The statutory determination period is up to 6 months for a complete application (12 months if incomplete). A well-prepared, complete pack reduces FCA queries and avoids the most common delays.
Get Authorised
Get FCA authorised with confidence
Get the right permissions and a credible application in front of the FCA - from perimeter scoping to a complete, evidenced submission.
- 100+ firms authorised
- Operating since 2019
- Led by ex-FCA regulators
Who this is for
Is this you?
If more than one of these describes your firm, this is the right place to start.
- Founders and new entrants assessing whether they need FCA authorisation
- Firms launching a new regulated activity or product
- Authorised firms varying or extending their permissions
- Overseas firms establishing a UK-regulated entity
Common triggers
Common triggers
- You are about to offer a regulated activity for the first time
- An investor, bank or partner requires you to be authorised
- You are launching a product outside your current permissions
- A prospective acquisition needs a change in control or VoP
How we help
How an engagement runs
- 01
Scope
Establish which regulated activities you carry on and the permissions that follow, before any drafting starts.
- 02
Build
The regulatory business plan, financials, policies and governance — written so they describe the same firm.
- 03
Submit
Through the FCA's Connect portal, then drafting and pressure-testing every response to the case officer.
- 04
Operate
Reporting obligations and the compliance cycle in place before you trade, so approval is a beginning.
- Firms Authorised
- 100+
- Sectors Covered
- 11
- Years' Experience
- 10+
What we do
Service packages
FCA Authorisation
End-to-end application support from scoping to approval.
FCA Authorisation service →Variation of Permissions
Add, remove or amend permissions on an existing Part 4A.
Variation of Permissions service →Change in Control
Section 178 notices for acquiring, increasing or giving up control of an authorised firm.
Change in Control service →AIS/PIS Permissions
Account information & payment initiation service authorisation.
AIS/PIS Permissions service →Cryptoasset Regulatory Readiness
MLR registration and conduct readiness for cryptoasset firms.
Cryptoasset Regulatory Readiness service →Buy Now Pay Later
Prepare for the incoming BNPL regulatory regime.
Buy Now Pay Later service →Credit Broking
Consumer credit permissions for brokers and intermediaries.
Credit Broking service →Mortgage Broking
Home finance permissions and MCOB readiness.
Mortgage Broking service →Insurance Broking
General insurance distribution permissions and ICOBS.
Insurance Broking service →Consumer Credit
Lending and credit-related regulated activity permissions.
Consumer Credit service →Regulatory Perimeter Assessment
A consultant-led analysis of activities, exclusions and permissions.
Regulatory Perimeter Assessment service →UK Authorisation for International Firms
Design a UK presence and authorisation route that reflects how the business operates.
UK Authorisation for International Firms service →Appointed Representative to Direct Authorisation
Plan the move from appointed representative status to a directly authorised business.
Appointed Representative to Direct Authorisation service →Funeral Plans
Permissions, customer protection and operating controls for funeral-plan firms.
Funeral Plans service →What you get
Typical evidence required
- Regulatory business plan and financial projections
- Threshold conditions and adequate resources assessment
- SMF appointments, Statements of Responsibilities and F&P
- Core policies: compliance monitoring, financial crime, complaints
- Operational, outsourcing and wind-down arrangements
6-Week Preparation Process
Our FCA Application Readiness Timeline
A structured, proven approach to preparing and submitting your FCA application in around 6 weeks. The FCA's own assessment then typically takes a further 6–12 months.
Free tools for this journey
Perimeter Assessment
Map your activities to permissions and sourcebooks.
Perimeter Assessment tool →FCA Fee Calculator
Estimate your application and annual FCA fees.
FCA Fee Calculator tool →Authorisation Readiness Checklist
Track your application preparation against 45 items.
Authorisation Readiness Checklist tool →Case studies
Payment Services & EMI
Payment institution authorised in 9 months despite a stalled application
A payments firm's authorisation had stalled amid case-handler and personnel changes. MEMA stabilised the process and secured authorisation in 9 months.
Read case study →Investment & Wealth ManagementInvestment authorisation saved after FCA flagged compliance concerns
The FCA flagged compliance-position issues during an investment authorisation. MEMA's ex-regulator team resolved every query and got the firm authorised.
Read case study →Frequently Asked Questions
Select a question to view the answer.
A new application is for firms that are not yet authorised. A Variation of Permission changes the permissions of a firm that already holds a Part 4A authorisation.
Book a regulatory scoping call
Speak with our regulatory specialists to scope your situation and recommended next steps.
- Led by ex-FCA regulators
- 100+ firms authorised since 2019
- 11 sectors supported
- We will tell you if you do not need us