Anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and proliferation financing obligations in the UAE have become a comprehensive, enforcement-driven regime. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, which replaced Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018, designated non-financial businesses and professions face explicit risk-based obligations: enterprise-wide risk assessments, customer due diligence, UBO transparency, suspicious transaction reporting, sanctions screening and independent compliance oversight.
For businesses operating under this scrutiny, compliance has to move beyond documentation to demonstrable implementation. FinApt Group provides end-to-end AML, CFT and CPF compliance advisory built for the UAE’s current legal framework.
Our AML and CFT Compliance Services
AML Framework Design and Implementation Comprehensive AML, CFT and CPF compliance frameworks covering governance structures, board oversight, policies and procedures, internal controls, escalation protocols, reporting lines and accountability matrices. Aligned with UAE regulatory requirements and your operational reality.
Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment (EWRA) Structured, risk-based assessments across customer types, products and services, geographies, delivery channels and transaction profiles. A defensible risk-rating model with documented risk appetite alignment and proportionate mitigation strategies.
KYC, CDD and EDD and Sanctions Control Framework Onboarding and ongoing due diligence frameworks: risk-based customer classification, enhanced due diligence triggers, UBO identification and verification standards, targeted financial sanctions screening controls and record-keeping standards.
Independent AML Testing (AML Audit) Independent assessment of the design and operating effectiveness of your AML controls: governance, EWRA methodology, CDD and EDD implementation, sanctions compliance, transaction monitoring, STR reporting and internal oversight.
Regulatory Inspection and Remediation Advisory Preparation for supervisory inspections and Ministry of Economy reviews. We help draft regulatory responses and design structured remediation programs with defined ownership, milestones and board reporting oversight.
goAML Registration and Reporting Framework Setup Support with goAML registration, system configuration, user governance, workflow documentation and internal reporting protocols so your regulatory reporting is ready when it has to be.
STR and SAR Advisory and Escalation Protocol Design Structured suspicious activity identification frameworks, internal escalation matrices, decision-making documentation standards and defensible reporting protocols aligned with UAE FIU expectations.
Transaction Monitoring Oversight and Enhancement Review of monitoring methodologies, scenario design, threshold calibration, documentation practices and governance oversight to improve detection and reduce regulatory exposure.
Compliance Officer and MLRO Outsourcing Structured compliance leadership: program oversight, management reporting, regulatory liaison, monitoring of compliance obligations and continuous risk assessment review.
AML Training and Awareness Programs Tailored, role-based AML, CFT and CPF training for boards, senior management, compliance teams and operational staff. Stronger awareness means stronger compliance culture.
Who This Applies To
AML, CFT and CPF obligations apply across regulated financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions. Among others: banks and financial institutions, insurance companies and investment firms, securities and capital market participants, virtual asset service providers, real estate brokers and developers, dealers in precious metals and stones, corporate service providers and company formation agents, and auditors and accounting firms.
For DNFBPs in particular, supervisory expectations have increased significantly, with greater emphasis on enterprise-wide risk assessments, UBO transparency, sanctions compliance, STR reporting and demonstrable governance oversight.
Our Approach
AML, CFT and CPF compliance in the UAE is no longer documentation-driven. It is a governance discipline that requires demonstrable risk assessment, independent validation, effective implementation and continuous monitoring. Our partner-led model keeps frameworks proportionate, operationally practical and defensible under regulatory scrutiny.
Why FinApt Group for AML and CFT Compliance
- Built for the current law: frameworks aligned with Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 and its executive regulations
- DNFBP focus: advisory shaped for the businesses the Ministry of Economy supervises most closely
- Partner-led delivery: senior professionals involved from scoping through delivery
- Inspection-ready: frameworks designed to withstand supervisory review, not just to sit in a file
Frequently Asked Questions
Which businesses need AML and CFT compliance in the UAE?
Banks, insurers, investment firms, virtual asset service providers and a wide range of designated non-financial businesses and professions, including real estate brokers, dealers in precious metals and stones, corporate service providers and auditors.
What changed with Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025?
It replaced Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 as the UAE’s AML law, with updated executive regulations. DNFBPs now face explicit risk-based obligations around enterprise-wide risk assessments, customer due diligence, UBO transparency, suspicious transaction reporting and sanctions screening.
What is an enterprise-wide risk assessment?
A structured assessment of money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing risk across your customers, products, geographies, delivery channels and transactions. It is the foundation every other AML control builds on, and supervisors expect to see it.
Can you act as our outsourced compliance officer or MLRO?
Yes. We provide structured compliance leadership support including program oversight, management reporting, regulatory liaison and continuous risk assessment review.
Do you help with goAML registration?
Yes. We support goAML registration, system configuration, user governance setup, workflow documentation and internal reporting protocols.
How do I get started?
Get in touch for an initial consultation. We will assess where your current compliance framework stands and scope what your business needs under the current UAE framework.