How to Trade

Buying and selling shares listed on DFM

Trading shares of DFM listed companies can be an exciting way to grow your wealth, but it all starts with opening a Trading account. A trading account is your gateway to the DFM, allowing you to buy and sell shares seamlessly.

Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

Why opening a Trading account is Essential

Before you can trade, you need a trading account. This account acts as a bridge between you and DFM, enabling you to execute buy and sell orders, without it, you cannot participate in the buying and selling of shares, opening a trading account is the first and most crucial step in your trading journey.

Steps to open a Trading Account

Step 1

Open a Trading Account

iVestor app
You can download the iVestor app to instantly open a trading account with our partnered brokers and trade instantly. Get iVestor App
DFM Licensed brokers
Select and appoint a licensed broker to carry out your buying and selling transactions. You may first want to contact the brokers, as each one offers different products and services. View Brokerage Firms

Step 2 Start Trading

Once you appoint a broker, you can start trading through the options they provide, such as through iVestor app or their mobile app or online platform.

DFM Trading Hours

Pre-Opening Session

Start Time 09:30

End Time 10:00

Trading Session

Start Time 10:00

End Time 14:45

Pre-Closing Session

Start Time 14:45

End Time 14:55

Trading at last

Start Time 14:55

End Time 15:00

Step 3 Track Your Portfolio

View and track your portfolio and trading activity on the DFM app or iVestor app via the broker’s platform

Real-time Data
You can keep track of latest trades and price changes on DFM and Nasdaq Dubai listed securities via DFM App or iVestor app via the broker’s platform

iVestor Card
You can apply for an iVestor card and access controls and online statements via DFM app or iVestor app

Your Portfolio
Track your stock portfolio and transactions instantly online with 24/7 access. View various types of statements with up to date information via DFM app or iVestor app.

Get DFM App Get iVestor App

Opening a trading account is the first step toward becoming an active participant in Dubai Financial Market. By selecting the right broker and following the steps outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to buying and selling shares of DFM listed companies.

Remember, successful trading requires not only the right tools but also continuous learning and disciplined decision-making.

iVestor is your gateway to seamless digital investing on the Dubai Financial Market.

Whether you’re trading stocks, subscribing to IPOs, or setting savings goals, the iVestor app puts powerful financial tools right at your fingertips — all in a secure, user-friendly platform.

Buy & sell DFM-listed securities
Easy IPO subscriptions
Real-time portfolio tracking
Virtual cards for spending & saving
Instant transfers to banks or friends

Explore iVestor

Investor FAQs

Investor Number Services

: No, personal presence is not required to obtain an Investor number. Investors may apply on the DFM App.

: Yes. The Dubai Central Securities Depository (Dubai CSD) CSD is open to investors of any nationality based in any country. Any individual or institution can apply for an Investor Number (NIN) with the Dubai CSD in order to trade both DFM and Nasdaq Dubai listed securities.

: Yes. Investors below the age of 18 are considered minors, and therefore the guardian must request the Investor Number (NIN) on behalf of the minor. Click here to view the steps.

: Trading requires opening an account with a brokerage firm licensed on the DFM
or
You can download the iVestor app to instantly open a trading account with our partnered brokers and trade instantly.

: You can apply by providing a duly authenticated Power of Attorney.

: Investor Numbers (NIN) can be issued immediately once the request is submitted.

: Opening an Investor Number (NIN) is a free of charge service.

Trading

: After getting your Investor Number (NIN), select a brokerage firm and open a trading account. There are different ways of opening a trading account, check what your broker offers - digital account opening through either DFM/iVestor App or broker apps, or by visiting their branch.

: Through DFM app: all you need is an Emirates ID or passport. Your trading account will be created subject to the broker’s approval.
Through iVestor app with our partner brokers
Visit broker member branch: you will need your Emirates ID, passport, family book (UAE Nationals), visa (UAE residents), and bank account statement.

: If you applied through DFM app, you can start trading once your broker confirms to you via sms or email.
Or
If you applied through iVestor app, you can directly open a trading account with our partnered broker and trade instantly.

: your broker will review your application with you to provide a certain document or confirm on certain details for further verification.

Transfers

: Transferring shares between accounts of two different investors are permitted only if there is a 2nd degree kinship between the transferor and transferee.
Special Deals off the market are also permitted provided the value of shares of the deal is AED10,000,000 and above.

: In order to process the transfer off the market, the shares must be available in your Dubai CSD account.

: Shares cannot be transferred if they are frozen. Frozen shares need to be un-frozen first; this process requires submission of an original certificate or copy of Allotment Notice to the DFM.

