Trusted AML & Risk Advisory Services in the UAE

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CORE SERVICES

Comprehensive AML Compliance Services in Dubai

We support DNFBPs across the UAE in meeting AML and CFT regulatory requirements with clarity and confidence. Whether you are establishing your compliance framework or strengthening existing controls, our specialists help ensure full regulatory alignment while keeping your business prepared for audits at all times.
goAML Registration & Setup

We handle end-to-end goAML registration with the UAE FIU, ensuring your business is properly enrolled, configured, and ready for mandatory reporting without delays or errors.

Customized AML Policies & Procedures

We develop AML/CFT policies tailored to your business activity, risk exposure, and regulatory obligations, ensuring full compliance with UAE laws and international standards.

Periodic AML & CFT Compliance Reporting

Our team prepares and submits required AML/CFT reports on a periodic basis, helping you meet ongoing regulatory requirements while reducing internal workload and compliance stress.

AML Compliance Framework Implementation

We design and implement a complete compliance framework defining roles, responsibilities, internal controls, and escalation procedures aligned with UAE regulatory expectations.

Risk Assessment, KYC & Due Diligence

We assist in conducting business risk assessments, customer due diligence, and KYC reviews using a risk-based approach to identify, evaluate, and mitigate financial crime exposure.

Regulatory Inspection & Examination Support

Facing a regulatory inspection or supervisory review? We prepare your documentation, internal processes, and staff to confidently handle inspections and regulator queries.

Sanctions & Watchlist Screening

We implement effective sanctions screening mechanisms to identify prohibited individuals, entities, and transactions, helping prevent exposure to sanctioned or high-risk parties.

Regulatory & Suspicious Activity Reporting

We ensure accurate and timely submission of goAML, TFS, and other regulatory reports to help you avoid penalties, fines, and compliance breaches.

AML Audit Readiness & Support

Our audit assistance services help you stay inspection-ready by reviewing policies, reports, and records to ensure full alignment with UAE AML audit requirements.

DNFBP CATEGORIES

DNFBP in the UAE

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 and Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2019, certain non-financial businesses and professions in the UAE are classified as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) due to their higher exposure to money laundering and terrorist financing risks.

Real Estate Brokers & Agents

Businesses involved in the buying, selling, leasing, or management of real estate properties, including off-plan and secondary market transactions.

Auditors & Accountants

Firms providing accounting, auditing, bookkeeping, or financial advisory services related to financial records and transactions.

Corporate Service Providers

Companies assisting with business setup, company management, shareholder structuring, and legal entity administration.

Trust & Company Service Providers

Entities offering nominee shareholders, directors, trustees, registered office services, or similar corporate control arrangements.

Law Firms & Legal Consultants

Legal professionals involved in financial, corporate, real estate, trust, or transactional services beyond courtroom representation.

Dealers in Precious Metals & Stones

Businesses trading in gold, diamonds, jewellery, and other precious metals or stones, especially in high-value cash transactions.

Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs)

Companies engaged in virtual asset activities such as crypto exchanges, wallet providers, and digital asset custody services.

Tax Consultants & Advisors

Professionals advising on tax planning, wealth structuring, or financial arrangements involving cross-border or high-risk transactions.

Luxury Goods & High-Value Dealers

Dealers trading in luxury assets such as cars, yachts, art, antiques, or collectibles that may be vulnerable to misuse for money laundering.

Our Business Impact
30%

Reduction in Compliance Gaps

80%

Less Manual Compliance Work

78%

Higher Regulatory Readiness

DNFBP COMPLIANCE

Why AML Compliance Is Mandatory for DNFBPs in the UAE

DNFBPs operate in sectors that handle high-value transactions, cross-border clients, and sensitive financial activities. As a result, they are closely monitored under UAE Anti-Money Laundering regulations and are considered high-risk for financial crime exposure. Failing to implement AML controls is not an option. Compliance is a legal requirement and a critical business safeguard.

UAE AML laws are strictly enforced by the Ministry of Economy and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Regulatory penalties can range from AED 50,000 up to AED 5 million, along with additional enforcement actions.

Effective AML measures help identify suspicious activities early, reducing exposure to money laundering, fraud, and terrorist financing risks.

Non-compliant DNFBPs are subject to inspections, audits, administrative penalties, and in serious cases, suspension or cancellation of business licenses.

Strong AML compliance supports uninterrupted business operations and helps maintain healthy banking and financial relationships.

A compliant AML framework strengthens trust with clients, banks, regulators, and international partners, protecting your brand credibility.

Failure to comply can result in blacklisting or placement on monitoring lists, which may restrict access to banks, payment services, and cross-border transactions.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Solutions in Dubai

Understanding the different components of AML compliance enables businesses to build a strong, effective framework that aligns with UAE regulations and reduces exposure to financial crime risks.

