The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) announced a package of temporary, proportionate regulatory relief measures to support the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) financial services community during an exceptional operating environment. The framework is intended to assist both firms seeking DFSA authorisation and existing regulated firms by providing time-limited flexibility to help them manage operational challenges while continuing to serve clients and markets. Relief is available across authorisation, licensing and administrative requirements, including flexibility in application and supervisory timelines, as well as governance and staffing arrangements reflecting remote working and evolving staff locations. The package also includes extended timelines for regulatory reporting and supervisory processes, and postponements to implementation timelines for selected regulatory initiatives where this would not undermine regulatory outcomes. The DFSA stated that any relief will be risk-based and calibrated to the nature, scale and complexity of each firm. The DFSA emphasised that regulatory standards and supervisory expectations remain unchanged, with any relief subject to appropriate governance and oversight. It will continue to monitor financial and operational conditions, maintain active supervisory engagement, and review whether additional measures are needed, including support for a return to normal trading conditions.

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