Get AML Compliant In The UAE
If you run a business in real estate, precious metals, corporate services, accounting, law, or crypto, the UAE’s anti-money laundering rules probably apply to you, whether or not anyone’s told you yet. We help businesses become AML compliant in UAE through registration, risk assessment, MLRO support, and the ongoing paperwork that keeps you compliant not just registered.
Do You Need AML Compliance in the UAE?
Tell us what your business does, no obligation, same-day response.
What Is Anti Money Laundering (AML) Compliance In UAE?
Anti-money laundering (AML) is a set of checks and controls that stop criminals from passing off illegal money as legitimate business income. In the UAE, AML/CFT rules (anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, now also covering proliferation financing) require regulated businesses to assess risk, verify customers, monitor activity and report anything suspicious to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) through goAML.
Businesses need AML compliance for one simple reason: skipping it means fines, licence risk and personal liability for owners and managers.Read More
Scope Of AML/CFT In UAE
AML/CFT Obligations Will Apply To:
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Financial Institutions (FIs): Onshore and financial free zones (DIFC, ADGM).
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DNFBPs: Real estate brokers, dealers in precious metals/stones, auditors, corporate service providers, and legal consultants.
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Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs): Regulated by VARA in Dubai, SCA, or FSRA in ADGM.
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Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs): And charitable entities operating in the UAE.
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Government-Owned Entities: Conducting commercial activities falling under AML law.
Key Supervisory Authorities:
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EO-AML/CFT
Executive Office: National coordinator reporting to the UAE Cabinet.
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FIU
Financial Intelligence Unit: Central agency receiving and analyzing STRs/SARs.
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CBUAE
Central Bank: Supervises banks, exchange houses, insurers, and finance companies.
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MOE
Ministry of Economy: Supervises DNFBPs and manages the goAML portal.
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SCA / VARA
Free Zones & Virtual Assets: DFSA, FSRA, SCA, and VARA regulatory bodies.
AML Does Not Apply To:
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Transactions between related entities within the same licensed group (non-regulated activities).
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Employment income, government salaries, and social security payments.
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Low-risk transactions explicitly exempted under simplified CDD (subject to documented risk assessment).
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Purely internal bookkeeping entries with no customer-facing transactional element.
UAE AML LAW UPDATE
Anti Money Laundering In UAE: Update Your Policy For The New Law
The UAE replaced its AML law in October 2025. Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 now governs anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and proliferation financing in the UAE.
Does your AML policy still quote the 2018 law? Inspectors now check against the new one. Time to update it.
Review My AML Policy
Tax24 updates your AML policy, risk assessment and MLRO setup to the new law. It’s why the AML services in UAE businesses rely on need to start from the current law.
5 Changes Every UAE Business Should Know
Crypto laundering is now named in the law. Using crypto, digital systems or encryption to hide illegal money is now clearly listed as money laundering.
Criminal penalties are tougher. Administrative fines for compliance failures stay at AED 50,000 to AED 1,000,000 per violation, set by Cabinet Resolution No. 71 of 2024.
It's easier to be held liable. Prosecutors don't need to prove you knew the money was illegal. Weak controls alone can put your business at risk.
Owners and managers are now responsible. Senior management must approve the AML policy and keep an eye on high-risk clients. It's no longer just the compliance officer's job.
New rules are already in force. Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 replaced the old 2019 rules on 14 December 2025, so how you comply day to day has changed too.
The 6 Pillars of AML Compliance Services In UAE
01
Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment
Document a risk-based assessment of your customers, products, delivery channels, and jurisdictions. Refresh annually or on material change.
02
AML/CFT Policies & Procedures
Board-approved policy manual covering CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, record-keeping, STR/SAR reporting, and whistleblower protections.
03
MLRO Appointment
Designate a qualified Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) / Compliance Officer with direct reporting to senior management.
04
KYC & Customer Due Diligence
Identify & verify customers, UBOs (≥25% ownership), PEPs, and sanctions exposure. Apply Enhanced Due Diligence for high-risk relationships.
05
Ongoing Monitoring & Reporting
Screen transactions & customers against UN, UAE Cabinet, and OFAC sanctions lists. File STR / SAR on goAML without delay when suspicious.
06
Training & Independent Audit
Annual AML training for all staff (documented). Independent AML audit at least every 2 years to test the control framework.
Administrative Penalties for Non-Compliance
| Violation | Administrative Fine |
|---|---|
| Failure to register on the goAML portal | AED 50,000 (first time) — up to AED 1,000,000 |
| Failure to implement written AML/CFT policies & procedures | AED 50,000 – AED 200,000 |
| Failure to appoint a qualified Compliance Officer / MLRO | AED 50,000 – AED 100,000 |
| Failure to conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD) or keep CDD records | AED 50,000 – AED 1,000,000 |
| Failure to file a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR/SAR) | AED 100,000 – AED 1,000,000 |
| Failure to conduct sanctions screening against UN/UAE lists | AED 50,000 – AED 5,000,000 |
| Dealing with a sanctioned party (targeted financial sanctions breach) | Up to AED 50,000,000 + criminal liability |
| Failure to maintain records for 5 years (minimum retention period) | AED 50,000 – AED 200,000 |
AML Compliance Packages
End-to-end AML/CFT support for DNFBPs and financial institutions in the UAE —
from goAML registration through annual audit.
