Notifications
Notification to the Commissioner of Data Protection
In accordance with the DP Law 2020 and Regulations, DIFC entities must notify the Commissioner of Data Protection ("Commissioner") when processing Personal Data ("PD"). Failure by entities to notify the Commissioner may result in enforcement action including investigations or fines in respect of the contravention as prescribed in Schedule 2 of the DP Law 2020. The data protection notification to the Commissioner has to be submitted through the DIFC Client Portal and incurs fees based on entity type. Please see the fee table below for assistance.
-- Notification assessment tool – Do I need to notify the Commissioner that I process PD?
Please use this tool to help you understand whether or not your entity should notify its processing operations to the DIFC Commissioner of Data Protection.
Notification Process
DIFC-registered entities are required to submit a data protection notification as per the processes below:
--New Entities
The data protection notification is part of the registration/incorporation service request. Note that the DIFC Client Portal will not allow the user to submit the registration/incorporation service request without finalising the data protection notification section of the onboarding form.
Notification is completed in 2 steps: initial notification followed by a service request that must be completed with 6 months of licensing. If you notify that the entity does not process PD, a service request will be created to justify this assessment before you may proceed. Please see guidance regarding notifications for assistance.
--Duty to Notify Changes
If at any time during the year there are any changes to the registrable particulars, entities must submit update the notification to the Commissioner through the DIFC Client Portal using the service request "Data Protection Notification".
Please note that in accordance with the DIFC Data Protection Regulations 2020, all changes to processing (i.e., beginning processing operations, different processing operations involving other types of data or locations, etc.) must be notified to the Commissioner via an update outlined above within 14 days of commencing such processing.
--Data Protection Notification Renewal
The data protection notification renewal is part of the license renewal service request. Prior to submitting the license renewal service request, the user must first confirm if there are any changes to the registrable data protection particulars notified in the manner described previously. Only DIFC registered entities can notify the Commissioner through the DIFC portal, however a webform is available below that will allow a non-DIFC entity to voluntarily notify the Commissioner that it is processing DIFC Personal Data.
--Voluntary Notification
Even if your entity is not registered with a DIFC Commercial License or other DIFC-registered permission, you may voluntarily notify the Commissioner of your DP operations involving the processing of DIFC-related personal data. Please use below form to notify us accordingly. Voluntary notification is not mandatory and is free of charge for non-DIFC entities wishing to do so.
Voluntary Notification by Non-DIFC Entities
Processing Ops Notification Fees
All applicable fees for notifying the Commissioner of Personal Data Processing operations must be paid in respect of matters set out in the Data Protection Regulations. Fees should be paid at the time that the relevant notification forms are submitted via the DIFC Client Portal. No request for action will be considered duly made until the relevant fee is received.
Payment method:
- Cash
- Cheque
- Credit Card
Cash, cheque, copy of remittance advice or credit card authorisation form is to be submitted to the office of the Commissioner of Data Protection at the DIFC offices in person, by courier or by mail, at the following address: Level 14, The Gate, DIFC, P. O. Box 74777, Dubai, UAE.
Please note, if submitting payment by cheque, cash or credit card in UAE Dirhams, the applicable exchange rate is US$1=AED3.675. Cheques should be made payable to: DIFCA - Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
--Fees Table
| Category | Type of Entity |
| I | Regulated Entities Authorised Firms Authorised Ancillary Service Providers Authorised Market Institutions Credit Bureaus |
| II | Non-Regulated Entities |
| III | Retail |
| Upon Receipt By The Commissioner Of Data Protection of: | Category I | Category II | Category III |
| Registration(Notification) | $1,250 | $750 | $250 |
| Annual renewal of the registration | $500 | $250 | $100 |
| Amendments to the registrable particulars of the notification | $100 | $50 | $10 |
| Notification to inform the Commissioner of Data Protection of not Processing Personal Data | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Amendments to contact details | Nil | Nil | Nil |
- Category I includes entities regulated by the DFSA
- Category II includes DFSA non-regulated entities, except retail; and
- Category III includes retail entities.