Yes — in almost all cases!
Until 2026, a DIFC Prescribed Company (PC) was only available to applicants who met a "Qualifying Applicant" or "Qualifying Purpose" test. Those tests were removed when the Prescribed Company Regulations were amended, and the current Regulations came into force on 24 July 2026.
There is now no requirement to demonstrate a connection to the UAE through ownership or assets, and no restriction on where you are based.
A DIFC PC is open to any applicant, anywhere in the world, for any holding purpose. What remains are three practical requirements:
Purpose: the company must be a passive holding vehicle. Its commercial licence is restricted to the activity of a holding company, it cannot carry on commercial activities, and it cannot employ staff;
Corporate Service Provider: unless the company is an Exempt PC, it must appoint a Corporate Service Provider such as Clara to incorporate it and handle its filings; and
Registered office: the company must have a registered office in the DIFC. For a non-exempt Prescribed Company this is the registered office of its Corporate Service Provider.
A PC is an Exempt PC where it is controlled by a DIFC Registered Person, an Authorised Firm, a Government Entity or a Publicly Listed Entity. Exempt PCs do not need to appoint a Corporate Service Provider and may use the registered office of an affiliate instead.