DIFC prescribed company regulations amended to broaden access and strengthen CSP oversight

On 24 July 2026, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) brought into force the amended Prescribed Company Regulations (Consolidated Version No. 5) (the Amended Regulations). The Amended Regulations represent the most significant overhaul of the DIFC Prescribed Company (PC) regime since its introduction in 2019, opening the regime to a global base of applicants while placing greater compliance responsibility on Corporate Service Providers (CSPs). Key changes include removal of qualifying requirements — under the previous regime, an applicant had to demonstrate control by a GCC Person, a Registered Person or an Authorised Firm, or that the PC was established for a defined 'Qualifying Purpose' (such as an Aviation Structure, Maritime Structure, Intellectual Property Structure, Crowdfunding Structure or Structured Financing).