Nasara Authorise insights
FCA authorisation, permissions, and submission-ready application packs.
The Application and Process
Running the FCA application including the process, checklist, timelines, Connect submission, business plan, interview and rejection risks.
Submitting Your FCA Application Through Connect: A Practical Guide
How to register for FCA Connect, build your application pack, pay the fee and understand the 6 and 12 month statutory determination periods.
8 min read
Writing an FCA regulatory business plan
How to write an FCA regulatory business plan for authorisation: the sections the FCA expects, Consumer Duty, financials, compliance and governance.
8 min read
The FCA authorisation process explained
A clear, step by step guide to the FCA authorisation process, from scoping permissions to submitting via Connect and the statutory determination periods.
7 min read
Preparing for an FCA authorisation interview
How to prepare for an FCA authorisation interview: who the panel is, what topics the FCA explores, the fit and proper test, and a practical checklist.
7 min read
How long does FCA authorisation take
How long does FCA authorisation take? Learn the statutory 6 and 12 month periods, the FCA's faster targets from 2026, and what drives your timeline.
8 min read
FCA authorisation costs and fees
Understand the real FCA authorisation cost in 2026: the current application fee categories, ongoing periodic fees and the wider cost of getting authorised.
8 min read
Common reasons FCA applications get rejected
Learn why an FCA application is rejected, refused or withdrawn, the failings the FCA cites most often, and how firms can prepare a stronger case.
7 min read
FCA Authorisation: A Practical Checklist
A practical checklist for FCA authorisation applications, covering governance, controls, and evidence.
15 min readAppointed Representatives and Agents
Operating under a principal as an appointed representative or agent and the obligations that principal firms carry.
Registering as a Payment Services Agent with the FCA
How to register a payment services agent with the FCA under regulation 34 of the PSRs 2017, the information required, and the principal's liability.
8 min read
Principal Firm Obligations for Appointed Representatives: A Practical Guide
A practical guide to principal firm obligations for appointed representatives: FSMA responsibility, SUP 12 oversight, annual reviews and data returns.
8 min read
How to Become an Appointed Representative in the UK
A practical guide to becoming an appointed representative in the UK, covering the FSMA section 39 exemption, finding a principal and the PS22/11 rules.
8 min read
Appointed representative vs direct authorisation
Compare the appointed representative route with direct FCA authorisation. Understand cost, control, speed and obligations under FSMA s39 and SUP 12.
7 min readAuthorisation Basics and Perimeter
Whether you need FCA authorisation, the regulatory perimeter, threshold conditions and Part 4A permission scope.
What Is a Part 4A Permission? Scope, Structure and How It Works
A Part 4A permission sets out the exact regulated activities your firm may carry on. Learn how it is structured, granted and varied under FSMA 2000.
7 min read
FCA threshold conditions explained
A plain English guide to the FCA threshold conditions in Schedule 6 to FSMA 2000: location, supervision, resources, suitability and business model.
9 min read
Do I need to be FCA authorised? The perimeter explained
Wondering do I need FCA authorisation? Learn how the regulatory perimeter works, the four-part test and common activities that trigger authorisation.
8 min readCapital, Safeguarding and Prudential
Prudential requirements at the gateway including minimum capital, safeguarding, professional indemnity insurance and financial crime controls.
Safeguarding Requirements for Payment and E-Money Firms: A Practical Guide
How UK payment and e-money firms must safeguard customer funds under the PSRs 2017 and EMRs 2011, plus the FCA's strengthened supplementary regime.
9 min read
Professional Indemnity Insurance for FCA Firms: Who Needs It and How Much Cover
Which FCA firms must hold professional indemnity insurance, the minimum cover under MIPRU 3, IPRU-INV 13 and PSD2, and how to arrange a policy.
8 min read
Financial Crime Controls for Your FCA Application
What financial crime systems and controls the FCA expects in an authorisation application: risk assessment, AML policy, MLRO, CDD, monitoring and training.
7 min read
FCA minimum capital requirements by firm type
A clear guide to FCA capital requirements by firm type, covering initial capital for payment institutions, e-money firms and MiFID investment firms.
7 min readGovernance, SM&CR and People at the Gateway
Governance and people requirements at authorisation including senior management functions and Consumer Duty evidence.
Consumer Duty at the FCA authorisation gateway: what applicants must evidence
How the FCA assesses Consumer Duty readiness at the authorisation gateway, the four outcomes, and what applicant firms must evidence to be authorised.
7 min read
Applying for a Senior Management Function (Form A): A Practical Guide
Apply for a Senior Management Function using Form A: Connect submission, the fit and proper test, criminal records checks and the 3 month FCA decision.
8 min readPermissions and Regime-Specific Routes
Regime-specific authorisation routes across payments, e-money, consumer credit, investment, mortgage, insurance and crypto.
Limited vs Full Permission Consumer Credit: Which One Do You Need?
Understand the difference between limited permission and full permission consumer credit, the activities each covers, the FCA fees, and how to choose.
7 min read
FCA Authorisation for Mortgage and Insurance Intermediaries
How mortgage and insurance intermediaries get FCA authorised: regulated activities, MCOB and ICOBS permissions, MIPRU capital and PII, and the AR route.
8 min read
FCA Authorisation for Investment Firms: Permissions, Capital and the Application Process
A practical guide to investment firm authorisation: the activities that need permission, MiFID scope, IFPR capital rules and the FCA application process.
7 min read
E-money Institution vs Payment Institution: Which Do You Need?
EMI vs payment institution explained. Learn what electronic money is, how it differs from payment services, and the capital each FCA permission needs.
8 min read
How to get EMI authorisation
A practical UK guide to EMI authorisation with the FCA, covering capital, safeguarding, small EMI thresholds and the application journey.
6 min read
Crypto registration under the MLRs
How crypto FCA registration works under the Money Laundering Regulations, why it is not full authorisation, the application steps and low approval rate.
7 min read
Consumer credit authorisation: a guide
A plain English guide to consumer credit authorisation: which activities need limited or full permission, how CONC works and what the FCA fees are.
9 min read
Authorised vs Small Payment Institution: which do you need
Compare authorised vs small payment institution status under the PSRs 2017: the EUR 3 million threshold, capital, safeguarding and how to choose.
8 min read
Payment Services Authorization: EMI and PI Licensing Guide
Complete guide to FCA authorization for payment institutions, EMIs, and money remittance firms including timelines, requirements, and common pitfalls.
17 min readPost-Authorisation Lifecycle
Life after authorisation including supervision, variation of permission, change in control, cancellation and wind-down planning.
Wind-Down Planning for FCA Firms: What the Regulator Expects
How to build a credible FCA wind-down plan: triggers, liquidity modelling, client money return and orderly exit, based on FG20/1, the WDPG and TR22/1.
10 min read
What to Expect from FCA Supervision After Authorisation
How FCA supervision works after authorisation: the portfolio model, fixed versus flexible firms, regulatory returns, notifications and staying ready.
8 min read
How to Cancel Your FCA Permission: A Step by Step Guide for Firms
How to cancel your FCA permission through Connect, what to complete first, fees, run-off, and the FCA's own power to remove unused permissions.
8 min read
FCA Change in Control: Approval for New Controllers Explained
How the FCA change in control regime works: section 178 notices, the 10, 20, 30 and 50 percent thresholds, and the 60 working day assessment period.
8 min read
Variation of Permission (VoP): when and how
When your firm needs a variation of permission (VoP) from the FCA, how to apply through Connect, the statutory timelines, and the fees you can expect.
8 min read