The United Arab Emirates is rapidly transforming into a global fintech center. According to DIFC, investments in the UAE fintech sector exceeded $615 million in 2022, and the number of active fintech companies grew by 36%. The projections are even more impressive: the MEASA region’s fintech market is set to double from $135.9 billion in 2021 to $266.9 billion by 2027.

Behind these numbers lies a complex regulatory environment with numerous jurisdictions, license types, and compliance requirements. At FinTech-Assist, we’ve helped over 25 fintech companies successfully launch in the UAE. In this guide, we share practical insights and a step-by-step roadmap.

The first and most crucial decision is selecting the right jurisdiction. You have three main options:

Benefits:

• English common law and independent courts
• 0% corporate tax for revenue under AED 375,000
• 100% foreign ownership
• RegLab sandbox program for innovation testing
• Advanced banking infrastructure

Best suited for:

• Payment services and UAE analogs of European EMIs
• Crypto-related projects
• Asset management
• InsurTech

Capital Requirements: From $10,000 to $10M, depending on the license type

Benefits:

• Largest financial center in the region
• Access to an ecosystem of 686+ fintech companies
• FinTech Hive accelerator for startups
• Preferential rates for tech startups (2–4 years)

Best suited for:

• B2B fintech solutions
• Trading platforms
• RegTech & SupTech
• Islamic fintech

Capital Requirements: $50,000 to $2M

Benefits:

• Direct access to the local market
• Ability to operate in dirhams
• Lower operating costs

Best suited for:

• Local payment services
• Money transfers
• Retail financial services

Minimum Capital: AED 15 million for an SVF license

📌 Note: Timelines depend heavily on your readiness and the completeness of your project.

Step 1: Preliminary Preparation

• Define your business model and activities
• Prepare a detailed 3-year business plan
• Assemble your key team members
• Develop AML/KYC policies

💡 Important: 60% of applicants make mistakes at this stage—typically choosing the wrong license type.

Step 2: License Application Submission

• Completed application forms
• Business plan with financial forecasts
• CVs and identity documents of all key persons (including SOF)
• Proof of funds and capital origin
• AML/KYC policies and 30+ governance documents

💡 Pro Tip from FinTech-Assist: Get early professional consultation—it can save months.

Step 3: Due Diligence & Interview Regulators assess:

• Founders’ experience and reputation
• Business model soundness
• Risk management systems
• IT and cybersecurity
• AML/CFT compliance

❗ Common rejection reasons:

• Inexperienced team (35% of refusals)
• Weak AML/KYC (28%)
• Unrealistic business plans (22%)

Step 4: In-Principle Approval After successful due diligence:

• Receive conditional approval
• Get a list of final approval requirements
• Fulfill requirements within specified deadlines

Step 5: Fulfillment & Final Approval Typical requirements:

• Capital deposit
• Hiring key personnel
• Office lease
• IT systems setup
• Corporate bank account opening

1. Banking Access❗Challenge: Many fintechs get rejected at the bank onboarding stage✅ Solution:Engage with banks earlyPrepare enhanced due diligenceConsider EMIs or accounts in alternative jurisdictionsLeverage advisors for regulator communication
2. ❗Challenge: Many fintechs get rejected at the bank onboarding stage
3. ✅ Solution:Engage with banks earlyPrepare enhanced due diligenceConsider EMIs or accounts in alternative jurisdictionsLeverage advisors for regulator communication
4. Engage with banks early
5. Prepare enhanced due diligence
6. Consider EMIs or accounts in alternative jurisdictions
7. Leverage advisors for regulator communication
8. Local Presence RequirementsPlan for 2–3 local hiresBudget for a physical officeAppoint a local compliance officer
9. Plan for 2–3 local hires
10. Budget for a physical office
11. Appoint a local compliance officer
12. Hidden CostsLicense fees: $15,000–50,000Legal: $20,000–80,000Office & staff: from $30,000Audit & compliance: $20,000–40,000
13. License fees: $15,000–50,000
14. Legal: $20,000–80,000
15. Office & staff: from $30,000
16. Audit & compliance: $20,000–40,000

1. Start 6 months in advance Realistic launch timeline: 8–12 months
2. Invest in the right team Former regulators and senior compliance officers boost approval odds
3. Don’t skimp on legal support Strong documents upfront can save $50,000+ and 3–4 months
4. Leverage sandbox programs ADGM RegLab & DIFC Hive allow for relaxed testing environments
5. Plan for scale early UAE licenses open access to GCC markets—build with expansion in mind

Company A (DIY approach):

• Took 8 months
• Re-submitted 3 times
• Total cost: $280,000
• Got a limited license

Company B (with FinTech-Assist):

• Licensed in 3.5 months
• One submission
• Total cost: $120,000
• Got a full license

• Detailed business plan with unit economics
• Experienced team (5+ years in fintech)
• Verified capital source
• Developed IT architecture
• AML/KYC/CFT policies (30+ docs)
• Minimum budget: $200,000
• Commitment to physical presence in the UAE

Article prepared by Fintech-Assist experts.

Meta description: A step-by-step guide to registering a fintech company in the UAE in 2025. Comparison of ADGM, DIFC, and Mainland UAE, license types, capital requirements, and expert tips.