Glossary / Free Zone
Free Zone

DIFC

Dubai International Financial Centre — an independent free zone with its own English common-law courts, employment law, and regulator (DFSA).

What is DIFC?

The Dubai International Financial Centre is a financial free zone established in 2004, with its own legal system based on English common law, its own courts (DIFC Courts), and its own financial regulator (DFSA).

Why it matters for hiring

  • Employment law: DIFC Employment Law No. 2 of 2019 governs contracts, gratuity, and dismissal — NOT UAE Federal Labour Law.
  • Visas: issued by DIFC Government Services, separate from MOHRE.
  • End-of-service: DIFC replaced traditional gratuity with the DEWS scheme (mandatory workplace savings) in 2020.
  • Emiratisation: DIFC-registered companies are NOT subject to MOHRE Emiratisation quotas, but many opt-in for talent and PR reasons.

Sources

  • · difc.ae
  • · DIFC Employment Law No. 2 of 2019

Related terms

MOHRE
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation — the federal body that regulates private-sector labour, work permits and Emiratisation compliance.
ADGM
Abu Dhabi Global Market — an independent financial free zone on Al Maryah Island with English common law and its own employment regulations.
End-of-Service Gratuity
A statutory lump sum paid to employees on termination in the UAE, calculated on basic salary and years of service.
DEWS
DIFC Employee Workplace Savings — mandatory employer-funded savings plan that replaced end-of-service gratuity in DIFC in 2020.

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