License Application & Variation
Full authorisation packs for DFSA, FSRA, CBUAE, SCA and VARA — regulatory business plans, financial models, controller and authorised-individual applications, and permission variations as your model evolves.
Regulatory & Supervisory Advisory
We provide end-to-end support for financial institutions and DNFBPs seeking authorization or navigating complex supervisory interactions. From initial license application (DFSA, FSRA, CBUAE, VARA) to ongoing regulatory reporting and ad-hoc disclosures, we act as your strategic bridge to the regulator.
Our approach ensures that every submission is legally robust, commercially viable, and aligned with the regulator’s expectations, minimizing the risk of delays, queries, or enforcement actions.
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Core capabilities
What our regulatory advisory covers
Regulatory Remediation Plans
Structured responses to supervisory findings, risk mitigation programmes and skilled-person style reviews, with milestone tracking the regulator can follow.
Supervisory Correspondence Strategy
Drafting, framing and sequencing of every regulator interaction — information requests, notifications, waivers, thematic reviews and on-site inspection preparation.
ICARA & Prudential Reporting
Internal capital and risk assessments, capital adequacy calculations, liquidity monitoring and periodic prudential returns prepared to filing standard.
Cross-Jurisdictional Structuring
Advice on onshore versus free zone establishment, dual licensing, passporting limitations and the regulatory perimeter that applies to each entity in the group.
Regulatory Change Management
Horizon scanning against CBUAE, SCA and VARA amendments, gap analysis of new rulebooks, and implementation plans mapped to your existing controls.
Authorised Individual Support
Preparation and coaching for SEO, Compliance Officer, MLRO and Finance Officer candidates, including regulator interview readiness and role handover files.
Ongoing Reporting & Disclosures
Calendar-driven periodic filings, ad-hoc notifications and outsourced regulatory reporting support so nothing is missed between engagements.
Regulators we engage with
Each authority has its own evidential standard, submission format and supervisory temperament. We prepare to the standard of the regulator reading the file.
DFSA - DIFC
Category 1–5 authorisations, endorsements, and DIFC operating requirements.
FSRA - ADGM
FSP applications, virtual asset frameworks and prudential category mapping.
CBUAE
Exchange houses, finance companies, SVF and payment services licensing.
SCA
Securities activity licensing, fund registration and ongoing market conduct.
VARA
Virtual asset service provider licences, activity conditions and rulebooks.
MOE & free zones
DNFBP registration, goAML obligations and free zone authority requirements.
How a regulatory engagement runs
01
Perimeter assessment
We confirm which activities are regulated, by whom, and under which permission.
02
Submission build
Business plan, financials, policies and governance pack drafted to filing standard.
03
Regulator dialogue
We manage queries, clarifications and interviews through to in-principle approval.
04
Supervisory readiness
Reporting calendars, prudential returns and inspection preparation post-licence.
Who this is for
Banks, exchange houses, payment institutions, asset and fund managers, insurance intermediaries, virtual asset service providers, and DNFBPs including real estate brokers, dealers in precious metals and corporate service providers.
Fewer regulator query cycles and shorter approval timelines
Submissions that are legally robust and commercially viable
A documented trail that withstands supervisory review
Reduced exposure to enforcement action and remediation cost
FAQ
Common questions
What is regulatory and supervisory advisory?
It covers the full lifecycle of a firm’s relationship with its regulator: authorisation and licence variation, prudential and periodic reporting, ad-hoc disclosures, remediation of supervisory findings, and the strategy behind every submission and meeting.
Which UAE regulators does RegLex work with?
We advise on applications and supervisory engagement with the DFSA, FSRA, CBUAE, SCA, VARA and free zone authorities, as well as MOE requirements for DNFBPs.
How long does a UAE licence application take?
Timelines vary by regulator and permission scope, typically three to nine months. Complete regulatory business plans and financial models materially reduce query cycles and delays.
What is ICARA reporting?
The Internal Capital Adequacy and Risk Assessment process documents capital and liquidity adequacy against your risk profile. We build the methodology, stress scenarios and board-approved documentation.