From enquiry to operating licence
Part Three is the practical core of the guide — the operational playbook for incorporating and licensing in the DIFC. Written by 10 Leaves with regulatory context from Legability, it covers every decision a founder or general counsel will face between first enquiry and issuance of the operating licence.
This Part runs from the choice of regulated or non-regulated activity, through the AI/FinTech and retail tracks, entity form selection, the wealth-structure cluster (SPVs, Foundations, Family Offices), setup process and realistic timelines, a comprehensive fees and costs matrix, visa and immigration pathways, and the Centre's physical office and co-working options.
09 · Setting Up
Regulated Activities
Category 1–5 financial services licensing and the associated prudential framework.
10 · Setting Up
Non-Regulated Activities
Holding companies, prescribed companies, family offices, and commercial entities.
11 · Setting Up
AI, FinTech & Innovation
12 · Setting Up
Retail Business in DIFC
13 · Setting Up
Entity Types
LLCs, Ltds, PrivateCos, branches, foundations, trusts — the full taxonomy.
14 · Setting Up
SPVs
15 · Setting Up
Foundations
16 · Setting Up
Family Offices & Family Wealth
17 · Setting Up
Process & Timelines
Step-by-step from name reservation to operating licence — with realistic timelines.
18 · Setting Up
Fees & Costs
Application fees, annual licence fees, data protection, visa, and office cost benchmarks.
19 · Setting Up
Visas & Immigration
DIFC visas, Golden Visa eligibility, dependants, and the GEM regime.
20 · Setting Up
Office & Space
Gate District, Gate Avenue, ICD Brookfield, and DIFC Innovation Hub — where to land.