KYC Requirements
Know Your Customer verification for digital residents and beneficial owners.
What is KYC?
Know Your Customer (KYC) is the process of verifying the identity of individuals who become digital residents or beneficial owners of ZDFZ entities. This process helps prevent fraud, money laundering, and ensures compliance with international regulations.
Digital-First Verification
ZDFZ uses advanced digital verification technology that allows you to complete KYC entirely online. No in-person visits or notarized documents required in most cases.
Who Needs KYC?
All Digital Residents
Every individual applying for digital residency must complete full KYC verification.
Beneficial Owners
Any individual owning 25% or more of a company or cooperative.
Directors & Officers
All company directors, officers, and authorized signatories.
Cooperative Board Members
Board members and officers of cooperatives.
KYC Process Overview
Personal Information
Provide basic details: name, date of birth, nationality, address.
Document Upload
Upload identity documents (passport/ID) and proof of address.
Biometric Verification
Complete selfie and liveness check via your device camera.
Verification Complete
Results typically within 1-2 business days. Instant in many cases.
Required Documents
Identity Document (One Required)
Passport
Valid passport with machine-readable zone (MRZ)
PreferredNational ID Card
Government-issued ID with photo and readable text
Driver's License
Some countries only - must have photo and address
Proof of Address (One Required)
Documents must be dated within the last 3 months:
- ✓ Utility Bill - Electricity, water, gas, or internet bill
- ✓ Bank Statement - From a recognized financial institution
- ✓ Government Letter - Tax document or official correspondence
- ✓ Rental Agreement - Current lease or tenancy agreement
Document Requirements
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| File Format | JPEG, PNG, or PDF |
| File Size | Maximum 10MB per file |
| Image Quality | Clear, legible, all corners visible |
| Document Validity | Not expired, 6+ months validity preferred |
| Language | English, French, Arabic, Swahili (or certified translation) |
Biometric Verification
Our liveness check ensures you are a real person and match your documents:
📸 Selfie Capture
- Face clearly visible
- Good lighting (no shadows)
- Neutral background
- No glasses or head covering
🎥 Liveness Check
- Follow on-screen prompts
- Turn head as directed
- Blink when prompted
- Takes about 10 seconds
Enhanced Due Diligence
Additional verification may be required for:
- ! Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) - Government officials, senior executives of state-owned enterprises.
- ! High-Risk Jurisdictions - Residents of countries on FATF monitoring lists.
- ! Complex Ownership - Companies with multi-layered ownership structures.
- ! High-Value Transactions - Entities handling large transaction volumes.
KYC for Companies
Companies must provide KYC for:
All Directors
Complete KYC for each director regardless of shareholding.
Beneficial Owners (25%+)
All individuals owning 25% or more directly or indirectly.
Authorized Signatories
Anyone authorized to sign on behalf of the company.
Corporate Shareholders
If shareholders are companies, provide their ownership chain.
Verification Timeline
Verified instantly via automated checks
Verified within 24 hours
Manual review (1-3 business days)
Data Security
🔒 Your Data is Protected
- ✓ End-to-end encryption during transmission
- ✓ AES-256 encryption at rest
- ✓ GDPR-compliant data handling
- ✓ Data retained only as required by law
- ✓ Right to data deletion upon account closure
Ready to Complete KYC?
Start your digital residency application to begin the KYC process.
Start Application →