AML Compliance for UAE Businesses
We handle the full setup and keep you covered year-round
- Applies ToAll DNFBPs
- Min. PenaltyAED 50,000
- Max. PenaltyAED 5,000,000
- LawFederal Decree No. 20 / 2018
Companies Requiring Compliance
Real Estate Brokers
Agencies and brokers involved in buying, selling, or leasing property on behalf of clients.
- goAML registration required
- CDD mandatory for all clients
Corporate Service Providers
Companies that form, administer, or manage legal entities and structures on behalf of clients.
- goAML registration required
- UBO identification and verification mandatory
- AML policy and compliance officer required
Accounting and Audit Firms
Firms providing accounting, bookkeeping, auditing, or tax advisory services to third parties.
- goAML registration required
- Client due diligence procedures mandatory
- Suspicious transaction reporting obligations
Legal Professionals
Law firms and legal consultants advising on transactions, company structures, or asset management.
- goAML registration required
- CDD for clients in specific transaction types
What We Cover
Full AML compliance setup and ongoing maintenance. We handle every requirement so nothing falls through the gaps.
goAML Registration
Complete registration with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit including documentation, portal setup, and authentication configuration.
AML Policy Development
Drafting of your company's internal AML/CFT policy, procedures manual, and controls framework aligned with UAE law.
Compliance Officer Support
Designation and ongoing support for your Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), including responsibilities and reporting procedures.
Customer Due Diligence
CDD and Enhanced Due Diligence procedures for client onboarding, risk classification, and ongoing monitoring.
Annual Risk Assessment
Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment (EWRA) identifying and categorising your business exposure to money laundering and terrorism financing.
Annual AML Return
Preparation and timely submission of your annual AML return to the Ministry of Economy or relevant supervisory authority.
How We Implement Compliance for Your Business
A structured onboarding that takes you from zero to fully compliant. Most businesses are set up within two to three weeks.
- 1
Business Assessment
We review your company type, activities, and current compliance status to identify all applicable obligations.
- 2
goAML Registration
We prepare all required documents and complete your registration with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit.
- 3
Policy and Procedures
We draft your AML/CFT policy, internal controls, and CDD procedures tailored to your business.
- 4
Compliance Officer Setup
We designate and brief your MLRO, define their responsibilities, and set up reporting workflows.
- 5
Staff Training
We conduct a training session for your team covering AML risks, red flags, and reporting obligations.
- 6
Ongoing Maintenance
We manage your annual risk assessment, AML return, and any regulatory updates that affect your obligations.
Most businesses do not find out they are non-compliant until an inspector does.
Why acting now costs significantly less than acting later.
We Know Which Businesses Are Affected
We identify whether and how AML obligations apply to your specific company type, activities, and client base before any work begins.
We Handle goAML Registration End to End
The registration process involves multiple steps, portals, and authentication requirements. We manage the entire process without involving your team.
We Write Policies That Actually Work
Generic templates do not satisfy regulators. We draft policies specific to your business activity, risk profile, and client types.
We Manage Your Annual Obligations
Risk assessments, annual returns, and regulatory updates are tracked and handled on schedule. Nothing is missed.
We Fix Existing Non-Compliance
If your business has been operating without AML compliance, we assess the exposure and bring you into good standing.
We Train Your Team
We run practical training sessions so your staff know how to identify red flags and what to do when they find them.
AML Compliance in UAE: What Business Owners Need to Know
What Is a DNFBP and Why It Matters
Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions is the legal category under which UAE law places certain non-banking businesses considered high-risk for money laundering. The category includes real estate brokers, corporate service providers, accounting firms, legal professionals, and dealers in precious metals and stones. If your business falls into any of these categories, AML compliance is a legal obligation under Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018.
What the Law Actually Requires
The core requirements are consistent across DNFBP categories: registration on the goAML platform, appointment of a Money Laundering Reporting Officer, a written AML/CFT policy, Customer Due Diligence procedures for all clients, record-keeping for a minimum of five years, and an annual return submitted to the Ministry of Economy. Each requirement carries its own penalty for non-compliance and they are assessed independently.
What Happens If You Have Already Been Operating Without Compliance
This is the most common situation. A business has been active for one, two, or three years without any AML framework in place. Voluntary action taken before a regulatory inspection is treated significantly more favourably than non-compliance discovered during one. The penalties range from AED 50,000 to AED 5,000,000 and can include license suspension and personal liability for company directors. Getting compliant now, even retrospectively, is materially less costly than waiting.
How Often Requirements Change
UAE AML regulations are updated regularly as the country continues to strengthen its compliance framework in line with FATF recommendations. This means that a policy drafted two years ago may no longer reflect current requirements. Annual reviews and updates to your AML framework are not optional maintenance. They are a formal requirement under the annual return obligation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does AML compliance apply to my free zone company?
Yes. AML obligations apply to all UAE-registered companies that fall within the DNFBP categories, regardless of whether they are incorporated on the mainland or in a free zone. The supervisory authority may differ, but the obligations under UAE AML law apply equally.
What is goAML and why does my company need to register?
goAML is the secure digital platform used by the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit to receive suspicious transaction reports and AML filings. Registration is mandatory for all DNFBPs. Operating without registration is itself a compliance violation.
We have been operating for two years without AML compliance. What should we do?
Acting now is significantly better than waiting. We assess your current exposure, determine which obligations were missed and for which period, and work to bring your company into compliance. Voluntary action before a regulatory inspection is treated differently than non-compliance discovered during one.
Do we need a full-time Compliance Officer?
No. UAE law requires a designated Money Laundering Reporting Officer but does not require this to be a full-time role. In many small businesses, an existing director or manager can be designated, with external support handling the technical compliance work. We structure this based on your company size and risk profile.
How often do we need to update our AML compliance?
The annual AML return is a fixed annual obligation. Your Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment and AML policy should also be reviewed annually or when there are material changes to your business, client base, or applicable regulations. We manage this cycle as part of ongoing maintenance.
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