Retail Entity Registration – DIFC
Retail Entity Registration – DIFC Proposal
Client Details
Retail Entity Registration – DIFC
[Client Name] – [Company Name]
21 September 2026
1. Introduction
A retail entity in DIFC allows a business to operate a retail outlet within the Dubai International Financial Centre. The entity is set up as a Company or Partnership — Non-Profit Incorporated Organisations and Foundations cannot be used for retail entities — and registration is completed entirely through the DIFC Portal.
Retail space can be leased directly from DIFC Investments Ltd (e.g. The Gate Building, Gate Village, Gate Avenue, The Pavilion) or from a third-party building, subject to lease registration with DIFC Services.
2. Required Documents
The following documents and information are required to submit the Retail Entity application:
| Document / Information | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Passport copy | Of the applicant; certified via DIFC digital passport verification (liveness check, up to 3 minutes) or by uploading a certified copy. |
| Proposed entity name and type | Provided during self-registration on the DIFC Portal. |
| Business activities, stakeholders and business plan | Detailed information on the entity, its controllers and officers, submitted as part of the Initial Approval application. |
| Lease agreement or Self-Occupy certificate | Lease for DIFC-owned or third-party space (third-party leases must be registered with DIFC Services within 20 days of signing), or a Self-Occupy certificate request where the entity owns the unit. |
Third-party building leases must be registered with DIFC Services within 20 days of signing — failure to register within this timeframe results in a USD 1,000 penalty.
Fee Schedule
DIFC Authority Fees (Operational Company)
InBusiness Professional Fee
| Description | AED | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Service Fee (Retail Entity) | 18,362.50 | 5,000.00 |
Total Summary
| Option | AED | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Total (Authority + InBusiness) | 99,333.79 | 27,048.00 |
InBusiness fee covers full assistance with DIFC Portal self-registration, Initial Approval application, constitutional documents, lease registration, and ongoing coordination through to licence issuance.
4. Scope of Licence Services
Assistance with DIFC Portal self-registration, including passport verification (digital or certified copy)
Guidance on the proposed entity name and legal structure (Company or Partnership)
Registration of third-party building leases with DIFC Services within the required 20-day window, or coordination of a Self-Occupy certificate where applicable
Preparation and submission of the Initial Approval application, including business activity, stakeholder and business plan details
Preparation of the constitutional documents (Articles of Association) and coordination of signing, electronically via the DIFC Portal or physically at the DIFC Services Office
Coordination of the Establishment Card application where employment visas are required
Portal wallet top-up and submission of the applicable DIFC fees at each stage
Ongoing point of contact for any returned submissions requiring further information or documentation
Non-Profit Incorporated Organisations and Foundations cannot be used to set up a retail entity in DIFC.
All requirements, timelines and fees are subject to DIFC approvals and may vary based on the selected legal structure and business activity.
5. Processing Timeline
| STAGE | PROCESSING TIME |
|---|---|
| Initial Approval review by DIFC | 5 working days |
| Third-party lease registration (if applicable) | Within 20 days of signing (late penalty: USD 1,000) |
| Register with DIFC — certificate and licence issuance | Following signing of constitutional documents and appointment of officers |
Timelines above are DIFC's stated processing benchmarks and may extend depending on the completeness of the application and the selected legal structure and business activity.
Confidential | Retail Entity Registration – DIFC Proposal