Why DIFC is the ideal hub for corporate and professional service providers.

Setting up a non-financial business in DIFC.

DIFC is the ideal global hub for corporates and professional service providers. The Centre not only gives access to a market of leading financial and non-financial firms, it also offers a stable and efficient platform to manage regional activity.

Companies can benefit from the Centre’s world-class legal and regulatory framework and global talent pool.

By establishing operations in DIFC, corporates and professional service providers can centralise and consolidate their regional resources, reducing costs and gaining a competitive advantage.

Companies can structure their operations in DIFC in several ways - including managing offices, holding companies, proprietary investment entities, or prescribed companies.

The Centre is home to corporates and professional services providers of all types. Key professional services providers' activities in DIFC include accounting & audit, management & strategy consulting, legal & compliance, risk management, education & training, market information & research, and human resources.

The Corporates and Professional Services Providers include the following sectors and sub-sectors:

Family Businesses
- Foundation
- Prescribed Company
Corporates & Multi-nationals
- Foundation
- Prescribed Company
Professional Service Providers

Why Corporates should establish a presence in DIFC?

Establishing a presence in DIFC allows firms across different sectors and industries to strategically and efficiently manage their businesses in a key MEASA hub and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Corporates may carry out any of these activities in DIFC:

Managing/Head Office
An office that provides strategic leadership, oversight, management and administration of regional or international operations of its group entities, irrespective of their location or industry.

Can provide services strictly to its group, such as, but not limited to treasury, IT , administrative, intra group as well as corporate and advisory.
Holding Company
An entity whose primary business is holding a controlling interest in the securities of other companies and enterprises.

A robust and efficient ownership structure for securities or other equity interests.
Proprietary Investments Activities
Investments are not limited to a specific industry or geography and may be from the commercial, education, healthcare, industrial and oil & gas sectors.

Suitable for direct investments, acquisitions, joint ventures or partnerships.

Appropriate for investments in private equity, other alternative investment funds or assets.

This category does not permit the collection of funds from third parties.
Prescribed Company
A vehicle that can be established by qualifying applicants and/or qualifying purpose.

Quick and easy registration process.

Low-cost setup.

Can use a DIFC corporate service provider’s address.

What can it be used for:

Risk mitigation

Ring-fence assets

Tax efficiency

Strategic structuring

Succession planning

Financing and securitisation

2 easy steps to start setting up your business

Step one.

Apply for initial approval.

An application for initial approval is completed through DIFC portal. Information required will vary depending on company legal structure and planned activities.

Step two.

Submit requirements.

Following receipt of initial approval, there are requirements which need to be completed to register the legal entity.

Handbooks and documents

Service Fact Sheet
Setting up a non-financial entity handbook
Financial checklist – limited liability partnership
Financial checklist – private company
Registrar of Companies – Table of fees

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Types of spaces

innovation license

Startups

Business centres.

DIFC’s modern business centres, or serviced offices, provide multi-purpose offices with high-tech services.

innovation license

Retail

Financial

Non-Financial

Commercial office spaces.

DIFC offers 1.45 mn sq. ft. of premium office spaces.