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.

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