Approvals & Compliance
VARA Virtual Asset Licensing
The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority licenses virtual asset activities across mainland Dubai and its free zones, outside DIFC. We scope your activities against the VARA activity list, prepare business plans, policies and compliance manuals and manage the application and regulator queries, working with your legal and technology advisers.
Fixed fee in your written proposal
Who it is for
Built for your situation.
Dubai VARA licensing for virtual asset service providers.
What is included
Everything handled, end to end.
Activity scoping
Advisory, broker-dealer, custody, exchange, lending, management, transfer and issuance.
Business plan
Plan and financial projections for the regulator.
Policies and manuals
AML, CFT, risk, governance and compliance manuals.
Fit and proper files
Documentation for key individuals.
Application management
Submissions, queries and approval conditions.
Commercial licence
Licence with the relevant licensing authority.
How it works
The process, step by step.
Readiness review
Activities, capital and team assessed.
Documentation
Plan, policies and personnel files.
Submission
Application filed and queries answered.
Approval conditions
Conditions satisfied before full licence.
Operational
Licence issued and compliance calendar set.
Documents you will need
- Shareholder and UBO documents
- Business plan and financial projections
- AML, CFT and risk frameworks
- Technology and cybersecurity overview
- CVs of key individuals
Timeline
Timelines depend on the activities and regulator review. We give a phased timeline in your proposal.
Updates at every stageFees
Fixed fee, quoted in writingGovernment fees are passed through at cost and shown separately on your proposal. Prices as of October 2026 and confirmed in your written proposal.
Questions
VARA Virtual Asset Licensing FAQ.
Still unsure? Ask an advisor and get an answer in writing.
No. Virtual asset activity in DIFC is regulated by the DFSA, and in ADGM by the FSRA.
Yes. We coordinate the commercial licence with the licensing authority alongside the VARA process.
Related services
Often combined with this.
Free consultation
Start your vara virtual asset licensing.
Tell us what you need. An advisor replies within one working day with the route, documents, timeline and a fixed fee.
- Reply within one working day
- Written proposal with every fee shown
- Boulevard Plaza, Downtown Dubai or online
