PART SIX · 31 · Reference
Fee Schedule
Authored by10 Leaves & Legability
Reading time · 4 min
Updated · June 2026 · Indicative guide
Exchange rate: 1 USD ≈ AED 3.67. Government fees denoted (G). All figures indicative; verify against current DIFC Pricing Guide and DFSA FER Module.
9.1 DIFC Registrar of Companies — One-Time Fees (USD)
| Fee Item |
Amount (USD) |
Notes |
| Name reservation (optional) |
USD 800 (G) |
Per DIFC Registrar of Companies fee schedule1 |
| Application for incorporation |
USD 100–8,000 (G) |
USD 100 for Prescribed Company; USD 8,000 for Private Company LTD |
| Prescribed Company incorporation |
USD 100 (G) |
|
| Standard LTD / LLC / LLP incorporation |
USD 8,000 (G) |
|
| Foundation application |
USD 0 (G) |
No initial setup cost |
9.2 Annual / Ongoing ROC Fees (USD)
| Fee Item |
Amount (USD) |
Notes |
| Commercial Licence — Non-regulated standard entity |
USD 12,000/year (G) |
Per DIFC Registrar of Companies fee schedule1 |
| Commercial Licence — Innovation / AI licence |
Per activities applied, same as authorisation |
Activity-based fee per DIFC RoC; DIFC Innovation Hub2 applies subsidies to eligible activities |
| Commercial Licence — Prescribed Company |
USD 1,100 Year 1 / USD 1,300/year thereafter (G) |
Per DIFC Prescribed Company Regulations3; 10 Leaves — DIFC Prescribed Companies 2026 Reforms4 |
| Commercial Licence — Foundation |
USD 350/year (G) |
Per DIFC Foundations Regulations / RoC fee schedule1 |
| Confirmation / Annual Return |
USD 300/year (G) |
All entities |
| Data Protection registration (Year 1) |
USD 500–750 (G) |
Foundations: USD 750; others: USD 500; per DIFC Registrar of Companies fee schedule1 |
| Data Protection renewal |
USD 250/year (G) |
|
| Knowledge & Innovation Fee |
USD 5.45 (G) |
Nominal regulatory charge |
9.3 DFSA Fees — Regulated Entities
| Fee Item |
Amount (USD) |
Notes |
| DFSA application fee (Category 4) |
USD 15,000 (G) |
Per DFSA fees page5; 10 Leaves6 |
| DFSA application fee (Category 3A/3C/3D) |
USD 15,000–40,000 (G) |
Per complexity; complex structures may attract 100% surcharge |
| DFSA application fee (Category 1/2/5) |
USD 40,000–70,000 (G) |
Range per DFSA fees page5 |
| DFSA annual licence fee (Category 4) |
USD 15,000/year (G) |
Per DIFC Registrar of Companies fee schedule1 |
| DFSA annual licence fee (Category 3C/3D) |
USD 25,000–50,000/year (G) |
Depending on transaction volumes / AUM |
| DFSA annual licence fee (Category 3A) |
USD 25,000–35,000/year (G) |
|
| DFSA annual licence fee (Category 1/2/5) |
Higher — turnover banded |
Per DFSA FER Module |
| Per-additional-activity fee |
USD 4,000/year (G) |
From 2025; per 10 Leaves6 |
| ITL application fee |
USD 5,000 (G) |
Innovation Testing Licence |
| Exempt Fund annual fee |
USD 10,000/year (G) |
Per DIFC Registrar of Companies fee schedule1 |
| QIF annual fee |
USD 5,000/year (G) |
|
| Client Assets endorsement |
USD 5,000 (one-off) (G) |
Per Salvus Funds |
9.4 Immigration / Visa Costs
| Fee Item |
Amount (USD / AED) |
Notes |
| Establishment Card (Normal) |
USD 618 / AED 2,270 (G) |
Annual |
| Establishment Card (Express) |
USD 656 / AED 2,408 (G) |
|
| Personnel Sponsorship Deposit |
USD 680 / AED 2,497 (G) |
Per employee; refundable |
| Employee Visa (government fees only) |
USD 1,500–2,500 / AED 5,500–9,200 (G) |
Medical, Emirates ID, stamping |
| Golden Visa (government fees) |
AED 2,800–4,000+ (G) |
Discretionary GDRFA approval |
9.5 Office / Operational Costs
| Item |
Indicative Range (AED / USD) |
Notes |
| Flexi desk (standard) |
AED 30,000–50,000 / USD 8,200–13,600/year |
DIFC Business Centre or serviced |
| Innovation Hub desk (subsidised) |
USD 3,000/year (USD 250/month) |
Innovation Licence holders |
| Business Centre (private office) |
AED 80,000–150,000 / USD 22,000–41,000/year |
Per PRO Services in Dubai |
| Fitted Grade A office (AED/sq ft/year) |
AED 120–220/sq ft |
Per Anika Property and Cushman data |
| Professional indemnity insurance |
USD 5,000+/year |
Compulsory for many regulated categories |
| Annual audit |
AED 10,000–40,000+ |
Mandatory for most licensed entities; IFRS-basis |
| Company secretarial / CSP |
AED 5,000–20,000/year |
|
9.6 Total First-Year Cost Estimates
| Setup Type |
Total Year 1 (AED) |
Total Year 1 (USD approx.) |
| Innovation Licence (flexi desk, 2 visas) |
Varies by activity + flexi desk + visas |
Activity-based licence fee (same as authorisation) + Innovation Hub desk + visa costs |
| Non-Financial Professional Services (business centre, 4 visas) |
AED 257,000–279,000 |
USD 70,000–76,000 |
| Category 4 Regulated Advisory (3 employees, business centre) |
~AED 378,000 |
~USD 103,000 |
| Category 3D Payment Services (full first year) |
USD 275,000–325,000 |
(includes regulatory capital) |
| Category 3C / 3A Regulated (10 employees, fitted office) |
AED 660,000–740,000+ |
USD 180,000–201,000+ |
Sources: DIFC — Pricing Guide7; DFSA — Fees (FER)5; 10 Leaves — DIFC License Costs8