Educational guide to UAE regulatory requirements for international business payments. Learn about Central Bank of UAE compliance, licensing categories, and documentation requirements.
CBUAE licensed exchange houses in UAE
Category 1 and Category 2 licensing tiers
Minimum record retention requirement
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) is the primary financial regulatory authority in the UAE, responsible for overseeing all monetary and banking activities, including foreign exchange operations. For businesses making international payments, understanding CBUAE requirements is essential. Learn more in our UAE Business Payments Guide.
Full Authorization - Highest Level
Limited Authorization
For business FX services, Category 1 licensed providers offer full authorization for all payment types. See our SME Payment Solutions guide for more details.
Valid and current trade license issued by relevant UAE authority
Certificate of incorporation or business registration
Board resolution with authorized signatories for transfers
UAE bank account statements (last 3-6 months)
Valid Emirates ID of authorized signatory
Valid passport with UAE residence visa
For employed individuals (if applicable)
For trade payments - detailed invoice with goods/services description
For service payments - contract or agreement
Official purchase order or work order
Complete recipient information and bank details
Licensed providers can guide you through documentation requirements to help ensure your files meet CBUAE standards. For information on associated costs, see our Business Payment Fees Guide.
Gather all required company, personal, and transaction documentation as per CBUAE guidelines.
Licensed provider conducts Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering verification procedures.
CBUAE licensed provider reviews transaction against regulatory requirements and risk parameters.
Upon compliance approval, transfer is processed according to CBUAE guidelines and reporting requirements.
Document review time depends on completeness
Typical new client onboarding timeframe
Based on documentation, verification, and regulatory review
For SME-specific guidance, see our SME Payment Solutions page.
Stricter customer identification and verification procedures for business accounts.
Increased adoption of digital channels and electronic documentation acceptance.
Elevated cybersecurity and data protection requirements for all licensed providers.
LeoCompare connects UAE businesses with licensed payment providers. Request a quote to explore your options for compliant cross-border payments.
LeoCompare is a technology platform that partners with licensed providers. We do not offer or process regulated financial services directly.
LeoCompare is a financial technology platform that partners with licensed providers.
Using unlicensed providers violates UAE regulations and puts your business at risk. You may face penalties, have no recourse for disputes, and risk losing funds. Always verify CBUAE licensing before engaging any FX provider.
Check the official CBUAE website for the licensed institutions list, or ask the provider for their license number. Licensed providers will readily share this information and display their licensing status prominently.
Non-compliance can result in fines, transaction delays, account freezing, and in severe cases, legal action. Working with licensed providers helps ensure compliance and protects your business from regulatory issues.
UAE regulations require keeping transaction records for at least 5 years. This includes all supporting documents, compliance certificates, and communication records. Licensed providers typically maintain these records as well.
Yes, regulations can change. Working with experienced, licensed providers helps ensure you stay updated on regulatory changes and maintain compliance without disrupting your business operations.
All regulatory and compliance information on this page is based on publicly available guidance from:
LeoCompare is a technology platform that partners with licensed providers. We do not offer or process regulated financial services directly. All payment services are provided by CBUAE-licensed institutions.