PSP / EMI licensing application support

Order PSP / EMI licensing application support 

Obtaining authorisation as a Payment Service Provider (PSP) or Electronic Money Institution (EMI) in the United Kingdom is a complex regulatory process overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Depending on the scale and nature of activities, businesses may need to register as a authorised payment institution uk or qualify under a lighter regime. Candidates have to show strong governance, economic strength, protecting setups, and functional preparedness. Our licensing assistance solution helps services at every phase of the application procedure, helping them prepare certified submissions and navigate FCA assumptions with confidence.

Regulatory scope & licence eligibility assessment

Before starting a PSP or EMI application, it is essential to determine whether your business model requires authorisation or registration, and which licence category applies. Many early-stage companies ask what is a small payment institution and whether this status is suitable for their operations. Incorrect scoping is one of the most common reasons for application delays or refusals, making early legal assessment critical.

Our support at this stage includes:

• Analysing payment services, fund flows, and customer interaction models.
• Determining whether a small payment institution uk registration or a full authorisation is required.
• Assessing territorial scope, outsourcing arrangements, and use of agents or distributors.
• Identifying key regulatory risks and readiness gaps before submission.

Following this assessment, clients receive a clear roadmap outlining licensing requirements, timelines, and documentation obligations. This early clarity helps businesses decide whether to pursue a payment institution license uk immediately or scale under a simplified regime first.

Application documentation & governance preparation

A successful application depends on the quality and internal consistency of submitted documents. The FCA expects applicants to demonstrate robust governance, effective risk management, and operational controls proportionate to the scale of activities. This applies equally to applicants seeking a authorised payment institution licence and those registering under the small institution regime.

Key areas we cover include:

1. Drafting and reviewing regulatory business plans and financial projections.
2. Preparing safeguarding policies, AML/CTF frameworks, and risk assessments.
3. Developing governance documentation, including senior management responsibilities.
4. Advising on compliance with small payment institution capital requirements and operational thresholds.

Once documentation is finalised, we conduct a compliance consistency review to ensure all materials align with FCA expectations. This structured preparation reduces the risk of delays during the FCA’s assessment phase.

FCA submission, review management & ongoing support

After submission, the FCA review phase often involves follow-up questions, clarifications, and additional evidence requests. We support clients throughout this stage by managing correspondence, preparing responses, and advising on regulatory adjustments. Our team also assists where operational issues arise, including situations such as payment refused by the financial institution, which may indicate compliance or safeguarding concerns. In addition, we advise on post-authorisation obligations, reporting duties, and ongoing compliance risks, including matters linked to authorised payment institution financial crime controls.