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DIFC's process starts before any drawings are submitted — a pre-application meeting with your building's Facilities Management team confirms building-specific requirements, since these can vary by tower. From there, approval moves through the Client Portal, a security deposit, a Work Permit and Access Pass for your contractor, and inspections both before and during works.

Application procedure

  1. Pre-application meeting. Meet with the building's Facilities Management team to confirm building-specific requirements.
  2. Register in the DIFC Client Portal. Requires a valid lease plus a Pre-Fit-out/Entry NOC before you can proceed.
  3. Submit online. Complete the application form, pay the application fee, and upload drawings and supporting documents.
  4. Design approval. Concept/design drawings are approved first, followed by shell-and-core and general-works submissions as applicable.
  5. Pay the fit-out security deposit. A refundable deposit, paid by cheque to DIFC Investments LLC, is required before works begin.
  6. Work Permit and Access Pass issued. Once design is approved, your contractor receives a Work Permit and site Access Pass.
  7. Site inspections. DIFC inspects before works start, and may carry out unannounced inspections during works.
  8. Final inspection and completion. Request a final inspection on completion; DEWA and Dubai Civil Defence approvals are also obtained. The Fit-out Completion Certificate follows, and the deposit refund can then be requested.

Documents required

  • Fit-out & HSE checklist
  • Signed Tenant/Contractor terms
  • Lease agreement extract
  • Contractor trade licence and DIFC ID cards
  • Building management NOC
  • DEWA and Dubai Civil Defence approvals
  • Insurance certificates (Contractors' All Risk and Workmen's Compensation)
  • Program of works with milestones, and a common-area condition report with photos
  • Full drawing set — partition, flooring, furniture, MEP, fire alarm/fighting, lighting and power layouts

Fees & payments

DIFC does not publish exact fee figures publicly — a Schedule of Fees is accessible through the Client Portal once you apply. A refundable fit-out security deposit (paid by cheque to DIFC Investments LLC) is mandatory before works start, in addition to separate application/NOC fees per submission type.

Note: Contact DIFC Tenant Relations or check the Client Portal for current fee and deposit amounts before budgeting.

How SMB Design & Build helps

Our approvals team is in-house — the same people preparing your design and MEP drawings submit and follow up directly with DIFC. We manage this alongside every other authority your project touches, so nothing falls between two consultants. See the full Authority Approval overview, or read our complete approvals guide for how these authorities interact on a typical project.

Official resource: DIFC — Tenant Relations