Off-hours — we reply first thing at 9:00 local. Vy is always on.
Dubai International Financial Centre is an independent English-law jurisdiction with its own courts and financial regulator (DFSA). Global banks, funds and family offices sit here. We file the licence, run KYC and handle the visa, with a written scope up front.
DIFC is the UAE's longest-established financial centre: English common law, an independent court, a dedicated regulator and a district built around institutional finance.
An independent jurisdiction with its own civil and commercial code, so contracts and disputes read the way international counterparties expect.
A dedicated financial-services regulator authorises and supervises banking, funds, insurance and payments activity.
DIFC Courts hear disputes in English under common-law procedure, with judgments enforceable through the wider UAE.
The district concentrates banks, funds, law firms and advisers, which shortens the distance to counterparties and service providers.
Foundations, prescribed companies and family-office vehicles are provided for directly in the centre's own regime.
Qualifying Free Zone Person status keeps corporate tax at 0% on qualifying income when the structure and activity support it.
DIFC issues licences under its own English-law framework, with regulated financial activity authorised separately by the DFSA. Non-regulated categories — holding, family office, professional services — run on a shorter path, and both require premises inside the district.
DIFC suits firms whose counterparties, investors or regulator expect an English-law jurisdiction with its own courts — and who are prepared for the substance that comes with it.
Banking, asset management, brokerage and insurance under DFSA authorisation.
Fund structures, managers and advisory firms operating under the centre's own regime.
Single and multi-family offices, private wealth structures and foundations.
Payments, digital finance and innovation-licence firms working under DFSA supervision.
Day 1–5
Diagnostic, KYC, activity scoping, DIFC name reservation.
Week 2–4
Filing, MOA, initial approval.
Week 5–6
Licence issuance, establishment card, eSignature.
Week 7–9
Investor visa: entry permit, medical, Emirates ID.
Week 8–12
Corporate bank account (varies by bank).
Final cost depends on the zone, activity and visa count.
| Feature | Dubai International Financial Centre |   Abu Dhabi Global Market |   Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal framework | English Common Law | English Common Law | UAE Civil Law |
| 100% foreign ownership | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 0% on qualifying income | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 100% profit repatriation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Financial services licensing | DFSA | FSRA | No |
| Independent courts | DIFC Courts | ADGM Courts | No |
| Arbitration centre | DIFC-LCIA | ADGM Arbitration | DIAC |
| SPV & foundation structures | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum share capital | AED 500,000 | AED 500,000 | AED 50,000 |
| Location | Financial District, Dubai | Al Maryah & Al Reem Islands, Abu Dhabi | JLT, Dubai |
| Best for | Major financial institutions, MNC regional HQs | Fintech, financial services, AI, family offices | Commodities, SMEs, general trading |
Bank suitability depends on your activity, ownership, documents and transaction profile.
Tell us the activity and headcount. We shortlist the zones that actually accept it.
No obligation. We tell you if it is not the right route.
Sonsoto quoted us a line-item budget for the licence, visas and the bank pack up front. Nothing crept in later. That alone was worth the fee.
I’d already been rejected by two banks. Sonsoto told me why, changed the pack, and we opened with WIO in three weeks. Straight answers, no theatre.
They caught a corporate-tax filing we were about to miss and re-scoped the renewals so we stopped paying twice for the same work. Now they run everything.
We’d spoken to four firms and got four different price sheets. Sonsoto was the only one that showed us where the extras came from — and we didn’t need them.
Golden Visa done, family visas done, licence renewed. Same team, same WhatsApp thread. I don’t chase PRO agents anymore.
They told me RAK was a better fit than Dubai for our margin. I’d already paid a deposit somewhere else. They still refunded my Sonsoto retainer and helped me exit.
More clients onboarded, higher payout.
Straight to the account.
More referrals unlocks higher payouts.