AML Starter
Features:
- goAML & SACM registration
- Business Risk Assessment (BRA) template
- Basic AML Policy & Procedure manual
- UBO Declaration filing assistance
+ Upgrade Available:
with MLRO outsourcing
AML Essentials
Features:
- goAML & SACM registration
- Tailored Business Risk Assessment (BRA)
- Full AML/CFT Policy & Procedure Manual
- KYC / CDD forms & templates
- Annual AML training (1 session, up to 10 staff)
- UBO Declaration filing
+ Upgrade Available:
with outsourced MLRO
AML Enterprise
Features:
- goAML & SACM registration
- Enterprise-wide Risk Assessment
- Board-approved AML/CFT Policy Manual
- Outsourced MLRO service (annual)
- Sanctions screening system setup
- Quarterly AML training for all staff
- Independent AML audit (bi-annual)
+ Upgrade Available:
with transaction
monitoring software
Monthly MLRO
Retainer
Features:
- Dedicated outsourced MLRO
- Monthly compliance review
- STR / SAR filing assistance on goAML
- Sanctions screening support
- Regulatory correspondence handling
Quarterly
Compliance Review
Features:
- Quarterly AML health check
- KYC/CDD file review (sample)
- Policy & procedure refresh
- Training refreshers for staff
- Regulatory circular summaries
Annual AML
Audit
Features:
- Independent AML/CFT audit report
- Control effectiveness testing
- Gap analysis & remediation plan
- Management letter & board presentation
- Readiness for MOE / CBUAE inspections
UBO Declaration
& Filing
Features:
- UBO determination (≥25% threshold)
- UBO register preparation
- Filing with licensing authority
- Annual UBO refresh
Sanctions
Screening Setup
Features:
- UN, UAE & OFAC list integration
- Real-time screening tool deployment
- Alert handling workflow
- Escalation & documentation templates
AML Training &
Workshops
Features:
- Role-based AML training programs
- Red flag indicator workshops
- STR/SAR drafting masterclass
- Certificates of completion
Why Choose Tax24 for AML Compliance In UAE?
Our Anti Money Laundering Services in UAE are designed to reduce your risk and protect your licence.
Multi-emirate coverage.
We work across Dubai, Ajman, and Sharjah, so you get a team that understands compliance requirements across emirates, not just one city.
Current with the law.
We work from the 2025 legal framework, not outdated 2018/2019 references still floating around online.
End-to-end service.
From goAML registration to MLRO services, monitoring, and audits, one team handles it all. No juggling five vendors.
Practical, not just paperwork.
We build AML programs your team can actually follow day to day, not binders that sit unused until inspection day.
Affordable pricing.
Transparent fees with packages that fit small and mid-size firms.
Clear communication.
No jargon, just plain steps you can follow.
How We Get You Compliant
Tell us what your business does.
A short call to confirm whether you're covered and which category you fall into.
We assess your risk.
A written risk assessment specific to your customers, transactions, and location.
We register you and write your policy.
goAML, SACM, and a board-ready AML/CFT policy manual.
We keep you compliant going forward.
Training, screening, and reviews, so this doesn't become a fire drill next year.
Your Questions Answered, Your Experience Made Easier
What is the current anti money laundering law in UAE?
Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, in force since 14 October 2025. It replaced Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018. Its executive regulations are Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025, in force since 14 December 2025.
Who supervises AML compliance for DNFBPs in the UAE?
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism, through its Anti-Money Laundering Department, for DNFBPs on the mainland and in commercial free zones. Lawyers and notaries are supervised by the Ministry of Justice.
Does AML apply to small businesses?
Yes, if your activity is in scope. AML duties depend on what your business does, such as real estate brokerage, precious metals trading or company formation, not on its size or turnover.
What is SACM and why do I need it for goAML?
SACM (Service Access Control Manager) is the UAE FIU’s secure login system. You register on SACM first, then use those credentials to register your business on the goAML Portal.
What is the difference between an STR and a SAR?
An STR reports a specific suspicious transaction. A SAR reports suspicious activity or behaviour that may not involve a completed transaction. Both are filed through goAML.
What is the fine for not registering on goAML?
AED 50,000 to AED 200,000 under Cabinet Resolution No. 71 of 2024, and it can be doubled for repeat violations.
How often should we update our AML risk assessment?
Whenever your risks change, such as a new product, a new customer type, a new Ministry circular on high-risk countries or a change in the law, and at least once a year as good practice.
What do AML services in UAE usually include?
SACM and goAML registration, risk assessments, AML policies, MLRO support, KYC/CDD processes, sanctions screening, STR/SAR and sector reporting support, training and independent audits. Tax24 offers these as packages or individually.
Don't wait for an inspection to find the gap
Fines start at AED 50,000 per violation and the new law makes them easier to prove. Tell us what your business does over WhatsApp, and we’ll tell you exactly where you stand, the same day.
