubai Free Zone Company Registration Process

1. Name approval and material pre-examination

naming rules: the name must contain "FZCO" or "FZE" suffix, and must not be repeated with the registered company.

Core Materials:

copy of shareholder's passport (notarized).

Business plan (including market analysis, financial forecast and compliance plan).

Anti-money laundering review documents (proof of source of funds is required for a single transaction exceeding US $10000).

Tip: Screen name availability in advance through the DIFC official name tool.

2. Sign the lease agreement

office Space Options:

entity office: office building in DIFC core area.

Flexible office solutions: shared office space.

Key terms: The lease contract shall specify "for DIFC company registration" and the lease period shall not be less than 12 months.

3. Submission of application and payment of fees

online system filling: submit the company's basic information, equity structure and business scope through DIFC Portal.

Cost structure:

registration fee

industry License Fee

agency service fee

4, license acquisition and bank account opening.

Type of License:

General Trading License: applicable to commodity trade.

Financial Services License: applicable to banks, insurance and other licensed institutions.

Innovation License: 30% fee reduction for fintech start-ups in the first year.

Bank account opening:

account opening requirements: business contract and customer list are required.

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