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Sanctions, PEP and adverse-media screening

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Dubai
DMCCDIFCJAFZADAFZADSODWCDICDMCDHCCIFZAMeydanDSCDPCDKPDOCDSPD3DIACDCCDMCDWTCGDP
Abu Dhabi
ADGMKEZADMCFZ2454ADAFZICADAAIAFZ
Sharjah
SPCSHAMSHFZASAIFSRTIPSHCC
RAK
RAKEZRAK DAORAKEZ
Ajman
ACMFZAFZAMC
Fujairah
FOIZFCCFFZ
UAQ
UAQIZUAQ FTZ

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Other free zones in Dubai

  • Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)
  • Dubai Auto Zone (DUCAMZ) (DUCAMZ)
  • Dubai CommerCity (DCC)
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  • Dubai Flower Centre (DFC)
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  • Dubai Maritime City (DMC)
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Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)Free zone tax status and compliance

Dubai

DIFC Authority

The Verdict

Elite Financial Jurisdiction; The Gold Standard of Forensic Ease.

I. Statutory Basis

As a Qualifying Free Zone Person, this jurisdiction requires strict adherence toCore Income-Generating Activities.DIFC is a highly regulated jurisdiction where coordinating with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) requires a dual-layered compliance approach. Article 18 QFZP status is contingent on maintaining world-class transparency and data residency standards.

Compliance Roadmap

01

Rigorous alignment with DFSA 'Conduct of Business' modules to justify qualifying activity

02

Detailed Article 31 (Interest Deduction Limitation) monitoring for highly leveraged HQs

03

Verified Data Residency on DIFC-approved sovereign nodes to ensure audit admissibility

Audit Hotspots

Incorrect classification of 'Financial Services' under Cabinet Decision No. 55

Failure to reconcile DFSA regulatory filings with FTA tax returns

Jurisdictional Connectivity

Check your DIFC setup

Scout scores Dubai International Financial Centre against your activity, ownership and visa needs, with full setup costs, and compares it with every other free zone and mainland.

See costs and setup options
Global Parent

15%

DIFC

0%

Live Node
Dubai Mainland

9%

Forensic Brief

Qualifying Income requires physical CIGA within the zone boundaries. Article 18 mapping is mandatory to maintain 0% status.