Dubai – 03 August 2026
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has introduced amendments to its Prescribed Company (PC) Regulations, broadening access to its special purpose vehicle (SPV) regime and simplifying the framework for holding and structuring entities.
The revised regulations remove the previous eligibility requirements, allowing a wider range of applicants to establish Prescribed Companies within DIFC. In most cases, applicants will be required to appoint a DIFC-licensed Corporate Services Provider (CSP), which will act as the principal administrative and compliance contact with the Registrar of Companies.
The changes are intended to make the regime more accessible while maintaining regulatory oversight through the CSP framework.
Jacques Visser, Chief Legal Officer at DIFC Authority, said the amendments reflected DIFC’s commitment to maintaining a responsive and business-friendly legal framework.
“The updated Prescribed Company Regulations broaden access to holding company and structuring vehicles for legitimate purposes, while requiring the appointment of a DIFC-licensed Corporate Services Provider in most cases to support effective compliance oversight and regulatory engagement in line with DIFC’s standards of transparency, governance and regulatory integrity,” he said.
The updated framework also formalises the role of Corporate Services Providers, making them responsible for statutory filings, record-keeping and ongoing compliance obligations, as well as acting as the primary liaison with the Registrar of Companies.
The regulations continue to restrict Prescribed Companies to passive holding and structuring activities. They are not permitted to employ staff or undertake operational business activities, although they may be used in connection with financial services where these are carried out in accordance with legislation administered by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
According to DIFC, the revised regime is expected to appeal to family offices, investment holding companies, financing structures and other ownership vehicles seeking a flexible and cost-effective legal structure.
The amendments came into force on 24 July 2026 and are available through the DIFC Legal Database
