It depends on what the company will do. A firm providing financial services must be authorised and licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). A non-financial company registers with the DIFC Registrar of Companies and may not provide financial services.
DIFC also offers holding structures, foundations and subsidised licences for technology firms. NXTSTAR identifies which route applies and prepares the application.
Last reviewed: by the NXTSTAR team.
Rules are set by the authority and can change. Confirm the current position before you apply.
Who DIFC suits
DIFC suits banks, asset managers, advisers and FinTech firms that need a financial regulator, as well as law firms, consultancies, family holding structures and technology companies.
A small trading or general services business will usually find DIFC heavier than it needs.
Company structures
- Companies and partnerships, registered by the Registrar of Companies.
- Prescribed companies, a simplified structure often used for holding assets.
- Foundations, for wealth protection, family planning, philanthropy and holding businesses or investments.
- Non-profit incorporated organisations.
Licences and activities
- Financial services: authorisation and a licence from the DFSA.
- Designated non-financial businesses and professions: registration with the DFSA.
- Non-financial activities: a commercial licence, with no right to provide financial services.
- Technology firms: the AI Licence and the Innovation Licence.
Documents
- Application through the DIFC portal
- Passport copies for shareholders, directors and officers, with beneficial ownership details
- A business plan describing the proposed activity
- For a regulated firm: the DFSA application pack, including the regulatory business plan and details of key individuals
The process, step by step
- Classify the activity: financial, designated non-financial, or non-financial.
- For a regulated firm, apply to the DFSA for authorisation.
- Register the entity with the DIFC Registrar of Companies and secure premises.
- Receive the licence and continue to visas and banking.
What is particular to DIFC
DIFC has its own laws, its own regulator and its own Registrar of Companies, so choosing the wrong category at the start costs time. A company without a DFSA licence is not permitted to provide financial services in or from the centre.
What NXTSTAR does, and what we do not
- We help you choose the structure, licence and activities.
- We prepare and submit the application.
- We handle the visa and bank account steps afterwards.
- We do not decide approvals. The authority does, and banks decide on accounts.
- We are an independent consultancy and are not part of DIFC.
Common questions
Does every DIFC company need DFSA approval?
No. Only firms conducting financial services need DFSA authorisation. Non-financial companies register with the DIFC Registrar of Companies.
Can I use DIFC to hold assets or shares?
Yes. Prescribed companies and foundations are used for holding structures and family wealth planning.
Is there a route for AI and technology startups?
Yes. DIFC offers a subsidised AI Licence and Innovation Licence for non-financial technology firms.
How much does DIFC setup cost?
We do not publish prices. Ask us for a written quote that separates authority fees from our service fee.
Sources
The rules on this page come from the authority's own published material, checked on 7 October 2026.
Talk to NXTSTAR about DIFC
Tell us what you want to do and we will tell you which route fits, what it involves and what we would need from you.