Why businesses choose ACCLRT?
- Strong UAE market and regulatory insight.
- Seamless compliance across UAE, DIFC, and ADGM frameworks.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) holds a prominent position as the primary global financial center in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. With nearly two decades of experience, DIFC has played a pivotal role in facilitating trade and investment flows throughout MEASA, a region encompassing 72 countries and boasting a combined population of around three billion people.
DIFC Authority
Provides an independent legal framework, based on international standards of justice and English common law.
Dubai Financial Services Authority
Regulates all financial services activities carried out in and from the DIFC.
DIFC Courts
Administers an independent English common law judiciary.
Free Zone
Offers benefits including 100% foreign ownership, no restriction on capital repatriation, tax advantages
Benefits of setting up a company in DIFC
Global Financial Hub
Robust Legal & Regulatory Framework
Attractive Tax Environment
Innovation & FinTech Ecosystem
100% Ownership & Strategic Access
Wealth Structuring & Asset Protection
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DIFC Innovation License Requirements
The DIFC Innovation Hub is a complete business ecosystem for Tech Start-ups within the prestigious DIFC jurisdiction. We are introducing the most subsidised Business License for Emerging Tech Companies!
- 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.
DIFC Innovation License Requirements
The DIFC Innovation Hub is a complete business ecosystem for Tech Start-ups within the prestigious DIFC jurisdiction. We are introducing the most subsidised Business License for Emerging Tech Companies!
- 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.
The following proofs are required for all company members including Directors, Shareholders, Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), and Contact persons.
Note: Please ensure the certified true copy (scanned version) of your identity and address proof contains sufficient details and exact wording as the sample →
License type
Activities
Base Capital
To establish the identity of a corporation or entity, it is necessary to provide company documents and proofs of its members.
License Type
Activities
Base Capital
To establish the identity of a corporation or entity, it is necessary to provide company documents and proofs of its members.
License Type
Activities
Base Capital
To establish the identity of a corporation or entity, it is necessary to provide company documents and proofs of its members.
License Type
Activities
Base Capital
To establish the identity of a corporation or entity, it is necessary to provide company documents and proofs of its members.
License Type
Activities
Base Capital
To establish the identity of a corporation or entity, it is necessary to provide company documents and proofs of its members.
License Type
Activities
Base Capital
To establish the identity of a corporation or entity, it is necessary to provide company documents and proofs of its members.
License Type
Company Members
Base Capital
To establish the identity of a corporation or entity, it is necessary to provide company documents and proofs of its members.
License Type
Activities
Base Capital
The benefits of startup licences have been given to tech startups in education and regulatory technology. DIFC has over 700 innovation licenses.
This license offers significant discounts on initial and ongoing fees, no paid up share capital requirements, access to world-class coworking spaces at competitive prices, and integration into an ecosystem comprising technology companies, investors, and the region’s leading venture capital funds.
DIFC offers commercial licences to artificial intelligence (AI) and Web3 businesses at a 90% subsidy.
License type
Activities
DIFC Innovation License Requirements
- 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.
Foundations, unlike trusts, are independent legal entities and are versatile tools used for family wealth planning, philanthropy, business holdings, asset protection and real estate holding within the UAE.
Foundations can apply to be treated as Unincorporated Partnerships for tax purposes (taxed at 0%) if following conditions are met
i) established for the benefit of natural persons or a public benefit entity
ii) primarily managing assets or funds
iii) not conducting business activities and
iv) not primarily aiming to avoid taxes under UAE CIT.
License Type
Activities
Base Capital
DIFC is the ideal hub for corporates and professional service providers. The Centre also offers a stable platform to manage regional activity. Some of the activities are listed below:
Activities
Base Capital
A prescribed company is ideal for holding companies, managing office and/or proprietary investments.
It is cheap and easy to set up.
Prescribed companies can only be registered for a qualified purpose or by a qualified applicant.
It is also ideal for succession planning, managing business continuity and ring-fencing assets.
