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Financial Conduct Authority

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Requirements for Obtaining a License

License Fees

The licensing process involves the following fee categories:

  1. Application Fee: £2,500
  2. Fees for Changing Business Scope or Activities: Applicable based on the change requested.
  3. Annual Fees: Ongoing fees to maintain compliance with regulatory obligations.

Office Requirements

To obtain a license, businesses must:

  • Register a company in the United Kingdom or
  • Conduct business activities within the UK jurisdiction.

License Validity Period

The license is permanently valid unless:

  • It is revoked by the authority.
  • It is suspended due to non-compliance or legal issues.
  • The company voluntarily relinquishes the license.

Processing Time

The standard timeline for license approval ranges from 6 to 12 months, depending on the complexity of the application and the assessment process.

License Application Process

  1. Register on the Connect Platform:
  2. Begin by creating an account on the FCA’s official Connect system.
  3. Submit the Application:
  4. Complete the required details and upload all necessary documents through the Connect system.
  5. Pay the Application Fee:
  6. Ensure the £2,500 fee is paid upon submission.
  7. Authority Assessment:
  8. The application will be reviewed by the relevant authorities, and additional information may be requested during the assessment phase.

Application Requirements

To support the application, the following documentation is mandatory:

  1. Historic Financial Statements:
  • Required if the business has been operational previously.
  • Includes past records of performance and financial stability.
  1. Key Financial Documents:
  • Income Statement
  • Balance Sheet
  • Cash Flow Statement
  1. MiFID Authorization for Retail Brokers:
  2. Retail brokers are required to obtain MiFID (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) authorization prior to applying for the license.

By meeting these requirements and following the outlined process, businesses can successfully obtain the necessary licensing to operate in the UK financial market. Careful preparation of supporting documents and adherence to regulatory guidelines will help streamline the application and approval process.