QFCRA
  • Home
  • About Us
    • The QFC and the QFC Regulatory Authority
    • QFC Affiliated Organisations
    • QFC Regulatory Authority Structure
    • Qatar’s Strategy for Financial Regulation
    • The Financial Stability and Risk Control Committee
    • Board Governance
    • Board of Directors
    • The Executive Team
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Contact Us
    • Whistleblowing
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Regulatory Objectives
    • Supervision and Authorisation
      • Our Risk-Based Approach to Regulation
      • Authorisation
      • Macroprudential Analysis
      • Supervision
    • Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism
      • AML Law and Legislation
      • AML/CFT Regulatory Framework
      • AML/CFT Publications
      • AML/CFT Forms
      • National and International AML/CFT Bodies
      • United Nations Security Council Matters
      • Suspicious Transaction Reports
    • Policy
    • Enforcement
    • International Co-operation
      • Multilateral Agreements
      • Bilateral Agreements
      • Alternative Investment Fund Management MoUs
      • Strategic Partnerships
      • National and International AML/CFT Bodies
  • Legislation
    • QFC Regulatory Authority Rules
    • QFC Regulatory Authority Rules for Business Sectors
    • AML Law and Legislation
      • AML/CFT Regulatory Framework
      • AML/CFT Forms
      • United Nations Security Council Matters
      • Suspicious Transaction Reports
  • HOW TO APPLY
    • The Application Process
    • Permitted Activities
      • Regulated Activities
      • Non-Regulated Activities
    • Corporate Governance
    • Application Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • E-submission
  • CONSUMER PROTECTION
    • Investment Considerations
    • Educational Material
    • Consumer Alert Bulletin
    • Customer Dispute Resolution Scheme
      • How to Make Your Complaint
      • Independent Adjudication
      • Summary of CDRS Outcomes
      • CDRS Case Studies
  • CAREERS
    • Open Positions
    • Recruitment
    • Enriching Careers at the QFC Regulatory Authority
      • All About Al Masar
      • Programmes for Professionals
      • Other Enrichment Programmes
  • Search
  • العربية
  • English
  • Menu
THE APPLICATION PROCESS

An entity looking to set up in the Qatar Financial Centre needs an assessment as to whether their activities fall within the Regulated Activities in the Financial Services Regulations (essentially conducting financial services activities such as banking, insurance, investment management, or advising). Firms that would conduct Regulated Activities would need a license from the QFC Authority (“QFCA”) as well as an authorisation from the QFC Regulatory Authority (“QFCRA”). However, if the firm will not be conducting Regulated Activities then it only needs a license from the QFCA — an authorisation from the Regulator is not needed.

For an assessment you should in the first instance contact the QFCA for the assessment of your proposed activities:

Application Process | Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)

If the applicant might be conducting Regulated Activities, the QFCA will refer you to their Financial Sector Office (FSO) for the assessment. They will meet with the applicant, decide if what they intend to do would be considered Regulated Activities, and liaise with the QFCRA.

The QFCA will provide the applicant with a Regulatory Business Plan (RBP) document for the applicant to complete and submit to the FSO. The FSO will review it for completeness and will sometimes go back to the applicant for more details. Once the FSO is satisfied the document is suitable it will be shared with the QFCRA for review. The review is necessary as some activities are not allowed in the QFC (for example, retail banking), or other issues that may cause a significant change to the applicant’s plan. If everything is deemed suitable then the applicant can proceed to the formal application stage.

A formal application requires the submission of a Q02 form, Q03 forms for each person that will be performing a Controlled Function, procedure manuals and other documentation to the QFCRA, in the meantime, they will also submit a CRO form to the QFCA for licensing.

The QFCRA will review the submission. If the application is materially complete an invoice for our fees will be sent to the applicant. Even though an application may be materially complete there will likely be a number of questions or clarifications that the QFCRA will require.

Usually, there will be a list of post-authorisation items that a firm will be required to do after the QFCRA provides an authorisation (for example have the staff in place, office prepared, update certain manuals, etc.) before the firm will be allowed to become operational. This will be agreed with the applicant before the authorisation recommendation is submitted to the QFCRA’s management for review.

If the Authorisation is approved, then the QFCRA’s Public Register is updated to include the firm, a copy of its Scope of Authorisation, and information on every individual approved for a Controlled Function. It will note that a firm is “Authorised – not yet commenced Regulated Activities”. The firm must complete the post-authorisation items agreed as part of the Authorisation process, once completed the firm’s status will be changed to “Authorised” and can commence Regulated Activities.

For more information please contact us:

Phone: +974 4495 6888

email:  info@qfcra.com

Applying for Authorisation to Conduct Regulated Activities

QFC Approach to the Authorisation of Branches

  • The Application Process
  • Permitted Activities
  • Corporate Governance
  • Application Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • E-submission
qfcra-logo
©2022 Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authoritycherry.qa

Contact Us

  • Level 14, QFC Tower 1
    P.O. Box 22989, Doha, Qatar
  • +974 44 95 68 88
  • +974 44 95 68 68
  • info@qfcra.com

Quick Links

  • FAQ
  • Privacy Notice
  • Legal Notice
  • Website Accessibility
  • RA Webmail
  • Amiri Diwan
Scroll to top
We use cookies on our website. By clicking “Accept All cookies”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to select other cookie-related options. You can read more about our use of cookies by clicking on the link. Cookies Notice
Cookies SettingsAccept all cookiesReject All
Manage Cookies

Privacy Overview

This website uses two types of cookies – strictly necessary, which are essential for the basic functionalities of the website, and performance/analytical, which are necessary to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Please decide if you would like to consent to performance/analytical cookies by moving the slider below.
Strictly Necessary
Always Enabled
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms or where they are essential to provide you with a service you have requested. You cannot opt out of these cookies. You can set your browser to block or disable these cookies, but if you do so, some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
Performance/ Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies collect information on metrics, the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. For more information click here
SAVE & ACCEPT
Skip to content
Open toolbar

Accessibility Tools

  • Increase Text
  • Decrease Text
  • Grayscale
  • High Contrast
  • Negative Contrast
  • Light Background
  • Links Underline
  • Readable Font
  • Reset