: The requirements of securities withdrawal from the Dubai Central Securities Depository (Dubai CSD) are as follows:

An official letter or a depositing and withdrawing form should be sent by the investor completed with the following details:

Investor Name.

Investor Number.

Company Name.

Quantity of securities to be transferred.

Identify the transfer is to be made from Dubai Central Securities Depository (Dubai CSD) (tick the appropriate box on the form).

Trading member account number in the other market.

Trading member's stamp and authorized signature.

Submission of fees by Trading member.

Al Salam Bank – Sudan have different procedures for withdrawing shares from the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) to the Khartoum Stock Exchange, the investor should follow the below mentioned procedures:

Complete the Securities Deposit & Withdrawal Request Form. (tick the withdrawal box)

Attach a passport copy or ID copy of the individuals.

Attach a visa copy (for non-UAE nationals).

Attach the Articles of Association and Commercial Registration, which should illustrate the company’s nationality.

Submission of fees.

Note: In some cases there are requests to withdraw Gulf Financial House shares from the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) to the Al Bahrain Stock Market to re-transfer shares to the Al Kuwait Stock Market, and the reason for this is there is no sub-listed agreement signed between the DFM, Gulf Financial House and the Kuwaiti Company for Clearance. And in this case, usually the investor's letter for withdrawal of the shares does not mention the investor 's number or investor 's account details with the member. The Dubai CSD will accept the letter under the condition that the letter must specify that the reason to transfer securities to Bahrain is in order to re-transfer the securities to the Al Kuwait Stock Market.

Statements

: Yes, via DFM App and DFM eServices.

Dividends Services (iVESTOR)

: UAE mailing addresses: approximately 10 working days via courier and the investor will be notified by SMS prior to delivery.
Overseas mailing addresses: approximately 15 working days by registered post / courier during pandemic.

: Cash Deposit and withdrawals made from Emirates NBD cash machines are free of charge while withdrawals from cash machines of other banks may be chargeable.
Online transfer and top up from ENBD online banking to iVestor card is free of charge, however online transfer and top up from others banks may be chargeable.

: Activation of the iVestor card is authorized only by the iVestor cardholder.

: Yes, you can apply for the iVestor card once you open an Investor Number (NIN) with the DFM.
If you already have an Investor Number (NIN), kindly complete the Cash Dividends Payment Method to apply for an iVestor card via DFM App or DFM eServices.

: Yes, on monthly basis investor will receive e-statement on the registered mail ID.
However, you can also check your statement through DFM mobile App or eServices.

: Yes, the iVestor card is also a cash card so you can withdraw from the credit balance on your iVestor card from any VISA or PLUS marked ATMs* worldwide.

*Subject to bank charges.

: The iVestor card is only applicable for individuals and sole proprietorship.

: The iVestor card is only applicable for individuals and sole proprietorship.

: Applying for an iVestor card is free of charge.
New investors can apply for investor number through the DFM mobile app.
If you have an Investor Number (NIN), you can apply for an iVestor card by updating your payment method via DFM mobile app or DFM eServices.

: Please contact DFM iVestor Card Services on +971 4 305 5555, selecting option 3.

: This is possible provided the investor’s representative presents a duly authenticated Power of Attorney in which it states a clause authorizing the representative to apply for an iVestor card on behalf of the investor.

: For lost cards, you can request an iVestor card replacement through DFM mobile app or eServices.

: There is no annual fee, the card is valid for 5 years.

Dividends Services (Bank Account)

: There are charges for every dividend transfer per company. The charge is deducted from the dividend amount.

: For Local Bank Account, if the dividend amount per symbol is less than 4 AED, the amount will not be transferred to the Bank Account. Except for Emirates NBD and Emirates Islamic Bank.

For International Bank Account, if your dividend amount per symbol is less than 500 AED, the amount will not be transferred to the Bank Account.

The Bank Account payment option is not applicable. Instead, you will be paid by credit into the iVestor card.

The Bank Account payment option is not applicable for the dividends below AED 500. Alternatively, the investor can submit a request to receive cash dividends and change the payment method for receiving dividends to iVestor Card.

: No, you must only provide the bank account details of the minor and not for a third-party.

: Yes. You can apply for an iVestor card and also select your preferred mode of payment for receiving any due dividends, either by crediting to your iVestor card or your Bank Account.

: Yes, the bank account option is applicable for all types of investors.

: You will receive your dividends via direct credit to your Bank Account only for the companies who decide to distribute their dividends through the DFM as the paying agent and if you have selected the bank account option for receipt of dividends.