SUPERVISION AND AUTHORISATION FEES UNDER VARA
Know your numbers upfront: one-time Licence Application + Extension fees at submission, and Annual Supervision fees per activity before you operate — with VARA discretion to adjust based on your risk profile.
We map your activities, calculate all VARA fees, and build a CFO-friendly budgeting model (application timing, annual supervision, and discretionary uplifts).
AT-A-GLANCE FEE TABLE (BY VA ACTIVITY)
From the table on page 1 of Schedule 2. “Licence Extension Fee” = 50% of the lower Licence Application Fee(s) for each additional activity in the same application. Annual Supervision is per activity.
|
VA Activity |
Licence Application Fee |
Licence Extension Fee (each additional activity) |
Annual Supervision Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Advisory Services |
AED 40,000 |
50% of the lower Application Fee(s) |
AED 80,000 |
|
Broker-Dealer Services |
AED 100,000 |
↓ |
AED 200,000 |
|
Custody Services |
AED 100,000 |
↓ |
AED 200,000 |
|
Exchange Services |
AED 100,000 |
↓ |
AED 200,000 |
|
Lending & Borrowing Services |
AED 100,000 |
↓ |
AED 200,000 |
|
VA Management & Investment Services |
AED 100,000 |
↓ |
AED 200,000 |
|
VA Transfer & Settlement Services |
AED 40,000 |
↓ |
AED 80,000 |
|
Category 1 VA Issuance |
AED 100,000 |
↓ |
AED 200,000 |
When fees are due: Application/Extension fees are paid at submission (applications are not processed until paid). Annual Supervision Fee must be paid in advance for each Licensed activity.
How the “Licence Extension Fee” works (simple rules + examples)
- Rule: For each additional activity in the same application, pay 50% of the lower relevant Licence Application Fee(s).
- Example A — Exchange + Custody (same application):
Application = AED 100k (Exchange) + Extension = 50% × 100k = AED 50k (Custody). Annual = 200k + 200k = AED 400k. - Example B — Add TSS to Exchange:
Application = AED 100k (Exchange) + Extension for TSS = 50% × 40k = AED 20k. Annual = 200k + 80k = AED 280k.
Note: If you sequence applications separately, each submission has its own Application/Extension logic at time of filing. We typically model both single-bundle and staggered filing scenarios for clients.
VARA’S DISCRETION TO ADJUST FEES (RISK-BASED UPLIFT)
VARA may impose additional supervision fees or modify fees based on your risk profile, considering: market share, target market/client base, product/business complexity, compliance track record, and situations requiring extra supervisory resources (including complaints).
Issuers (Category 1): additional application fees
VARA may charge a fee for Issuer approval and/or Whitepaper submissions. We budget this alongside Issuance-rulebook costs.
Other authorities’ fees
VARA fees are separate from any other competent authority’s fees inside or outside the UAE. Plan for additional free-zone/central-bank, audit, or corporate-services costs as applicable.
What CRYPTOVERSE Legal delivers
Filing strategy & fee optimisation
Filing strategy & fee optimisation: single-bundle vs staged filings; Extension-fee minimisation scenarios
Budget model
Budget model: Application/Extension timing, Annual Supervision per activity, risk-based uplift contingencies.
Governance & evidence pack
Governance & evidence pack: payment proofs, ledger tags, and renewal calendar tied to operational go-live.
FAQs
Before conducting each Licensed activity — in advance.
For each additional activity in that submission, the Extension Fee = 50% of the lower Application Fee(s).
Yes. VARA can increase or modify fees based on your risk profile and supervisory needs.
VARA may charge a fee for Issuer approvals/Whitepaper submissions.