Set Up Your Company in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the leading financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. With almost two decades of experience, DIFC has played a key role in facilitating trade and investment across 72 countries and a population of around three billion people.
Located between Burj Khalifa and Emirates Towers, the DIFC Innovation Hub offers a prestigious ecosystem for Tech Startups, providing innovation licenses and DIFC fintech licenses within the renowned DIFC jurisdiction. This prime location is perfect for your tech startup, featuring an affordable DIFC trade license cost.
DIFC’s strategic location acts as a vital link connecting the markets of the MEASA region with the economies of Asia, Europe, and the Americas, all through the vibrant city of Dubai.
Apply for an innovation license at DIFC and join the thriving tech community in this premier location within the DIFC innovation hub with Eslam Elgendy!
DIFC Innovation License Requirements
Our mission is to empowers businesses size to thrive in an businesses ever changing marketplace. We are committed to the delivering exceptionals the value through strategic inset.
- The entity should be non-regulated and cannot conduct any financial services including financial advisory, arranging money services etc.
- The entity must provide a type of technology like a Software Solution, AI, Web3, Technology R&D, or Blockchain.
- The entity or business activities must be tech-related or innovation-related as this license is sector agnostic.
- The entity must have a physical presence within DIFC with a minimum requirement of obtaining a flexible desk at the co-working spaces.
- The entity cannot generate any trading/selling of physical products (e.g., import/export of physical products) through direct or e-commerce channels.
- Source of income should be produced for compliance purposes.
Benefits of the DIFC Tech Start-up Package
- Subsidised License by 90%
- 4 Visa Allocation
- Governed by the UK Common Law and not the UAE Sharia Civil Law
- No Restriction on Capital Repatriation
- ZERO Currency Restrictions
- Access to a Thriving Start-up Ecosystem
- Access to DIFC Co-working Facilities and Modern Amenities
Applicable Business Activities
This category encompasses consultancy firms aiding enterprises, conducting user needs analysis, and utilizing computer hardware and software for optimal solutions. It involves selecting software suitable for company activities, operational specifications, equipment, setting up computer rooms, preparing procurement documents, and offering related services and consultations.
This category comprises firms specializing in assessing and analyzing data from public and private entities, consolidating them into a unified repository for structured reviews and diverse analyses. They classify data based on common characteristics to uncover valuable insights, inform conclusions, and aid decision-making, aiming to enhance investment returns and optimize resource utilization.
This category encompasses firms specializing in providing thorough professional cybersecurity consulting services to organizations. They advise on preparing for, preventing, and safeguarding against cyber-attacks and threats, which may target networks, computers, programs, and data. Their services include assessing cybersecurity measures to ensure compliance with regulations, as well as reactive support such as responding to cyber breaches and conducting recovery activities post-incident.
This category encompasses firms specializing in conducting research and experimental development studies related to technology businesses. Their focus is on innovating, introducing, and improving products and processes. They establish guidelines to enhance design, evaluation, and implementation techniques, conducting a range of investigative activities aimed at developing new products and enhancing existing ones.
This category comprises firms specializing in establishing the technical infrastructure of information technology, including networks, systems, and databases. They also engage in preparing consultative studies and installing networks and systems, which may include manpower training.
These centers or institutes specialize in conducting studies, experiments, and developmental research on learning technologies to improve the design, evaluation, and implementation of learning techniques for optimal efficiency.
This involves offering computer systems analysis and software design services to educational and training facilities. It includes analyzing user needs and problems, providing consultancy on the most cost-effective solution, and implementing necessary programs. Additionally, it covers software installation, testing, and operation.
This involves offering technical services and consultations related to information technology and applications such as internet and data warehousing. The aim is to improve administrative and technical performance in various corporations. These firms are not authorized to market or produce any software or products related to this technology.
This entails offering thorough professional consultations to IT organizations, aiding them in aligning their requirements with networking solutions. It encompasses securing, analyzing, and designing network solutions to uphold the security and integrity of their IT assets.
These are firms specialized in creating and hosting internet sites with content accessible to users.
Frequently Asked Questions
The DIFC Innovation License is a Commercial License with a subsidised fee structure open to all technology and innovation start-ups.
The DIFC Tech Start-up License or DIFC Innovation License is offered to a wider ecosystem of technology enablers, catering to Technology/Innovation firms interested in developing or testing new, novel, or innovative products.
The License is subsidised for a period of 5 years, at a rate of USD 1,500 per annum.
Yes, physical presence is mandatory in the DIFC. The minimum requirement for the DIFC Tech Start-up License is 1 flexi-desk (USD500+vat).
No, the DIFC client on-boarding system is fully digital, and the process is done online.
Refer to the above section that details out all the included business activities.
The process comes in two stages. The first stage is to obtain the ‘In-principle Approval’ from the Registration Review Committee, which can take around 5-7 working days. Once you have been granted the ‘In-principle Approval’ you will be given access to second stage which is the setup of the legal entity in the DIFC. This process can take up to a day to a few days to complete as it requires you to complete the steps needed (Articles of Association, obtaining a lease, paying the fees etc.). Once completed, you will be able to submit for the Commercial License to be issued. Please note that the second stage is dependent on how fast you can finish the process.
No, there are no capital requirements for entities under the DIFC Tech Start-up License.
All DIFC companies are now required to file a confirmation statement with the DIFC Registrar of Companies at the time of license renewal. The confirmation statement will include a confirmation that all information (and any changes to such information) required to be notified to the DIFC Registrar of Companies has been so notified.
The DIFC Tech Start-up License is only applicable to those conducting un-regulated activities.
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