UAE's New Anti-Money Laundering Law Strengthens Compliance Requirements for Businesses

The UAE has implemented a comprehensive new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) law effective October 14, 2025, replacing the 2018 framework with stricter enforcement measures aligned with FATF standards. This shift signals the UAE's commitment to regulatory credibility and financial safeguards.

Key Changes
The new Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 introduces several significant changes that directly impact how businesses operate:

Extended Accountability: There is no longer any limitation period for AML offences. Authorities can investigate and prosecute violations regardless of when they occurred, requiring businesses to maintain comprehensive records and audit trails indefinitely.

Expanded Compliance Scope: Trustees, nominee shareholders, and commercial registries now fall under clearer compliance obligations. This broadens the regulated sectors and closes structural gaps in corporate ownership and asset control transparency.

Strengthened Oversight: The Public Prosecutor now supervises Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) powers more closely. Extensions for transaction suspensions and asset freezes require prosecutorial approval, creating a more rigorous decision-making process.

What This Means
Business owners and finance managers must recalibrate internal controls immediately. You'll need to upgrade digital-asset monitoring capabilities, integrate tax-linked risk indicators into AML systems, and establish clearer escalation protocols with board-level oversight. Further Cabinet regulations expected through 2026 will introduce more granular requirements for beneficial ownership verification and non-profit organization compliance. Starting now with robust governance and documentation standards will position your business ahead of these incoming requirements and protect you from enforcement action.