Corporate Compliance in Dubai.

Corporate and Regulatory Compliance Services in Dubai

The UAE's regulatory environment has expanded significantly in recent years across multiple dimensions: anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT), data protection (DIFC Data Protection Law, ADGM Data Protection Regulations, and Federal DPL), Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) registration, Economic Substance Regulations (ESR), VAT compliance, and sector-specific regulatory requirements across financial services, healthcare, real estate and technology. Al Safar & Partners advises businesses on building and maintaining effective compliance programmes across all relevant regulatory requirements.

AML/CFT Compliance

Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering and Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2021 impose comprehensive AML/CFT obligations on designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) as well as financial institutions. Obligations include: customer due diligence, beneficial ownership identification, transaction monitoring, Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STRs) to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (UAEFIU), and staff training. We advise on AML compliance programme design, assessment and remediation, and represent clients in regulatory enquiries.

Data Protection Compliance

The UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection, effective from January 2022, applies to data controllers and processors operating in or from the UAE. DIFC and ADGM each have their own data protection regimes. We advise on privacy impact assessments, data protection policies, consent mechanisms, data transfer agreements, subject access request procedures and breach notification obligations.

Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Compliance

UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 58 of 2020 requires all mainland companies to maintain a UBO register and file UBO information with the licensing authority. Penalties for non-compliance are significant. We advise companies on their UBO obligations, assist in identifying beneficial owners, prepare registers and file required notifications.

Sector-Specific Compliance

Beyond these cross-cutting requirements, specific sectors face additional regulatory obligations: financial services (CBUAE, SCA, DFSA, FSRA), real estate (RERA), healthcare (Ministry of Health, DHA, DOH), and technology (TDRA). We advise on sector-specific requirements, represent clients in regulatory proceedings, and advise on the compliance implications of business changes and new products or services.