DIFC — Dubai International Financial Centre
The leading financial centre between London and Singapore — 8,844 active companies, English common law jurisdiction, own courts (DIFC Courts). Home to banks, asset managers, insurers, family offices and fintechs.
Why DIFC Stands Out
DIFC was established in 2004 as Dubai's dedicated financial services hub. By the end of 2025 it housed 8,844 active companies — up from 6,920 in 2023. DIFC operates under English common law with its own courts (DIFC Courts) and regulator (DFSA), giving global financial institutions the legal infrastructure they need to operate from Dubai.
DIFC is built for regulated financial activities — banking, asset management, insurance, reinsurance, fintech, family offices and foundations. As of 2025 it hosted 1,289 family-related entities and 1,115 foundations. Setup is significantly more expensive and slower than other Dubai zones because regulated firms go through the DFSA approval process. For non-financial businesses, DMCC or Meydan are better-fit alternatives.
Why Choose DIFC
Insight Setup Packages for DIFC
Bundled services that save 20%+ vs ordering individually. All prices include Insight's professional fee plus the zone's basic license cost.
- Company registration and licensing
- Office lease agreement
- Establishment Card (Ministry of Labour)
- 1 resident visa + Emirates ID
- Company registration and licensing
- Office lease agreement
- Establishment Card
- 1 resident visa + Emirates ID
- 1 corporate bank account
- Company registration and licensing
- Office lease agreement
- Establishment Card
- 1 resident visa + Emirates ID
- 1 corporate bank account
- 1 personal bank account
Prices are starting from. Final quote depends on the activity, visa count and office type — we send the exact breakdown within 24 hours of your enquiry.
What You Can Do in DIFC
10 most popular activities — the zone supports 1,500+ in total. Full list available on request.
6 Steps to Launch in DIFC
From document collection to first banking transaction — typical timeline 2-4 weeks.
Initial consultation & document collection
We map your business activity to the right license type, prepare the document checklist and answer cost questions. Most clients close this step on a 30-minute call.
Name reservation & activity approval
We submit 3 proposed company names to the zone and confirm the activity is on the approved list. Approval comes back in 1-2 working days.
License application & payment
We submit the application package, MOA and lease through the zone portal. Payment is via online card / bank transfer. License is issued in 5-7 days.
Establishment Card & investor visa application
Once the license is live, we apply for the Establishment Card (3-5 days) and submit your investor visa entry permit (3-7 days).
Medical, biometrics & Emirates ID
You complete the medical (1 hour) and biometric capture (30 minutes). Emirates ID is issued within 5-10 days. We handle all bookings.
Corporate bank account opening
We introduce you to 2-3 UAE banks matched to your activity (Mashreq Neo, WIO, Emirates NBD, ENBD, ADCB). Account opens in 2-4 weeks.
Estimate Your Year-1 Cost in DIFC
Pick license type, visa count and office — we calculate the total instantly.
What You Need to Provide
We handle all government paperwork on your side. Here's everything we'll ask from you at the start:
- Passport copies of all shareholders (6+ months valid)
- Passport-size photos with white background
- Proposed company name (3 options)
- List of intended business activities
- Application form signed by the shareholder
- Proof of address (utility bill less than 3 months old)
- Visa copies & Emirates ID (if UAE residents)
- NOC from current sponsor (if employed in UAE)
DIFC vs Other Free Zones
Year-1 entry-level package starting prices.
DIFC — Frequently Asked Questions
Entry-level packages in DIFC start from AED 10,000+. The final cost depends on activity type, visa count and office option — most SMEs land in the AED 18,000-30,000 range for Year 1 with 1 investor visa. We send the exact breakdown within 24 hours of your enquiry.
DIFC issues most licenses in 10-30 days through its digital portal. The investor visa adds another 10-14 days after the license is issued. A corporate bank account opens in 2-4 weeks depending on the bank and activity.
Free Zone companies can sell to other Free Zone or Mainland businesses (B2B), export internationally, or sell on e-commerce platforms. Direct B2C retail to UAE consumers requires a Mainland (DET) license or a Mainland distribution agreement.
The base package includes varies by entity. Additional visas are available — pricing depends on package and office size. Investor visas allow you to sponsor your spouse, children and parents for UAE residency.
No, the incorporation is fully digital — passport scans, signed forms and payment can be submitted remotely. You only need to be physically present for Emirates ID biometrics and the medical check (2-3 hours total) when activating your investor visa.
DIFC licenses cover banking, asset management, insurance, fintech and family office services. Full list of approved activities is available on request — we match your business model to the right license type before you commit.
Sertificates
Start Your DIFC Company
