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ScoutBusiness setup
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In Scout · Business setup

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Mainland
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Mainland vs free zoneCompare free zonesDIFC vs ADGMCrypto (VASP) licenceSetup toolsSample setup reportAfter you incorporate
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Apps

For companies

ComplyGovern

For firms serving clients

OnboardShieldLedgerBecome an Arakan adviser

For setting up

ScoutAtlas

Screening, rules and records

VerifyLexaraVaultScope

Free guides

Free zonesBusiness activitiesUAE laws and rulebooksRegulatory updates
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Explainer videos and demosLexara Academy

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Activity Permissions / Investment Management

Investment Management: which UAE zones permit it

Verified permission status across 3 UAE zones and jurisdictions, including additional licence requirements where a sector regulator sits on top of the zone's own registration.

DIFC
requires additional licence

DFSA Category 3C licence for investment management; Cat 3A for retail client permissions

Additional licence: DFSA — DFSA Investment Licence Cat 3C

Primary route for investment managers targeting professional clients. AED 500K min capital Cat 3C.

ADGM
requires additional licence

FSRA Category 3C equivalent; preferred for institutional funds and asset managers

Additional licence: FSRA — FSRA Fund Manager Licence

Common-law courts; stronger institutional investor recognition for certain fund structures.

DED-DXB
not permitted

Investment management requires DFSA or FSRA licence; SCA licence for mainland-facing funds

Additional licence: SCA — SCA Fund Manager Licence

SCA is the mainland regulator for collective investment schemes. Less common than DFSA/FSRA route.

Confirm the right structure for investment management

Scout's Structure & Jurisdiction Recommendation applies this same permission data to your specific ownership, capital, and client profile.

Get your ranked shortlist
Arakan

UAE compliance, from company setup to filing — for UAE companies and the firms that serve them. 11 apps on one company record.

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11 apps

Comply

Your compliance manager

Govern

Governance and board compliance

Onboard

Client onboarding (KYC/CDD)

Shield

Clients' regulatory compliance

Ledger

Clients' FTA compliance

Scout

Planning your UAE setup

Atlas

UAE setup reference

Verify

Sanctions and PEP screening

Lexara

UAE rulebook library

Vault

Statutory records storage

Scope

What applies to you

Business setup by activity

All 2,100+ activities
Trading & ServicesManufacturingReal Estate & Business ServicesPersonal & Social ServicesTransport, Storage & LogisticsConstruction & ContractingFinancial ServicesVirtual AssetsHealth & Social WorkEducationAgriculture & FishingProfessional & Technical ServicesAccommodation & Food ServicesMining & QuarryingUtilities & Energy
Free zone setup costsFree zone price indexSetup cost calculatorMainland vs free zoneWhich zones permit your activity

UAE free zones by emirate

View all
Dubai
DMCCDIFCJAFZADAFZADSODWCDICDubai Media CityDHCCIFZAMeydanDSCDPCDKPDOCDSPD3DIACDCCDubai Maritime CityDWTCGDP
Abu Dhabi
ADGMKEZADMCFZtwofour54ADAFZICADAAIAFZ
Sharjah
SPCSHAMSHFZASAIFSRTIPSHCC
RAK
RAKEZRAK DAO
Ajman
ACMFZAFZAMC
Fujairah
FOIZFCCFFZ
UAQ
UAQIZUAQ FTZ

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