Start a Company in Dubai international financial center

Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) is one of the most esteemed global financial center, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 72 countries with an approximate population of 3 billion and a staggering GDP of US$ 8 trillion.

With an unparalleled track record of promoting trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the DIFC connects rapidly-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe and the America through Dubai.

DIFC is home to globally recognized, independent governance and a proven judicial and legal system with an English common law structure, as well as the region’s biggest financial ecosystem of more than 25,600 professionals working across over 2,400 active registered companies – making up the largest and most varied pool of industry talent in the DIFC region.

The Center’s vision is to pioneer the future of finance and trade. Today, it offers one of the region’s most inclusive Financial Tech and venture capital sites, including cost-effective licensing solutions, purposeful regulation, innovative growth accelerator programs, and funding for growing start-ups.

Comprising a variety of world-renowned retail and dining venues, a dynamic art and culture scene, residential apartments, hotels and public spaces, DIFC continues to be one of Dubai’s most sought-after business and lifestyle destinations.

One kind of working system in the MEASA

The DIFC is the financial hub of Dubai. It is a federal financial free zone and was established after United Arab Emirates Federal Decree No. 35 of 2004, United Arab Emirates Federal Law No. 8 of 2004 and Dubai Law No. 12 of 2004. The DIFC occupies a physical span of approximately 110 acres. The DIFC has its own judicial and legal system and courts, separate from those of the UAE, with jurisdiction over corporate, commercial, civil, employment, trusts and securities law matters.

The DIFC aims to facilitate a dedicated sector for financial institutions to engage in business with the emerging financial markets of the region. It was set up with the vision of creating an environment for economic growth, progress and financial development in the UAE, while accessing the region’s markets by providing globally recognized legal and business practice, as well as the systematic infrastructure keeping up with international standards.

It is a financial center with a tactile location between the two time zones of the east and the west, it is surrounded by a strategic location that is fast progressing and rich in natural resources.

Key advantages at DIFC

Setting up a company at DIFC is a hassle free process

• No restrictions on foreign exchange
• 100% foreign ownership
• 0% tax on corporate or personal income
• Full repatriation of capital and profits
• Dollar-denominated environment
• Strict money laundering laws
• State-of-the-art office accommodation, advanced technology, well-connected transport, communications, and internet infrastructure
• Data protection/security
• Operational support and business continuity facilities of high standards
• Transparent operating environment
• Availability of skilled professionals
• Transparent business environment complying with internationally accepted laws and regulatory processes in accordance with global best practices
• An international stock exchange with debts and equity listings (primary and secondary)

Visa assistance

DIFC provides businesses and their employees’ hassle free and easy visa application and acquisition.

• Dubai Visa Services at DIFC
• Staff Sponsorship
• Family Sponsorship

Company types allowed at FIDC

• Company Limited by Shares (LTD)

A LTD limited Company is permitted to bring in capital by offering shares by way of a public offer and can issue securities to new investors. A minimum of one shareholder is required.

• Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A LLC Limited Liability Company may or may not be regulated under DFSA and may not issue securities. A minimum of one member is required to form this kind of business entity.

• Recognized Company (RC)

A RC Registered Company or a recognised company is a registered branch of an existing international business entity within the DIFC. A RC is not considered to be a different legal business and therefore is a just a mere extension of the foreign incorporated company.

• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

A LLP limited liability partnership may or may not be established by two or more persons who should be participants of the LLP. The liabilities of the members are limited to the extent of their financial contributions to the LLP.

• General Partnership (GP)

A GP is formed by two or more persons and all partners are jointly and severally liable without limitation, for the debts and obligations of the partnership.

• Limited Partnership (LP)

A LP is formed by two or more persons and must include at least one general partner whose liability will be unlimited and one limited partner whose liability shall be limited to the contribution made by it to the LP.

• Special Purpose Companies

According to the DIFC laws and regulations, Special purpose companies need to be licensed to function under the DIFC Authority.

Pre-existing LLP, GP or LP may or may not be registered in the DIFC

The DIFC Authority also allows foreign companies to be transferred to the DIFC (provided that the foreign company has the authority to do so as under to the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation destination).

Non-regulated businesses are those, which are set up at the DIFC but are not carrying on a Financial Service (as defined in the DFSA Rulebooks) or are not required to be regulated as per to one or more of the exemptions set out in the DFSA Rulebooks. Examples of such entities include holding companies, companies carrying out proprietary financial investments, business entities carrying out activities of a customer support or back-office nature, service providers such as recruitment or head hunting agencies, restaurants, coffee shops and bars.

Conclusion

DIFC is the expressway to exponential financial and economic growth setting a progressive and futuristic tone for its business owners. Operational transparency and core value of integrity. DIFC is the epicentre to a world-class stock exchange, the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX). This onshore financial centre is set up in a humungous area of about 110 acres and has a distinguished and different legal system with complete jurisdiction over matters related to employment issues, corporate security, commercial trusts, and civic bodies. Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) is an independent risk-based facilitator and the ruling and administrative governing body that regulates and oversees the smooth functioning of financial and banking services hosted by DIFC and provides them a growth-oriented, secure and stable platform to conduct business. This regulatory body issues business licenses to companies planning to set up operations in this largest intercontinental financial cluster between continents.

Want to Setup your company in DIFC please feel free to:

Drop us an email at: [email protected]
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Call us: +971 04 553 9901
+971 04 447 1286
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or visit us at:
Office 706, 7th Floor, Bayswater Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE