Dubai Investment Manager License

The DIFC is a purpose-built financial free-zone, located within the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The DFSA is the independent regulator of financial and ancillary services conducted in or from the DIFC, responsible for capital markets and affiliated financial services.

Key Features

A DIFC entity seeking an investment manager license must be authorised by the DFSA to provide the services of a Fund Manager in the DIFC. If it is only for QIF’s or Exempt Funds, the process is shorter and easier. For a QIF or Exempt Fund, the application process should take 4-6 weeks and the application relies heavily on self-certification and reflects the level of regulatory risks involved.

A license to only manage a QIF or an Exempt Fund is restricted to managing only these types of funds and an upgrade will be required should managing a Public Fund be desired.

Legal Requirements

Requirements

Description

General

  • Corporate  vehicle permitted

DIFC Company

  • Local physical office required

No

Application fee

USD 10,000

Annual license fee

USD 10,000

Share capital or equivalent

·         Minimum paid up capital

AED 5 million (USD 1.4 million)

Directors

  • Minimum number

1

  • Corporate directorship allowed

Yes

  • Local director required

No

Shareholders

  • Minimum number

1

  • Corporate shareholders allowed

Yes

  • Local  shareholders required

No

Service Providers Required

  • Company Secretary

Yes

Tax Treatment

The DIFC provides a 40-year guarantee of zero taxes on corporate income and profits. From an investor’s perspective, there is no withholding tax and no transfer tax.

Duration to Set Up

About 1 month

Distinctive Benefits of Licence

  • Flexibility in vehicle structuring
  • Ease and speed of establishment
  • Favourable tax regime
  • Conducive regulatory environment

The Valsen Advantage

  • End to end comprehensive service
  • Speedy and efficient service
  • Expert advice on structuring options
  • Dedicated ongoing compliance support
  • Extensive network pool of service providers

Telephone:

+248 252 5217

[email protected]

vf-international.com