Topic hub
Costs, timelines, perimeter questions and application practice for firms seeking FCA authorisation or a variation of permission.
Topic briefing
Most firms providing financial services need to be authorised by the FCA or registered with it. The FCA expects applicants to be ready, willing and organised, and cryptoasset firms preparing for the new regime, which comes into force on 25 October 2027, can request a pre-application meeting.
Most firms providing financial services need to be authorised by the FCA or registered with it. Authorisation means having FCA permission to provide certain products and services, while registration means meeting certain requirements without needing permission. Authorised firms that want to change or add regulated activities apply for a variation of permission and cannot start the new activities until the FCA approves the application. The authorisation hub links to application guidance by firm type and to the pre-application support service.
Sources: Authorisation · How to apply for authorisation or registration · Fees and levies · Variation of permission · Pre-application support service (PASS)
Featured article
What FCA case officers ask founders and approved-person candidates in authorisation interviews, a question bank by theme, common traps, possible outcomes including a VREQ, and a preparation checklist.
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Showing 1–12 of 15 articles
What FCA case officers ask founders and approved-person candidates in authorisation interviews, a question bank by theme, common traps, possible outcomes including a VREQ, and a preparation checklist.
The FCA tells authorised firms to review current permissions before a proposed change and not to start requested activities until approval.
FCA application fees for 2026 range from £280 to £225,170 by pricing category, plus the wider costs a credible authorisation budget must cover.
How long FCA authorisation really takes, what drives the gap between a 14-week approval and an 11-month wait, and how preparation shortens it.
How to get FCA authorised: the defined path from preparation to approval, and why complete applications move faster than ones returned as incomplete.
The FCA held a Payment Services Authorisation Information Session on 9 May 2025 in Stratford, with a virtual session in June 2025. The sessions were aimed at payments and e-money firms seeking FCA authorisation, as well as advisory firms supporting the sector.
In a landmark announcement, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has unveiled substantial changes to its authorisation process, demonstrating a clear commitment to supporting growth in the UK financial services sector. As your trusted regulatory partner, MEMA Consultants brings you a detailed analysis of these important developments.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently assessed the key harms and drivers of harm caused by Appointed Representatives (ARs) and Introducer Appointed Representatives (IARs) in the credit broking sector. The regulator has identified areas for improvement in the due diligence checks conducted by principal firms when appointing ARs and in their ongoing monitoring of these representatives. This article will discuss the issues identified by the FCA and how firms can address these concerns to ensure better oversight of their ARs and IARs.
In this series of articles, MEMA will break down what is the Appointed Representative Regime and what steps your organisation will need to take.
Did you know that the FCA has published a consultation paper and press release setting out how it proposes to operate a new authorisations gateway for firms wanting to continue approving financial promotions for unauthorised persons.
The Temporary Permissions Regime ('TPR') was designed in response to Brexit to ensure that European firms operating in the UK via a passport could continue operating temporarily while they seek full authorisation in the UK.
The FCA expects a specific, tailored regulatory business plan with every authorisation application. This guide walks through the 13 areas of the FCA sample plan, common weaknesses and timing.
The MEMA Brief
Weekly updates on FCA developments, analysis and upcoming deadlines for regulated firms.
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