Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Services
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Services in UAE
HHS Lawyers provides anti-money laundering compliance services in Dubai and across the UAE for businesses required to meet AML/CFT obligations. We support financial institutions, DNFBPs, corporate service providers, real estate businesses, auditors, dealers in precious metals and other regulated entities with practical AML legal and compliance guidance.
Our team helps businesses build, review and strengthen AML frameworks in line with the updated UAE AML/CFT and proliferation-financing requirements. This includes AML/CFT policies, enterprise-wide risk assessment, KYC and customer due diligence, goAML and SACM registration, compliance training, audits and regulatory support.
The objective is to help your business identify risk, maintain proper AML records, meet reporting obligations and reduce exposure to regulatory penalties, inspection findings and compliance gaps.
- Drafting and reviewing AML/CFT policy manuals based on business activity and risk exposure.
- Assisting with goAML and SACM registration, compliance officer details and reporting procedures.
- Conducting enterprise-wide risk assessments, AML gap reviews and internal control checks.
- Supporting AML training, compliance audits, remediation and regulatory inspection preparation.
What Our AML Compliance Support Covers
AML compliance is not limited to preparing a policy document. A proper framework should show how the business identifies risk, verifies customers, screens high-risk parties, reports suspicious activity and keeps records for regulatory review.
- AML/CFT policy and procedure manual drafting
- Enterprise-wide AML risk assessment
- Business risk assessment and AML compliance gap review
- KYC, customer due diligence and enhanced due diligence procedures
- Ultimate beneficial owner identification and verification
- PEP, high-risk customer and sanctions screening support
- goAML and SACM registration support
- Suspicious Transaction Report and Suspicious Activity Report guidance
- AML training for employees, management and compliance officers
- AML audit, health check and remediation support
- Document preparation for AML inspections, notices and authority reviews
HHS Lawyers helps businesses turn AML requirements into a practical compliance framework that can be implemented, reviewed and supported with proper records during inspections, audits and regulatory queries.
Who Requires AML Services in the UAE?
AML compliance in the UAE applies to financial institutions and DNFBPs that handle client funds, high-value transactions, ownership structures or regulated professional services.
Key Sectors That Must Maintain AML Controls:
Real Estate Businesses
Brokers, agents and developers handling property transactions, source-of-funds checks and ownership records. Related real estate legal compliance support may be important for complex property matters.
Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones
Jewellery businesses, traders and dealers handling high-value goods or cash payments.
Accounting and Auditing Firms
Professionals handling financial records, company structures or client transaction support.
Legal Consultants and Notaries
Professionals assisting with property, company formation, asset transfers or client-money-related matters.
Company Service Providers
Businesses involved in company formation, nominee arrangements or ownership structures.
Virtual Asset Service Providers
Crypto exchanges, brokers and digital asset businesses handling wallet or cross-border transaction risks.
Commercial Gaming Operators
Gaming and payment-handling platforms where AML obligations apply.
Required Documents for AML Compliance in the UAE
To set up a proper AML compliance system in the UAE, the authorities usually ask for the following documents:
- Valid Trade License: A current trade license from the correct UAE licensing authority (Onshore or Free Zone).
- Compliance Officer Credentials: Emirates ID, passport copy, and CV of the appointed AML Compliance Officer who lives in the UAE.
- Ownership Documents: The Company’s Memorandum of Association (MOA) and a clear UBO Register showing the real owners.
- Internal AML Manual: A written AML manual that explains KYC, CDD, and how the business reports suspicious activity.
- Risk Assessment Report: A report showing the risks linked to the company’s products, services, customers, and transactions.
Corporate documentation requirements often align with notary and document authentication procedures.
Enquire NowAML Inspection and Regulatory Notice Support
AML compliance becomes urgent when a business receives an inspection notice, authority query or request for documents. At that stage, the company must show that its AML framework is properly implemented, properly recorded and actively maintained, not only written in a policy manual.
