Compliance & AML

The UAE has made anti-money laundering and regulatory compliance a national priority. Following significant reforms driven by FATF recommendations, UAE authorities now impose stringent obligations on a wide range of businesses — and the penalties for non-compliance, including substantial fines, licence suspension, and reputational damage, are very real. Dhoaa Al Shams helps you build a compliance framework that satisfies regulators, protects your business, and supports sustainable growth.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT)

Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) — including accounting firms, real estate brokers, dealers in precious metals, and corporate service providers — face some of the most demanding AML obligations in the UAE regulatory landscape. We help DNFBPs and other regulated businesses:

Establish a risk-based AML/CFT policy and procedure framework aligned with UAE Central Bank and Ministry of Economy guidance; implement customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) processes; register on the goAML platform and submit Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) accurately and on time; and appoint, train, and support a qualified Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO).

Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Reporting

All UAE mainland companies and many free zone entities must maintain an accurate Ultimate Beneficial Owner register and file notifications with the relevant authority. Failure to comply attracts substantial administrative penalties. We prepare and submit UBO notifications, keep your register current as ownership structures change, and alert you proactively when annual confirmation deadlines approach.

Economic Substance Regulations (ESR)

Companies conducting certain relevant activities — including banking, insurance, investment fund management, lease-finance, headquarters, shipping, intellectual property holding, and distribution centre operations — must demonstrate that their core income-generating activities are genuinely carried out in the UAE. We assess your substance levels, prepare and file ESR notifications and annual reports, and advise on how to strengthen your UAE operational footprint where required.