Jurisdictions
DIFC — Dubai International Financial Centre
The region's leading common-law financial and wealth hub — the right base for holding structures, family offices, foundations and regulated financial activity.
- Setup from
- USD 8,000–18,000 registration (structure-dependent) · Prescribed Company from USD 100 to apply
- Typical timing
- 5–10 business days for registration; 3–6 months if DFSA authorisation is required
- Physical office
- mandatory for most entities (some Prescribed Companies exempted)
- Legal system
- DIFC Courts, English common law, English-language
When DIFC is appropriate
Yes, if
- You're structuring how a family or a group holds assets — shares, UAE real estate, investment portfolios — rather than running a trading business
- You want a Foundation for succession planning: a legal person that can own assets and contract in its own name, distinct from a trust
- You're setting up a Single or Multi Family Office and want DIFC's dedicated 2026 Family Office framework
- Your activity is financial services requiring DFSA authorisation (asset management, fund administration, advisory)
Not the best fit, if
- You're running a straightforward trading or services business with no wealth-structuring need — IFZA, Meydan or DMCC will be materially cheaper and faster
Typical documents
| For an operating company / holding company | For a Foundation |
|---|---|
| Passport copies of shareholders, directors, UBO | Passport copy of the Founder |
| Attested corporate documents for corporate shareholders | Foundation Charter and By-laws (A&D drafts with partner counsel) |
| Business plan and, for regulated activity, a DFSA application pack | Details of Council members and beneficiaries |
| Proof of registered DIFC office address | Details of the assets to be held |
| Source of funds / source of wealth evidence | Source of funds / source of wealth evidence |
Process
1Choose the structure: LLC, Recognised Company (branch), Holding Company, Prescribed Company, or Foundation
2For regulated activity, obtain DFSA in-principle approval before or alongside incorporation
3Reserve the company/foundation name with the DIFC Registrar
4Submit incorporation documents and pay registration fees
5Secure DIFC office space (except exempted Prescribed Companies)
6Receive the Certificate of Incorporation / Certificate of Registration
7Open the DIFC or UAE corporate bank account
Cost of services
| Structure | Price |
|---|---|
| DIFC LLC (operating company) | from USD 8,000 registration (USD 50,000 min. share capital) |
| Prescribed Company (holding/SPV, no office required) | from USD 100 to apply |
| Foundation | from USD 200 incorporation |
| Legal drafting (Foundation charter/by-laws) | from AED 12,000 |
| Single Family Office | Price on request |
Final price depends on activity, structure and visa quota — request a fixed quote.
We reply within 15 minutes during working hours
Talk to us about your situation
REF · DIFC
Frequently asked questions
Talk to us about your situation
We reply within 15 minutes during working hours
Tell us your goal, your residency status and your rough timeline — the more specific the first message, the faster we can help.
Related services