During an AML inspection or regulatory review, authorities commonly check AML policies, enterprise-wide risk assessments, customer due diligence files, UBO records, sanctions-screening checks, goAML status, training records, suspicious-activity escalation notes and remediation steps.
Where the review identifies suspicious transactions, fraud indicators, unexplained funds, beneficial ownership concerns or enforcement exposure, the matter can move beyond routine compliance. In those cases, the business should assess the AML issue together with any related financial crime risk before responding to the authority.
Speak to an AML Compliance Advisor
Why Choose HHS Lawyers for AML Compliance Services?
HHS Lawyers supports UAE businesses with AML compliance from both a legal and regulatory perspective. Our team helps review AML policies, risk assessments, customer due diligence records, sanctions-screening procedures, goAML reporting processes and internal controls so the framework is practical, documented and aligned with UAE AML/CFT requirements.
We also assist businesses that need to prepare for inspections, respond to authority queries or correct gaps before compliance issues escalate. This is especially important for DNFBPs, real estate businesses, corporate service providers, auditors, dealers in precious metals and other regulated entities that must maintain proper AML records and reporting procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions About AML Compliance Services in UAE
Who needs AML compliance services in the UAE?
AML compliance applies to financial institutions and regulated Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), including real estate businesses, auditors, accountants, corporate service providers, dealers in precious metals and stones, legal consultants, notaries, virtual asset service providers and other businesses exposed to financial crime risk.
What is the updated UAE AML law in 2025?
The UAE AML framework is now based on Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 and Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025, covering anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and proliferation-financing requirements. Regulated businesses should review their AML policies, risk assessments, customer due diligence, sanctions screening and reporting procedures in line with the updated framework.
What is goAML and do DNFBPs need to register?
goAML is the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit’s reporting platform for suspicious transaction, suspicious activity and other AML-related reports. Regulated DNFBPs must complete goAML registration where they fall under UAE AML reporting obligations and maintain access to the reporting system.
What documents are required for AML compliance in UAE?
Common AML documents include the trade licence, ownership details, UBO information, AML/CFT policy manual, risk assessment report, compliance officer details, KYC/CDD files, sanctions screening records, training records and suspicious transaction reporting procedures. AML-related records should generally be retained for at least five years.
What is an AML risk assessment?
An AML risk assessment helps a business identify money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation-financing risks based on its customers, services, transactions, delivery channels, ownership structure and geographic exposure. It allows the business to apply controls according to the level of risk.
What is the difference between CDD and EDD?
Customer Due Diligence (CDD) is the standard process of identifying and verifying customers, understanding the business relationship and assessing risk. Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) is a deeper review applied to high-risk customers, politically exposed persons, complex ownership structures or clients from high-risk jurisdictions.
Is sanctions screening part of AML compliance in the UAE?
Yes. Regulated businesses should screen customers, beneficial owners and relevant transaction parties against applicable sanctions lists. Screening should be performed during onboarding, ongoing monitoring and transaction review, with records showing how matches were checked, cleared or escalated.
When should a suspicious transaction be reported in the UAE?
A suspicious transaction or suspicious activity should be escalated and reported when the business suspects, or has reasonable grounds to suspect, that funds, a transaction, an attempted transaction or related activity is connected to money laundering, terrorism financing, proliferation financing or another financial crime risk.
What documents are checked during an AML inspection in the UAE?
During an AML inspection or regulatory review, authorities commonly check AML policies, enterprise-wide risk assessments, customer due diligence files, UBO records, sanctions-screening records, goAML status, training records, suspicious-activity escalation notes and remediation steps.
What are the penalties for AML non-compliance in UAE?
AML non-compliance can lead to administrative fines, regulatory inspections, remedial orders, business restrictions, licence-related action and legal exposure. The consequences depend on the violation, business activity, regulator involved, seriousness of the breach and whether the issue involves weak controls, reporting failure or suspected financial crime.
