Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
2004
4K+
DIFC
Physical Address
Dubai International Financial Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
About Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
A leading global financial hub connecting businesses and institutions with emerging markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region
About Dubai International Financial Centre
Established in 2004 through a federal decree, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) represents a transformative vision to position Dubai as a global financial nexus connecting Eastern and Western markets. Spanning 110 acres in the heart of Dubai’s business district, DIFC was conceived not merely as a free zone but as a comprehensive financial ecosystem with its own independent legal jurisdiction, regulatory framework, and judicial system modeled after international best practices in financial governance.
What distinguishes DIFC from conventional free zones is its status as an independent jurisdiction within the UAE, operating under a separate legal framework based on English common law principles. This legal autonomy creates a familiar and trusted environment for international financial institutions, providing certainty and transparency in areas critical to financial operations such as contract enforcement, dispute resolution, and property rights. The Centre’s physical development reflects this institutional sophistication, with premium Grade A office spaces, secure infrastructure for financial operations, and urban design that facilitates the high-level interactions essential to financial deal-making and relationship building.
Financial Ecosystem
DIFC has evolved into a comprehensive financial ecosystem that houses over 3,200 active registered companies, including 17 of the world’s top 20 banks, 5 of the top 10 insurance companies, and numerous leading global financial institutions. This concentration of financial expertise creates a dynamic environment where capital, knowledge, and opportunities converge, facilitating sophisticated financial transactions and investment activities across regional and international markets.
The Centre’s ecosystem extends beyond traditional banking to encompass the full spectrum of financial services—wealth management, private equity, investment banking, insurance, reinsurance, capital markets, fintech, and financial advisory services. This diversity creates natural synergies where various financial activities complement and reinforce each other, enabling comprehensive financial solutions that address complex market needs. Supporting this core financial community is a sophisticated network of professional service providers including legal firms, accounting practices, compliance specialists, and corporate service providers that facilitate the technical aspects of financial operations.
Available License Types
Choose from a comprehensive range of specialized business licenses designed to support various commercial activities in the DIFC free zone
Commercial
General trading and business activities
Consulting
Expert advisory and consulting services
Financial Services
Banking and financial operations
Professional
Consulting and professional services
Service
Support and service industries
Trading
Import / export and commodity tradingEach license type has specific approvals and requirements to suit different types of businesses. Our experts will help you choose the most appropriate license for your business operations.
Why Choose DIFC for Your Business
Discover the unique advantages that make Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) a leading free zone for international business and strategic growth opportunities
Independent Legal Jurisdiction
Operation within a separate legal jurisdiction based on English common law principles, providing legal certainty, robust contract enforcement, and sophisticated dispute resolution mechanisms specifically designed for complex financial transactions.
World-Class Financial Regulation
Oversight by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), an independent regulator implementing international best practices in financial supervision, creating a regulatory environment that balances innovation with appropriate safeguards for financial stability.
Financial Ecosystem Concentration
Immersion in a community of over 3,200 financial firms including global banks, asset managers, insurers, and financial technology companies, creating unparalleled opportunities for business development, partnerships, and sophisticated financial transactions.
Strategic Time Zone Positioning
Operation from a strategic location that bridges global financial markets, with business hours overlapping with Asian markets in the morning and European/American markets in the afternoon, enabling continuous participation in global financial activities.
Financial Courts System
Access to the DIFC Courts, an independent judicial system with specialized financial expertise, offering efficient resolution of commercial and financial disputes through a familiar common law framework trusted by international financial institutions.
Zero Tax on Financial Operations
100% exemption from corporate and income taxes guaranteed for 50 years, providing long-term fiscal certainty for financial planning, profit repatriation, and capital management strategies.
100% Foreign Ownership
Complete ownership of your financial institution without local partner requirements, giving international financial groups full control over governance, compliance standards, and operational methodologies in line with global practices.
Financial Talent Pool
Access to a sophisticated pool of financial professionals, investment specialists, compliance experts, and financial analysts from around the world, supported by streamlined visa processes for financial sector personnel.
Global Financial Recognition
Operation within a financial center recognized by major global financial authorities and included in key international financial networks, facilitating cross-border transactions, regulatory cooperation, and international business relationships.
Financial Market Infrastructure
Access to sophisticated financial market infrastructure including Nasdaq Dubai exchange, clearing systems, settlement services, and market data platforms that support advanced trading and investment activities.
Wealth Management Framework
Specialized legal structures for wealth management including DIFC Foundations, trusts, and family office frameworks that provide sophisticated solutions for wealth preservation, succession planning, and asset protection.
Financial Innovation Support
Access to the DIFC Innovation Hub and FinTech Hive, providing regulatory sandboxes, accelerator programs, and innovation testing licenses that facilitate development and implementation of financial technology solutions.Ready to Join the World's Leading Trading Hub?
Start your commodities trading journey in DIFC with expert guidance from Inlex Partners
Setup Process
A streamlined 25-step process to establish your commodity trading business in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Financial Services Consultation
1-2 days
Meet with DIFC financial specialists to discuss your specific financial business model, regulatory classification, and compliance requirements. This specialized consultation addresses the unique regulatory aspects of financial services and helps determine the appropriate authorization pathway for your specific activities.
Regulatory Classification Assessment
5-7 days
Work with DIFC advisors to determine the precise regulatory classification of your proposed financial activities under the DFSA framework. This critical step identifies the specific rulebook provisions, capital requirements, and compliance obligations applicable to your operation.
Preliminary Regulatory Meeting
1 day
Engage in an initial meeting with Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) representatives to discuss your proposed financial services, regulatory expectations, and application approach. This early regulatory engagement helps identify potential compliance considerations before formal application.
