With a number of different options for establishing different types of investment funds in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) remains a top jurisdiction of choice for the set up of a variety of Investment Funds.
The DIFC has a Regulatory regime for Funds and has been designed to meet international standards for regulation and, where required, to provide adequate investor protection.
The DIFC as a premium International Financial Free Zone has an independent risk-based regulator, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), which provides a facilitative, business-friendly regulatory framework while remaining compliant with the International Organisation of Securities Commission’s (IOSCO) principles for regulating Funds.
The DIFC is one of the two Financial Free Zones within the UAE with its own civil and commercial laws. At the heart of the DIFC model is an independent risk-based regulator, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), which grants licenses and regulates the activities of all banking and financial institutions in DIFC. As a financial free zone with an independent jurisdiction, DIFC has three independent authorities:
These three authorities ensure that DIFC offers a highly professional yet business-friendly environment operating with the best practices and recognized by all the major financial centers across the world.
The DIFC Regulatory regime for Funds has been designed to meet international standards for regulation and, where required, to provide adequate investor protection.
The DFSA has provided a facilitative, business-friendly regulatory framework while remaining compliant with the International Organisation of Securities Commission’s (IOSCO) principles for regulating Funds.
Wincore provides strategic assistance and coordination services on establishing investment funds in the DIFC. Our team of senior-level compliance and legal advisors, combined with sophisticated corporate service expertise, can provide the highest quality advisory and set up services for regulated and unregulated set-ups, at a competitive cost and within an efficient and respected processing timeline.
Funds | Minimum Subscription | Maximum Unit Holders | Regulatory Level | Offer |
Public Funds (PF)
Fund available to retail clients. |
No Minimum | No Maximum | Higher regulatory requirements. | Units Offered to the general public. |
Exempt Funds (EF)
Fund only available to professional clients. |
$50,000 | 100 | Slightly less Stringent than PF. | Units Offered to persons by way of private placement. |
Qualified Investor Funds (QIF)
Fund only available to professional clients. |
$500,000 | 50 | Significantly less stringent than PF & EF. | Units Offered to persons by way of private placement. |