Professional services
You are a DNFBP, whether you planned to be or not.
Law firms, auditors, corporate service providers and real-estate agents carry AML obligations, UBO duties and reporting deadlines that are audited.
What makes this sector hard
- DNFBP scope discovered after the obligation has started
- Ultimate beneficial owner registers and filing deadlines
- Suspicious transaction reporting through goAML
- Client confidentiality against reporting duties
The designated non-financial businesses and professions regime is the one most often discovered late. It applies by activity, not by size, and the registration and reporting obligations begin immediately.
The advisors establish whether you are in scope, then build the programme that the scope requires.
Where it applies
Where to start
-
Entering the UAE market
Onshore or a financial free zone — and what each one costs you.
The UAE is not one jurisdiction. Choosing between the mainland and a financial free zone sets your licensing route, your courts, your data rules and your tax position for years.
Learn more Entering the UAE market -
Licensing and authorisation
What you need permission for, and from whom.
Regulated activity in the UAE is defined narrowly and enforced literally. The expensive mistakes are the ones where a firm thought it was outside the perimeter.
Learn more Licensing and authorisation -
Building a compliance programme
Policies that survive an inspection.
AML/CFT, sanctions, data protection and conduct — drafted against the instruments that actually apply to you, not a template from another market.
Learn more Building a compliance programme
Other sectors
Put the council to work
Create an account and ask your first question in under a minute.
Najem AI produces analysis and drafts for internal use. It is not legal, tax, audit or investment advice and does not create a professional relationship.