DIFC: what it is good for, and what it is not

At a glance

DIFC in summary

Published fees

Activities: Licence fees are flat by entity category (Non-Retail vs Retail, plus Innovation/Fintech tiers), not per activity. Note: DIFC publishes ROC fees in USD (Table of Fees Rev.16, updated 30 July 2026); AED amounts converted at the fixed peg 3.6725 - show USD originals; GSO visa fees are AED (handbook Rev.19, 26 Dec 2024); most items carry an extra AED 20 KID; office prices not published.

Visas: GSO charges per visa in AED with Normal/Express tiers; each sponsored visa carries an AED 2,500 refundable deposit.

Authority fees, as published

Government fees for residence visas

Every figure above comes from the authority’s own fee page or schedule, with the link beside it and was last checked on 17 October 2026. Fees change, some exclude VAT, and the list is not everything a setup costs: our professional fee, office rent, document attestation and bank requirements are quoted separately. Lines older than 90 days drop off until re-checked.

What happens after formation

Corporate tax registration, bookkeeping, VAT if you cross the threshold, and — in many zones — audited financial statements at renewal. We set the dates out before you launch rather than after.

Package contents, visa quotas, activity lists and audit requirements are set by each authority and change. Every figure is confirmed against the authority’s current terms at the time we advise you.