Regulatory Licencing
Trusted Licencing Advisory across CBUAE, SCA,
DFSA, FSRA and VARA
A UAE commercial trade licence establishes the legal entity and defines the broad business activities that the business may undertake. However, it does not, on its own, authorise regulated activities. Regulatory licensing is a separate approval from the relevant sector regulator (e.g., CBUAE, SCA, DFSA/FSRA, VARA, RERA, DoE) that businesses may require to legally commence and maintain regulated operations.
At AKW Consultants, we help businesses identify appropriate compliance requirements and obtain the licences needed to operate lawfully and effectively.
The Top Five Regulated Licencing Challenges
01
Multiple Regulations & Sequence
Many businesses need approvals from more than one regulator, and missing the sequence can delay the final licence.
02
Capital requirements
Paid-up capital varies by activity, and many firms are unaware of the requirements specific to them.
03
Fit-and-Proper Bottlenecks
Compliance functions often require roles to meet Fit-and-Proper standards, which some candidates fail to satisfy.
04
Rulebook-aligned policies
Regulators reject generic manuals; controls must align with the business model and specific regulations.
05
Tech & data controls
Licencing requires expertise across legal, financial, and technology systems, something lots of firms struggle to demonstrate.
How AKW Helps
with Regulated Licencing Across Multiple Regulators
Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE)
- Assist in obtaining licences for banks, finance companies, insurers, exchanges, SVFs, payment service providers, and others.
- Conduct gap analysis against capital, solvency, and prudential requirements.
- Assemble the licencing pack: MoA/AoA, licencing decision, Commercial Register, UBO disclosures, paid-up capital proof, actuarial reports, specimen contracts.
- Prepare and review Fit & Proper applications for board members and senior officers.
SCA – Securities & Commodities Authority
- Identify the correct Financial Activity Licence (e.g., broker, securities dealer, investment advisor, fund manager, custodian).
- Prepare feasibility study and action plan
- Assist with capital deposit and financial guarantee requirements.
- Draft internal policies covering compliance, internal audit, risk management, governance, whistleblowing, outsourcing, and complaints handling.
- Assist with credit reports, court clearance, biographies, academic/professional qualifications, feasibility documentation, and provide post-licencing support.
DFSA – Dubai Financial Services Authority (DIFC)
- Scope activities and map to the correct DFSA licence category (Cat 1, 2, 3A–3D, 4, 5), including credit provision, investment dealing, crypto custody, asset management, payment services, crowdfunding, and Islamic finance.
- Conduct pre-application meetings with DFSA to refine the Regulatory Business Plan (RBP).
- Draft policies aligned to DFSA modules.
- Prepare authorised individuals for Fit & Proper reviews.
- Provide outsourcing support for Compliance Officer/MLRO roles.
FSRA – Financial Services Regulatory Authority (ADGM)
- Determine the correct FSRA licence category (1, 2, 3A–3C, 4, 5).
- Prepare the Regulatory Business Plan in line with regulatory obligations.
- Prepare documentation on governance structure, shareholder disclosures, risk framework, AML/CFT programme, outsourcing, and IT/cybersecurity.
- Build prudential models covering credit, market, liquidity, operational, and interest rate risk.
- Assess capital resources requirements
VARA – Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (Dubai, outside DIFC)
- Map your business model to VARA’s licenced activity categories, including exchange, custody, broker-dealer, lending and borrowing etc.
- Guide through the two-stage process: Approval to Incorporate (ATI), then full VASP Licence submission.
- Prepare and file full application documentation as applicable: incorporation, UBOs, capital proof, governance, succession plan, AML/CFT, technology and security, client protection, and specialist filings (whitepaper, DeFi, payments).
- Liaise with VARA on queries, feedback, and operational conditions, including capital lock-up and insurance.
- Provide specialist technological support for VA issuance.
- Implement ongoing compliance across AML/CFT, custody segregation, cybersecurity, and reporting obligations.
Other Regulators
- We also assist clients in obtaining regulated licences from other UAE government authorities, depending on their business activities:
- MoE – Ministry of Economy (UAE)
- RERA – Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Dubai)
- DoE – Department of Energy (Abu Dhabi)
Why Businesses Choose AKW
End-to-End Partner
From scoping and entity setup to regulated licensing and post-licensing compliance
Regulatory Coverage
Multidisciplinary team with expertise across financial, crypto, precious metals, real estate, and energy regulators
Activity Specific Documentation
Policies and controls tailored to your activity and specific rulebooks you’ll need to follow
Structured Preparation
Fit-and-Proper readiness training
for compliance roles.
Post-Licencing Compliance
Post-licencing support across regulatory obligations, including AML/CFT, accounting, tax, audit, corporate governance, risk management and responsible business.
Recognised Expertise
Awarded Best Compliance Team (2021)
and DMCC Rising Star (2025).