Fund Management Licensing
License a regulated fund manager across the UAE and Cayman - from regulatory strategy to authorised launch.
The right licence for your fund, not a template
A fund licence is several decisions at once: which regulator fits your strategy, how much regulatory capital you must hold, which fund categories you can run, and how long authorisation takes. Choose the wrong jurisdiction and you lose months, plus capital you never needed to commit.
We license regulated fund managers across DIFC (DFSA), ADGM (FSRA), the UAE mainland (SCA, now the CMA), and the Cayman Islands (CIMA). We run the full path: manager qualification, regulatory-capital planning, PPM and offering documents, and authorisation through to launch. Where it fits, we pair an onshore manager with an offshore fund vehicle so the structure matches how you raise and deploy.
| Jurisdiction | Indicative base capital | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIFC (DFSA) | From US$70,000 (Exempt Funds / QIFs); US$140,000 for public or credit funds | ~4–6 months | Institutional and global managers who want DIFC common-law courts and a recognised regulator |
| ADGM (FSRA) | From US$50,000 (Exempt-Fund / QIF managers) up to US$250,000 standard | ~4–6 months | Venture-capital and private-equity managers (ADGM runs a dedicated VC framework) |
| UAE Mainland (SCA / CMA) | From AED 1,000,000 (≈ US$272,000) | ~6–12 months | Managers raising from and selling to onshore UAE investors |
| Cayman (CIMA) | No manager-capital minimum; registered funds need US$100,000 minimum investment per investor | Registered fund ~5 business days; licensed fund ~4–6 weeks | An offshore fund vehicle, often paired with a DIFC or ADGM manager |
Indicative base requirements as of 2026; the figure that applies to you depends on your licence category and activities. The SCA became the UAE Capital Markets Authority (CMA) in January 2026 and the current capital figures still apply. We confirm your exact requirement before you commit.
Choose your fund jurisdiction
DFSA
DIFC fund management licensing under DFSA - qualified investor and exempt fund pathways.
ADGM (FSRA)
ADGM fund licensing under FSRA - domestic and foreign fund manager regimes.
SCA
UAE Mainland fund licensing with the Securities and Commodities Authority.
Cayman
Cayman fund registration under CIMA - mutual, private, and master fund structures.
Fund licensing questions
- How much capital do I need for a UAE fund management licence?
- It depends on the regulator and your fund category. A DFSA fund manager starts at US$70,000 of base capital for Exempt Funds and Qualified Investor Funds, or US$140,000 for public or credit funds. ADGM (FSRA) ranges from US$50,000 for Exempt-Fund-only managers to US$250,000 standard. The UAE mainland (SCA, now the CMA) sets a minimum of AED 1,000,000. Cayman sets no manager-capital minimum. We confirm the exact figure for your strategy before you commit.
- DFSA, ADGM, SCA or Cayman — which jurisdiction fits my fund?
- It comes down to who your investors are and how you raise. DIFC (DFSA) and ADGM (FSRA) suit global and institutional managers, and ADGM has a dedicated venture-capital framework. The UAE mainland (SCA/CMA) fits managers selling to onshore UAE investors. Cayman works as the fund vehicle, often paired with a UAE manager. We map your investor base and strategy to the right regulator on the first call.
- How long does fund manager authorisation take?
- Plan for about 4 to 6 months in DIFC or ADGM, and 6 to 12 months on the UAE mainland. A Cayman registered fund can be live in around 5 business days, and a licensed fund in 4 to 6 weeks. The timeline depends on how complete your application and documents are when you file.
- Can I run a fund without holding my own DFSA or ADGM licence?
- Yes. You can operate under a licensed host platform, or pair a Cayman fund vehicle with a separate manager. We advise on whether a full licence, a host arrangement, or an offshore structure fits your stage and budget.
- What does Ancova handle in a fund licensing engagement?
- We run the full path: choosing the regulator, planning regulatory capital, qualifying the manager and key individuals, drafting the PPM and offering documents, and steering authorisation through to an approved launch. You work with one team across every jurisdiction instead of separate providers in each.
We do not sell packages or quote a price before we understand your fund. Every structure is built around your strategy, your investors, and your timeline. That starts with a free strategy call.
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