The estimated timeline to register a prescribed entity is four weeks following issuance of corporate bank account numbers 8 to 10 weeks thereafter.
License Type
Activities
Base Capital
Company setup in DIFC: Pre-incorporation steps
A streamlined workflow covering incorporation, licensing, tax registration, and residency to set up your Free Zone company with a smooth and efficient process.
Consultation phase
Before starting the DIFC company incorporation process, our client explains their existing and proposed business activities, business goals, and requirements for the new entity. ACCLRT and our client plan the optimal structure for the entity and agree on
i) engagement fees payable
ii) potential licensing requirements and
iii) details of directors and share allocation;
Planning phase
Our firm takes all information provided to plan the process in detail, including
i) Dubai business incorporation,
ii) multi-currency corporate bank account opening and
iii) securing applicable licenses.
This phase sets client expectations and seeks to minimise disruption until project completion. Our deliverable is a step-by-step project plan.
Business plan and financial projections, Letter of Intent (LoI) and initial assessment by the authorities
As per the client’s information, our incorporation team
i) drafts a detailed business plan,
ii) drafts a Letter of Intent (LoI), and
iii) requests a meeting with DIFC authority and DFSA.
During this first meeting, the authority will informally review the application and consider the applicant’s suitability and the licence category. The authority will also supply a list of required documents to ACCLRT.
Company setup in DIFC: Incorporation steps
Document submission
ACCLRT submits the quality incorporation application online.
In-Principle approval
Following a detailed review of the business plan, application and documents, DIFC authority
i) confirms name reservation and
ii) issues an In-Principle Approval Certificate. Note that it is usual for the authorities to revert multiple times during this pre-approval stage, requesting additional documents and information.
Consequently, the process usually takes a minimum of four months. Once In-principle approval is issued, it is valid for three months.
Document attestation
We supply our client with a complete list of documents that require attestation at the UAE embassy in the country of origin. We assist them in documents submission as well.
DIFC company incorporation and registration
The attested documents and the In-Principle Approval certificate are submitted to the Registrar of Companies (ROC). The ROC issues a provisional Certificate of Incorporation;
Bank account for the DIFC company and deposit of capital
Our team assists the client to open a Dubai corporate bank account for their business within five weeks. It is compulsory for the client to travel to Dubai for an hour-long interview with the bank officer before opening the account. Immediately, after getting the corporate bank account number, our client deposits the paid-up share capital.
Office premises
Simultaneously with the step above, we assist our client in locating office space and signing a year’s long lease agreement. This step is necessary before the licence. Fortunately, DIFC offers a wide range of office options. From co working space to business centres, DIFC caters to all the clients with relevant options.
License issuance
Within one week of ACCLRT submitting to DIFC and DFSA
i) a certificate of capital deposit
ii) signed lease agreement, and
iii) a payment slip for the payment of office rental fees, DIFC Authority issues the commercial licence. Our client can now conduct business in the UAE.
Company setup in DIFC: Post incorporation steps
Additional registrations
Now that the company is fully incorporated, we can register the entity for Value Added Tax (VAT), Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and apply for employee visas;
Registration completion
Following the receipt of all necessary approvals and documents, ACCLRT emails the complete company kit to our client, including original corporate documents, unopened bank correspondences, and a feedback survey to ensure client’s expectations were met during the entire engagement period.
Statutory compliances:
Our client must appoint a Dubai qualified auditor within one month of registration, submit quarterly VAT reports, and prepare annual audited financial statements. Depending on the business category, additional financial reporting may be needed.
Expertise
Our team consists of experienced marketing professionals with a proven track record across various industries. With deep expertise in the latest marketing trends, best practices, and social platform technologies, we provide valuable insights and strategic recommendations to help businesses thrive.
Comprehensive Solutions
We Analyze, Strategize, and Drive Results. No matter the challenge—big or small—we deliver solutions for lasting growth.
Why Our Clients Love to Work with Us!
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