01 · Licensing & Authorisation
Application for Authorisation
End-to-end guidance through the regulatory application process — from readiness assessment and business planning to submission and follow-up with the regulator.
At a glance
Overview
Authorisation, without the guesswork.
Securing an Electronic Money Institution licence is a demanding, evidence-heavy process. We translate the regulator’s expectations into a clear plan and a complete, defensible application — so you can focus on building your product.
From your first scoping call to post-authorisation obligations, our team works as an extension of yours: precise, commercially aware, and accountable for the outcome.
The service in detail
Authorisation is not a form-filling exercise — it is a demonstration that your firm is fit, funded and properly controlled. We build that case with you, end to end.
Who it’s for
Fintech founders and payments teams seeking EMI, PI or small-EMI permissions in the UK, EU or Canada — whether applying for the first time, restructuring, or extending permissions into new markets.
What we handle
Process & timelines
From scoping to authorisation.
Indicative timelines for a well-prepared application — roughly 9–12 months end to end. Actual duration varies by jurisdiction, licence type and regulator.
Document preparation & approval
Full build-out of the documentation suite with you, reviewed and signed off before submission. Preparation quality here is the single biggest driver of speed.
Review & query management
Submission and the regulator's review. The statutory clock pauses for each information request, so a well-prepared file typically resolves in six to nine months.
Pre-commencement & authorisation
Final conditions — capital injection, safeguarding account and final signed documents — then formal authorisation and go-live under ongoing supervision.
What we prepare
The full documentation suite.
A complete, regulator-ready pack. Applications are typically built on four core compliance programmes, plus the business and operational documentation that underpins them.
Illustrative for an EMI authorisation — the exact set is tailored to your licence type and jurisdiction (for example, CASS-based safeguarding items apply in the UK and may differ elsewhere).
AML/CTF Programme
The firm's approach to customer due diligence, monitoring, screening and suspicious activity reporting.
+ supporting forms and registers
Safeguarding Programme
The firm's approach to customer funds segregation, reconciliation, protection and governance.
● CASS items apply to UK safeguarding — equivalent arrangements vary by jurisdiction. + supporting forms and registers
Governance Framework
The firm's structure, reporting lines, responsibilities and internal control environment.
+ supporting forms and registers
IT & Cybersecurity Programme
The firm's approach to systems, security controls, access management and incident response.
+ supporting standards and registers
Business & Operational Documentation
The commercial and operational backbone of the application — how the business runs and is governed.
+ supporting documentation and charts
Applies across
United Kingdom
European Union
CanadaEMIPSPMSBSecure your licence,
secure your future.
Book a scoping call and we’ll map your fastest, most defensible path to authorisation.