Fund manager licence (Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM))
The Financial Services Permission for Managing a Collective Investment Fund (Category 3C) is issued by Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) under FSRA Fund Rulebook (FUNDS). The official register lists 158 current holders. The legal decision period is Within a reasonable time from submission of a complete application. Ownership changes need the regulator's approval before completion.
At a glance
| Official name | Financial Services Permission for Managing a Collective Investment Fund (Category 3C)1 |
|---|---|
| Also known as | ADGM Category 3C licence · ADGM asset manager licence · ADGM fund manager licence · FSRA Category 3C permission · Category 3C · Managing a Collective Investment Fund permission |
| Issued by | Financial Services Regulatory Authority |
| Jurisdiction | Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) |
| Licence family | Fund manager |
| Legal basis | FSRA Fund Rulebook (FUNDS)2 |
| Passporting | Domestic only |
| Statutory decision time | Within a reasonable time from submission of a complete application3 |
| Public register | official register4 |
| Current holders | 1584 |
What it lets you do
| Managing alternative investment funds | Performing portfolio management and risk management for funds that are not UCITS, such as hedge, private equity and real estate funds. |
|---|---|
| Managing UCITS funds | Managing undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities, the EU's retail fund format. |
| Portfolio management | Managing client portfolios that include financial instruments on a discretionary, client-by-client basis. |
Where it is valid
Buying a company that already holds it
Prior approval required. Under FSMR section 105 and GEN 8.8, prior written approval from the FSRA is required before a person becomes a controller or increases control across 20%, 30%, or 50% thresholds. A controller is defined as holding 10% or more of voting rights or capital, or exercising significant influence. The statutory determination period is 90 days from receipt of a complete notice, accompanied by a USD 1,000 application fee.5
FM in other countries
| Country | Licence | Regulator | Min. capital | Application fee | Statutory time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) | Fund manager licenceFinancial Services Permission for Managing a Collective Investment Fund (Category 3C) | FSRA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bermuda | Fund Administrator LicenceFund Administrator Licence (Part III, Investment Funds Act 2006) | BMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| British Virgin Islands | Fund manager licenceBVI mutual fund recognition (private/professional fund), registration (public fund) or approval (incubator/approved fund) - funds are recognised/registered/approved, not 'licensed' | BVI FSC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cayman Islands | Regulated Mutual FundRegulated Mutual Fund (registered, master, or administered fund under the Mutual Funds Act) | CIMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cayman Islands | Registered Private FundRegistered Private Fund under the Private Funds Act | CIMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cyprus | Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) authorisation | CySEC | n/a | n/a | ~3 mo |
| Cyprus | Sub-threshold Alternative Investment Fund Manager registration | CySEC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cyprus | UCITS Management Company authorisation | CySEC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Czech Republic | Sub-threshold Alternative Investment Fund Manager registrationSub-threshold Alternative Investment Fund Manager registration pursuant to Section 15 of AMCIF | CNB | n/a | CZK 10,000 | ~1 mo |
| Czech Republic | Investment Company / Fund Manager licence | CNB | n/a | CZK 50,000 | ~6 mo |
| Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) | Fund manager licenceFinancial Services Permission for Managing a Collective Investment Fund (Category 3C) | DFSA | n/a | USD 10,000 | n/a |
| Estonia | Small fund manager registration without activity licence | FI | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Estonia | Operating licence as a fund management company | FI | n/a | EUR 600 | n/a |
| France | Portfolio management company authorisation | AMF | n/a | n/a | ~3 mo |
| Germany | Investment management company licence | BaFin | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ireland | Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) Authorisation/Registration | CBI | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ireland | UCITS Management Company Authorisation | CBI | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Luxembourg | Alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) authorisation | CSSF | n/a | EUR 18,000 | ~3 mo |
| Luxembourg | Management company authorisedManagement company authorised under Chapter 15 of the Law of 17 December 2010 | CSSF | n/a | EUR 18,000 | ~6 mo |
| Netherlands | Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) licenceAlternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) licence under Wft Article 2:65 and Directive 2011/61/EU | AFM | n/a | EUR 200 | ~6 mo |
| Netherlands | Fund manager licenceUndertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS / ICBE) registration under Wft and Directive 2009/65/EC | AFM | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Poland | Investment Fund Company licence | KNF | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Poland | Alternative Investment Company Manager registration / licence | KNF | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Seychelles | Fund Administrator's LicenceFund Administrator's Licence (and Restricted Fund Administrator's Licence) under the Mutual Fund and Hedge Fund Act 2008 | FSA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Spain | Fund manager licence (SGIIC) | CNMV | n/a | EUR 10,000 | n/a |
| Switzerland | Fund management company licence | FINMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Switzerland | Manager of collective assets licence | FINMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| United Kingdom | Fund manager licenceAlternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) Authorisation / Registration | FCA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Values come from each licence's page, where every figure has its source.
Sources
- ADGM FSRA Rulebook: 7549 · retrieved 2026-09-24
- ADGM FSRA Rulebook: fund rulebook funds ver13160926 · retrieved 2026-09-24
- ADGM FSRA Rulebook: 12521 · retrieved 2026-09-24
- adgm.com: firms · retrieved 2026-09-24
- ADGM FSRA Rulebook: 7993 · retrieved 2026-09-24
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