With the UAE’s Executive Office for AML/CFT ramping up inspections in 2025, licensed entities must demonstrate stronger KYC and AML controls. This article explores how regulated firms can implement privacy-first onboarding, continuous screening, and full audit-ability using iComply.
In 2025, firms regulated by the UAE Central Bank, Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) should expect heightened inspections and cross-agency coordination.
Who This Applies To
The UAE’s AML/CFT regime applies to a wide range of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), including:
- Real estate brokers
- Auditors and accountants
- Law firms
- Dealers in precious metals/stones
- Trust and company service providers (TCSPs)
- Crypto and virtual asset service providers (VASPs)
Licensed financial institutions – including payment firms, forex dealers, investment managers, and private banks – are also under close watch.
What Regulators Expect in 2025
Under the updated AML/CFT laws and EMLO directives, licensed firms are expected to:
- Perform customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD)
- Identify and verify beneficial ownership (UBO)
- Monitor for suspicious transactions and PEPs
- Conduct sanctions screening aligned with the UAE National Sanctions List
- Maintain audit-ready compliance records and risk assessments
Challenges Facing UAE Firms
1. Fragmented AML Systems
Many firms rely on disconnected tools that lack unified case management, increasing audit risk.
2. Manual and Offshore Data Processing
Non-local cloud providers may expose firms to data residency violations or delays in response time.
3. Regulatory Complexity
Multiple regulators with overlapping mandates mean firms must build systems that satisfy a range of agency expectations.
How iComply Supports UAE AML Compliance
iComply offers a unified KYC and AML platform built for global and local compliance—including full support for UAE-specific requirements.
1. Real-Time Identity and Entity Verification
- Edge-based KYC verifies natural persons and legal entities locally on the device
- No raw PII is transmitted unencrypted or stored offshore
- Supports Arabic documents and character sets
2. Continuous AML Screening and PEP Monitoring
- Screen clients and transactions against UAE and global sanctions lists
- Detect politically exposed persons and adverse media in real time
- Configure frequency and thresholds by client type and jurisdiction
3. UBO Discovery and Documentation
- Map complex corporate structures and nominee owners
- Collect and validate supporting documents with automated triggers
- Maintain evidence of CDD and EDD per risk category
4. Centralized Case Management
- Document onboarding, screening, investigations, and decisions in one secure portal
- Export audit logs for inspections by EMLO, SCA, DFSA, or ADGM
5. UAE-Compliant Deployment Options
- Host data within the UAE to meet local data sovereignty laws
- Full multilingual support, including Arabic
- Consent management and document retention controls included
Case Insight: Payment Processor in Dubai
A DIFC-licensed payments firm adopted iComply for KYC and AML compliance. Results in 90 days:
- Automated verification for 100% of onboarding cases
- Reduced average review time from 2 days to under 30 minutes
- Received positive feedback during DFSA audit with no findings
2025 Regulatory Outlook
- EMLO Inspections: Random and risk-based audits will intensify across sectors
- UAE Sanctions Enforcement: New alignment with international partners will expand list coverage
- Risk-Based Program Mandates: Regulators will expect documented risk assessments and justifications for CDD scope
Take Action
Whether you’re a VASP, DNFBP, or financial institution, the bar for AML compliance in the UAE has never been higher. Leading firms are already investing in scalable, privacy-first solutions.
Contact iComply to learn how our platform helps UAE-regulated entities stay compliant, secure, and audit-ready in 2025 and beyond.