Business Name Reservation
3-5 days
Submit your proposed financial institution name for approval and reservation. Names are evaluated for compliance with financial sector naming conventions and to prevent confusion with existing financial entities.
Regulatory Business Plan Development
15-20 days
Prepare a comprehensive regulatory business plan detailing your financial services model, target clients, risk management framework, compliance arrangements, and operational controls specific to your financial activities.
Compliance Framework Development
20-30 days
Develop detailed compliance policies and procedures addressing anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, sanctions compliance, client onboarding, and other regulatory requirements specific to your financial activities.
DIFC Commercial Application
3-5 days
Submit your commercial registration application to the DIFC Registrar of Companies, including corporate documentation, shareholder information, and proposed business activities.
DFSA Regulatory Application
5-7 days
For regulated financial activities: Submit comprehensive application to the Dubai Financial Services Authority including regulatory business plan, compliance frameworks, financial projections, and personnel qualifications.
Regulatory Application Review
45-90 days
Your DFSA application undergoes rigorous review by specialized financial regulators who evaluate business model viability, compliance arrangements, risk management frameworks, and fitness of key personnel for financial services roles.
Regulatory Interview Process
1-2 days
Key individuals with significant financial functions undergo formal interviews with DFSA representatives to assess their understanding of regulatory obligations, compliance responsibilities, and financial risk management relevant to their roles.
Regulatory Feedback Response
10-15 days
Address any questions, clarifications, or additional information requests from DFSA regarding your application, compliance arrangements, or operational controls for financial services activities.
Commercial Registration Approval
5-7 days
Receive approval for your DIFC commercial registration, confirming the establishment of your corporate entity within the financial centre's jurisdiction.
Regulatory Authorization (In-Principle)
5-10 days
For regulated entities: Receive in-principle approval from DFSA indicating conditional authorization to conduct specified financial services subject to fulfillment of remaining operational requirements.
Office Space Selection
5-10 days
Secure appropriate office premises within DIFC that meet both commercial needs and regulatory requirements for financial operations, including considerations for client confidentiality, data security, and operational resilience.
Fee Payment
1-2 days
Pay the required fees including commercial registration fee, regulatory application fee, annual licensing fees, and premises lease costs. Financial services firms typically face higher regulatory fees based on their specific authorization category.
Commercial License Issuance
3-5 days
Receive your DIFC commercial license authorizing your entity to operate within the financial centre's jurisdiction for specified commercial activities.
Office Fit-Out & Security Implementation
30-45 days
Complete office setup with appropriate security measures for financial operations, including access controls, surveillance systems, secure document storage, and confidential meeting spaces as required by financial regulations.
IT Systems Implementation
20-30 days
Install and configure financial technology systems including trading platforms, client management software, compliance monitoring tools, and secure communication networks that meet financial industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Pre-operational Regulatory Inspection
1-2 days
For regulated entities: Undergo on-site inspection by DFSA representatives to verify implementation of compliance arrangements, operational controls, and physical security measures before financial services can commence.
Final Regulatory Authorization
5-7 days
For regulated entities: Receive final authorization from DFSA confirming permission to commence specified financial services activities following successful completion of all regulatory requirements.
Bank Account Establishment
10-15 days
Open corporate bank accounts with DIFC-based financial institutions, including any segregated client money accounts required for regulated financial activities that involve handling client funds.
Regulatory Capital Deposit
3-5 days
For regulated entities: Deposit and verify the required regulatory capital in designated accounts as specified in your DFSA authorization, ensuring compliance with financial resource requirements.
Compliance Officer Appointment
5-7 days
Formally appoint and register key compliance personnel including Compliance Officer, Money Laundering Reporting Officer, and Senior Executive Officer (for regulated entities) with the DFSA.
Staff Recruitment & Onboarding
30-45 days
Recruit and onboard qualified financial professionals, ensuring appropriate screening, background checks, and verification of financial qualifications as required for regulated roles.
Commencement of Financial Operations
1 day
Begin providing authorized financial services following completion of all regulatory requirements, system implementations, and operational readiness assessments.
Total Timeline
2-4 weeks typical setup
Documentation
Comprehensive support provided
Expert Guidance
End-to-end assistance
Eligibility Requirements & Documentation
Comprehensive requirements and documentation needed for establishing your free zone business
Required Documents
Passport copies
Color copies of passport with minimum 6 months validity for all shareholders, directors, and key financial personnel. Enhanced verification procedures apply for individuals involved in regulated financial activities.
UAE visa copies
For existing UAE residents - copies of current residence visa with sponsor information clearly indicated.
Emirates ID
For existing UAE residents - clear copies of Emirates ID (front and back) with all security features visible.
Passport-size photographs
Recent passport-size photographs with white background (8 copies). Additional copies may be required for financial regulatory registrations and DIFC identity cards.
Financial regulatory history
Comprehensive disclosure of regulatory history in other financial jurisdictions, including any past or pending regulatory actions, investigations, or sanctions for all key personnel and the entity itself.
Permitted Activities
Banking Services
Provision of comprehensive banking services including corporate banking, investment banking, private banking, and retail banking operations under DFSA regulation
Asset Management
Management of investment portfolios, funds, and assets on behalf of institutional and individual investors across various asset classes and investment strategies
Wealth Management
Holistic financial advisory services for high-net-worth individuals and families, including investment management, estate planning, and wealth preservation strategies
Investment Fund Establishment
Creation, structuring, and administration of investment funds including mutual funds, private equity funds, hedge funds, and specialized investment vehicles
Insurance & Reinsurance
Provision of insurance underwriting, brokerage, and reinsurance services across various risk categories for both corporate and individual clients
Restricted Activities
Amenities Available in This Free Zone
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Dubai International Financial Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates