Dubai, UAE, 3 August 2026: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, today announcesupdates to the Prescribed Company (PC) Regulations, which are designed to broaden the use of PCs, DIFC’s equivalent of Special Purpose Vehicles or SPVs.
The updated PC Regulations significantly expand and simplify the existing PC regime, enhancing DIFC’s offering as a jurisdiction for efficient holding and structuring vehicles, while maintaining a proportionate approach to governance and regulatory oversight.
Jacques Visser, Chief Legal Officer at DIFC Authority, said: “The updated Prescribed Company Regulations demonstrate DIFC’s continued commitment to a responsive, flexible and business‑friendly legal framework. The enhanced regimebroadens access to holding company and structuring special purpose vehicles for legitimate purposes, while requiring the appointment of a DIFC licensed Corporate Services Provider (CSP)in most instances to support effective compliance oversight and regulatory engagement in line with DIFC’s high standards of transparency, governance and regulatory integrity.”
Expanded Access to the Regime
The updated PC Regulations expand access by removing previous qualifying requirements and is open to any applicant. Unless exempt, any person can apply to establish or continue a PC in DIFC provided they use a DIFClicensed Corporate Services Provider (CSP) as the primary administrative and compliance interface with the DIFC Registrar of Companies (RoC).
These changes materially increase access to DIFC’s special purpose vehicle regime and enable a far wider base of applicants to utilise DIFC’s first class legal regime for legitimate holding and structuring purposes, while maintaining appropriate safeguards through proportionate regulatory oversight.
Key Features of the Updated Regime
Key features of the updated PC Regulations include the removal of qualifying eligibility criteria, allowing PCs to be established by any applicant, subject to the CSP requirement where applicable. The Regulations reaffirm that a PC must remain a passive holding vehicle, to be used only for its permitted holding or structuring purposes, and may be used in connection with the conduct of Financial Services – provided this is done in compliance with DFSA-administered legislation. PCs are not permitted to employ staff, ensuring they remain non‑operational in nature.
The regime introduces a formal statutory role for CSPs, who act as the administrative, compliance and regulatory liaison between the PC and the RoC, including responsibility for filings, record‑keeping and ongoing compliance. Together, these features balance ease of establishment and expanded access with DIFC’s standards of legal certainty, transparency and regulatory integrity.
The updated Prescribed Company Regulations will be of particular interest to family groups, investment holding structures, financing transactions and other ownership or structuring arrangements seeking a cost‑effective and flexible DIFC vehicle, supported by a broadened and proportionate, compliance‑led regime.
The updated PC Regulations were enacted on 24 July 2026.The Regulations are available on DIFC’s Legal Database, accessible at:
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About Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the world’s most advanced financial centre, shaping the global financial landscape and cementing Dubai’s reputation as a leading business destination across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA).
As the region’s only financial centre operating at scale across all sectors, DIFC is home to 10,018 active firms. These include 1,134 regulated firms, among them are 327 banks and capital markets firms, 71 brokerage entities, 165 insurance and (re)insurance companies and 592 Wealth and Asset Management firms (including over 100 hedge fund managers). Home to 1,933 AI, FinTech and innovation firms, DIFC sets the benchmark for financial innovation and is a top five ranked FinTech hub across the world.
Underpinned by a trusted, world-class legal and regulatory framework, including the region’s most utilised commercial courts, DIFC ensures efficient governance and reinforces Dubai’s leadership in the digital economy. Connecting 50,200 professionals, it offers the region’s deepest pool of financial talent, serving as the gateway to MEASA for all financial players.
Beyond business, DIFC provides the complete urban experience with world-class lifestyle amenities, establishing it as a highly sought-after destination. The 17.7mn sq. ft. DIFC Zabeel District expansion which provides capacity for over 42,000 companies and a workforce of more than 125,000, DIFC is solidifying Dubai’s position as a top four global financial centre. The new District will also include premium Grade A commercial office space, over 1mn sq.ft. allocated to future technologies including the world’s largest Innovation Hub and world’s first purpose-built AI Campus, an expanded academy, residential buildings, hotels, a conference centre, and a range of retail, dining, and cultural offerings, including the Museum of Digital Art, the region’s first museum dedicated to digital art and new technologies.
Anchored in integrity, DIFC is the platform for success, driving the future of finance.
For further information, please visit our website: difc.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X @DIFC.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Burson | DIFC@bursonglobal.com
Rasha Mezher | Dubai International Financial Centre Authority
Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications
+9714 3622451
rasha.mezher@difc.ae
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