AML solutions are generally structured across three key control layers, each serving a specific compliance purpose.

Preventive Controls (First Line of Defence)
Preventive controls are designed to stop money laundering risks before they enter your business. In the UAE, this includes robust customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced KYC procedures, identification of Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), sanctions and watchlist screening against local and international databases, and risk-based client classification. Ongoing staff training also plays a critical role in identifying red flags early, even before onboarding is completed.
Detective Controls (Ongoing Monitoring & Oversight)
Detective controls focus on identifying suspicious activities during the course of business operations. These controls include continuous transaction monitoring, periodic customer reviews, internal compliance checks, and trigger-based alerts to detect unusual patterns or high-risk behavior. This layer ensures that emerging risks are identified and addressed in a timely manner.
Reporting Controls (Regulatory & FIU Obligations)
Reporting controls ensure compliance with mandatory UAE regulatory requirements. This includes timely filing of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs), Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), and Terrorist Financing Suspicion (TFS) reports through the goAML platform. Accurate record-keeping and regulatory reporting are essential to avoid penalties and demonstrate compliance during inspections or audits.
UAE Regulations

Key Anti-Money Laundering Regulations

An overview of the primary AML/CFT laws and regulatory frameworks governing Financial Institutions and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) operating in the United Arab Emirates
Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018
This is the core UAE legislation addressing Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). It establishes mandatory compliance requirements for financial institutions and DNFBPs, including customer due diligence, risk assessments, record-keeping, and reporting of suspicious activities.
Cabinet Decision No. 74 of 2020
This decision outlines the UAE’s framework for implementing United Nations Security Council Resolutions related to terrorism financing and proliferation of weapons. It governs the application of local and international sanctions lists and requires businesses to take immediate action against designated individuals and entities.
Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2019
Issued to support Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018, this decision provides detailed AML/CFT compliance obligations for DNFBPs. It covers internal controls, risk-based approaches, AML policies and procedures, ongoing monitoring, and reporting responsibilities.
AML/CFT Guidelines for DNFBPs
Sector-specific guidance issued by the UAE Ministry of Economy to help DNFBPs practically apply AML/CFT requirements. These guidelines assist businesses in tailoring compliance measures based on their size, nature of activities, and exposure to money laundering and terrorist financing risks.
DRM
Diligence Risk Management
Trusted AML & Risk Advisory Services in the UAE
Why DRM

Why Partner with DRM

Complete AML Compliance Coverage

From initial risk assessment to ongoing reporting, Vista manages the full AML compliance lifecycle, ensuring nothing is overlooked and every requirement is properly addressed.

Strong Due Diligence Structures

Vista designs and implements robust KYC, CDD, and screening processes to help identify high-risk clients early and reduce exposure to financial crime.

Built for UAE Regulatory Standards

Our AML frameworks are developed strictly in accordance with UAE laws, Ministry of Economy guidance, FIU requirements, and sector-specific regulatory expectations.

Continuous Monitoring & Audit Support

We support ongoing transaction monitoring, internal AML reviews, and audit readiness so your compliance remains effective long after initial setup.

goAML Portal Expertise

We handle end-to-end management of the UAE’s goAML system, including registration, report submissions, and ongoing updates—ensuring accuracy and FIU alignment at all times.

Protection from Costly Penalties

Our proactive approach identifies compliance gaps before regulators do, helping you avoid fines, sanctions, and operational disruptions.

FAQs

FAQs on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance in the UAE

Under UAE AML laws, compliance is mandatory for all Financial Institutions and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs). This includes sectors such as real estate, precious metals and stones dealers, auditors, accountants, legal professionals, corporate service providers, and other regulated entities operating in the UAE.

AML registration involves enrolling your business on the UAE’s goAML platform and aligning operations with FIU and Ministry of Economy requirements. For regulated entities and DNFBPs, AML registration is compulsory and required to legally operate and submit suspicious transaction reports.

DNFBPs must implement a risk-based AML framework, including customer due diligence (KYC/CDD), risk assessments, sanctions screening, internal AML policies, staff training, record keeping, and timely reporting through the goAML system.

Non-compliance can result in significant fines ranging from AED 50,000 to AED 5 million, along with license suspension, business restrictions, reputational damage, and potential criminal liability depending on the severity of violations.

An AML risk assessment identifies your business’s exposure to money laundering and terrorism financing risks based on clients, transactions, geography, and services. It forms the foundation of a compliant AML framework and is often reviewed during regulatory inspections.

Yes. We provide full inspection support, including document preparation, compliance gap analysis, mock audits, regulator-ready reporting, and on-site or remote assistance to ensure smooth Ministry of Economy or supervisory authority inspections.

Need help staying AML compliant in the UAE? Speak to our compliance specialists today.