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Exclusive Single Family Office Services in Dubai for High Net Worth Individuals
Dedicated support for high net worth individuals to structure, protect, and grow their wealth in one of the world’s leading financial hubs.
Who We’ve Worked With
Bespoke Single Family Office Solutions for High Net Worth Individuals
A Single Family Office (SFO) in Dubai helps families manage their wealth, investments, governance, and lifestyle needs under one structure with complete confidentiality. Formed as an FZE, FZCO, or LLC, it serves as a service entity, not an asset holder, fully owned by lineal descendants. Dubai’s clear regulations, tax benefits, and robust infrastructure make it an ideal location for establishing an SFO.
Setting up a Single Family Office in the UAE
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
- A dedicated financial hub with its own regulator and legal framework.
- You can obtain an SFO commercial licence without extra DFSA approvals.
- Offers services like wealth and asset management, concierge support, plus legal, accounting or advisory work for one family.
- Requires at least $50 million in net assets, which may sit in the office itself or in trusts, foundations or holding companies.
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
- A business-friendly free zone located next to the DIFC.
- Minimum of AED 500,000 in liquid assets must be proven.
- Permits the same single-family services—wealth, asset, concierge, legal, accounting or consulting.
- Allows multi-family offices, 100% foreign ownership and free-zone person tax status.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
- A top free zone for commodities and enterprise.
- Provides identical single-family offerings: wealth, asset and lifestyle services, plus legal or consulting support.
- Net assets of at least $1 million must be held within the office, related trusts, foundations or company vehicles.
- Grants 100% foreign ownership and qualifying free-zone tax benefits.
Requirements for Setting Up a Single Family Office in Dubai
Jurisdiction & Entity Type
Choose a free zone such as DIFC, DMCC, or DWTC; register as an FZE, FZCO, or equivalent based on the zone’s regulations.
Licensing
Obtain a professional services licence covering trust, asset, and governance services for one family; DIFC requires no DFSA approval.
Ownership Structure
100% ownership must remain within one family, with equity held only by lineal descendants.
Jurisdiction & Entity Type
Choose a free zone such as DIFC, DMCC, or DWTC; register as an FZE, FZCO, or equivalent based on the zone’s regulations.
Licensing
Obtain a professional services licence covering trust, asset, and governance services for one family; DIFC requires no DFSA approval.
Ownership Structure
100% ownership must remain within one family, with equity held only by lineal descendants.
Minimum Asset Requirements
Asset thresholds vary: DIFC requires USD 50M, DMCC USD 1M, and DWTC AED 500K in liquid assets.
Governance Framework
Establish a family charter, define roles, reporting structures, and implement risk oversight practices.
Regulatory Compliance
Meet “fit and proper” checks, follow AML/KYC norms, and register for VAT if applicable.
Minimum Asset Requirements
Asset thresholds vary: DIFC requires USD 50M, DMCC USD 1M, and DWTC AED 500K in liquid assets.
Governance Framework
Establish a family charter, define roles, reporting structures, and implement risk oversight practices.
Regulatory Compliance
Meet “fit and proper” checks, follow AML/KYC norms, and register for VAT if applicable.
Benefits of Set Up a Single Family Office in Dubai
Centralized Wealth Management
Consolidates the management of personal and business assets under one structure for better coordination.
Long-Term Planning
Supports multigenerational wealth preservation with decisions aligned to future family goals and legacy.
Customized Family Governance
Enables the creation of a family charter and structured decision-making based on the founder’s vision.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Ensures discreet handling of family matters, financial affairs, and personal data.
Tailored Services
Delivers bespoke solutions designed specifically around the family’s needs, values, and lifestyle.
Continuity and Succession
Facilitates seamless transfer of wealth, leadership, and values across generations.
Risk and Compliance Oversight
Provides a focused approach to risk management, regulatory compliance, and legal responsibilities.
Access to External Expertise
Allows collaboration with trusted legal, tax, and fiduciary advisors as third-party service providers.
Why Choose IMC for Single Family Offices in Dubai?
Specialized Setup Expertise
IMC has deep experience in establishing Single Family Offices across DIFC, DMCC, and other UAE zones, ensuring regulatory compliance from day one.
End-to-End Advisory Support
From legal structuring and licensing to governance and asset protection, we handle every aspect of your SFO journey under one roof.
Confidential & Secure Handling
We prioritize your family’s privacy with discreet processes and secure systems that protect sensitive financial and personal data.
Specialized Setup Expertise
IMC has deep experience in establishing Single Family Offices across DIFC, DMCC, and other UAE zones, ensuring regulatory compliance from day one.
End-to-End Advisory Support
From legal structuring and licensing to governance and asset protection, we handle every aspect of your SFO journey under one roof.
Confidential & Secure Handling
We prioritize your family’s privacy with discreet processes and secure systems that protect sensitive financial and personal data.
Tailored Solutions for Your Family
Every family is unique, so we design governance frameworks, reporting structures, and services aligned with your values and long-term goals.
Access to Trusted Specialists
Leverage our strong network of legal, tax, investment, and fiduciary professionals to support every function of your SFO.
Post-Setup Support & Compliance
We provide ongoing assistance with audits, regulatory filings, banking, VAT, and KYC, ensuring your SFO remains efficient and fully compliant.
Tailored Solutions for Your Family
Every family is unique, so we design governance frameworks, reporting structures, and services aligned with your values and long-term goals.
Access to Trusted Specialists
Leverage our strong network of legal, tax, investment, and fiduciary professionals to support every function of your SFO.
Post-Setup Support & Compliance
We provide ongoing assistance with audits, regulatory filings, banking, VAT, and KYC, ensuring your SFO remains efficient and fully compliant.
Your Vision, Our Mission. Let's Discuss
FAQs
If your goal is to manage just your own family’s wealth and assets, opt for a Single Family Office. If you plan to extend services to several families, you’ll need a Multi Family Office—with the extra DFSA licence that entails.
Yes. In the DIFC, a family office may offer asset management and related financial services solely for one family without DFSA approval. Serving multiple families, however, would require the appropriate DFSA authorization.
Yes. In the DIFC, you can switch between a Single Family Office and a Multi-Family Office, provided you follow the applicable rules and satisfy the licence conditions.
DIFC’s common-law legal framework, strong regulation and tax perks make it a go-to for families with cross-border investments and complex holdings. Its global reach and certainty of rules suit international families perfectly.
Yes. family offices can also set up in ADGM, DMCC or DWTC, each with its own advantages. While DIFC is often preferred by ultra-wealthy families, these free zones can suit different requirements.
Depending on the free zone, you’ll need anywhere from AED 500,000 (DWTC) to USD 50 million (DIFC) in approved net assets.
Compare capital thresholds, licence scope, and regulator requirements in DIFC, DMCC, DWTC or ADGM to match your family’s priorities.
No. All equity must reside with lineal descendants of the founding family.
Apply for a professional services licence that allows trusts, legal advice, asset and wealth management under one roof.
After documentation and “fit-and-proper” checks, approval typically takes 4–8 weeks, varying by jurisdiction.
Yes. Each zone mandates a physical or flex-desk presence to validate your licence.
You’ll need a family charter or operating manual, board terms of reference and regular reporting schedules.
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