CFT Compliance Advisory
CFT Compliance Advisory
RH and Hale Advocates & Legal Consultants provides CFT compliance advisory UAE and full AML CFT compliance services Dubai for financial institutions, DNFBPs and VASPs. Our practical guidance helps businesses meet obligations under Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 and Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 while reducing enforcement risk.
What Is CFT Compliance Advisory in the UAE?
Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) compliance advisory is a core element of the UAE’s AML/CFT/CPF system. It mandates organizations to recognize, assess, and control the risks of terrorist financing as well as money laundering and proliferation financing. Effective programs include enterprise-wide risk assessments, customer due diligence, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and reporting through the goAML system.
In the UAE, these duties are set by Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 and Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025. The Central Bank of the UAE, Ministry of Economy and Tourism, DFSA, FSRA, VARA, and the Financial Intelligence Unit expect risk-based, documented, and operationally effective controls.
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Why AML CFT Compliance Services Are Critical to Dubai Businesses
Strong AML CFT compliance in the UAE safeguards licences, banking relationships and reputation. Regulators have the authority to impose substantial administrative penalties (up to AED 100 million in more serious cases), impose personal liability upon compliance officers and impose increased supervision for compliance failures.
The Importance of AML CFT Compliance in Dubai
Ensuring strong AML CFT controls in the UAE protects your business licence, banking relationships, and reputation. Non‑compliance is no longer accepted by UAE regulators. Companies risk administrative fines up to AED 100 Million, personal liability for key compliance officers, and strict continuous supervision.
The CBUAE is actively enforcing their AML/CFT regulations. Simply having “paper‑only” risk policies is no longer sufficient. Businesses in Dubai need practical AML controls that work in real life and must be able to withstand an inspection or audit.
UAE Laws on AML & CFT Compliance
UAE AML/CFT compliance depends on the laws and regulations listed below:
- Federal Decree‑Law No. 10 of 2025: Main law on Anti‑Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism, and Proliferation Financing.
- Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025: Executive Regulations that explain how businesses need to follow AML/CFT regulations.
- Cabinet Decision No. 74 of 2020: Rules for terrorism lists and UN Security Council sanctions.
- CBUAE AML/CFT/CPF Guidance, sector rules issued by the Government of the UAE Ministry of Economy, DFSA, FSRA and VARA
All regulated businesses are required to implement a risk-based approach, document ownership transparency, conduct sanctions screening and register for goAML in order to report suspicious transactions.
Our CFT Compliance Advisory and AML CFT Services Dubai
At RH and Hale, we provide practical and simple solutions to match your business size and risk appetite:
Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment UAE
We review the risk throughout your customers, products, countries, and ways of doing business. You receive a detailed report with risk ratings and action points that the regulatory bodies approve.
AML Policies and Procedures UAE
We draft clear policies that your staff can actually use. These will explain roles, steps for customer checks, reporting problems and record keeping.
Customer Due Diligence CDD and KYC Framework
We design simple processes for customer due diligence, beneficial ownership, source of funds and screening for PEPs and sanctions.
Sanctions Screening UAE
We enable you to screen against UAE Local Terrorist Lists and UN lists. We also design detailed procedures for dealing with matches and record keeping.
goAML Registration UAE and STR Reporting
We support you through goAML registration with the FIU and help you decide when and how to file suspicious transaction reports.
MLRO Services Dubai and Compliance Officer Support
We help you appoint the MLRO or Compliance Officer and support them with advice or outsourced assistance under the current regulatory framework.
Independent AML Audit and Gap Assessment
We review your existing controls, identify the gaps and provide a clear roadmap to address them before your regulator visits.
AML CFT Staff Training
We train your board, senior managers and staff in plain English so they understand the risks and what to do when something looks wrong.
Industries We Serve
We offer guidance to regulated firms in key industries, including:
- Banks and financial institutions
- Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs)
- Real estate brokers and developers
- Dealers in precious metals and stones (DPMS)
- Corporate service providers and Trust and Corporate Service Providers (TCSPs)
- Accountants, auditors and legal professionals
- Insurance and investment firms
- Payments and fintech businesses
- Securities and brokerage firms
Where Compliance Challenges Commonly Arise?
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Why Choose RH and Hale for AML/CFT & CFT Compliance Advisory
RH and HALE prepare AML/CFT compliance plans or frameworks that work in practice, pass repeated inspections, and grow with your business. Our approach is not generic, it is designed for UAE regulators and UAE expectations.
We:
Align all frameworks to Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 and Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025.
- Document risk decisions to the standard required by CBUAE, Ministry of Economy, DFSA, FSRA, VARA, and the FIU.
- Create governance structures that ensure personal accountability for Board, MLROs, and senior management.
- Align transaction monitoring, escalation and goAML reporting with how the FIU actually examines submissions.
- Create programmers to the supervisory expectations of each UAE authority.
- Treat AML/CFT and CFT compliance as a continuous legal obligation, not a one-time documentation task.
Speak to CFT Compliance Advisory Team in Dubai
Protect your license, banking access and reputation with practical, UAE-specific AML/CFT and CFT compliance advisory. RH and Hale will provide you with confidential advice and clear next steps, leading to inspection-ready frameworks that are designed to your needs.
FAQs – Arbitration & Reconciliation in UAE
What is CFT compliance advisory in the UAE?
CFT compliance advisory helps businesses identify, assess, and mitigate terrorist financing risks while maintaining effective AML/CFT controls, including risk assessments, KYC, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and suspicious transaction reporting.
Who needs AML/CFT compliance services in the UAE?
Banks, financial institutions, DNFBPs, VASPs, real estate businesses, dealers in precious metals and stones, corporate service providers, auditors, legal professionals, fintech companies, and other regulated businesses may require AML/CFT compliance support.
What AML/CFT services does RH and Hale provide in Dubai?
RH and Hale provides enterprise-wide risk assessments, AML policies and procedures, CDD/KYC frameworks, sanctions screening, goAML registration and STR support, MLRO assistance, independent AML audits, gap assessments, and staff training.
Why is AML/CFT compliance important for UAE businesses?
Effective AML/CFT compliance helps businesses manage financial crime risks, meet regulatory obligations, protect their licences and banking relationships, and remain prepared for regulatory inspections and audits.
Can RH and Hale help businesses prepare for an AML/CFT inspection?
Yes. RH and Hale can conduct an independent gap assessment, review AML/CFT policies and controls, identify weaknesses, and provide a practical remediation roadmap to help businesses become inspection-ready.