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Regulatory updates

Every UAE regulatory change, as it happens.

New rules, circulars, consultations and notices from UAE regulators, each summarised with who is affected and what to do. Collected by Arakan Lexara from the regulators' own websites.

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All regulatorsDubai Financial Services Authority (70)Federal Tax Authority (46)Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (27)Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM (22)Central Bank of the UAE (19)Ministry of Economy — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision (17)ADGM Registration Authority (10)DIFC Registrar of Companies (10)Federal (Cross-Regulator / Federal Decree-Laws) (2)Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (1)Dubai Land Department (1)Ministry of Finance (1)Real Estate Regulatory Authority — Dubai (1)Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (1)
  1. Ministry of Economy — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision15 Jun 2026Cabinet DecisionLow impact

    Cabinet Resolution No. (142) of 2026 Concerning the Definition of 'One Family' for the Purposes of Family Companies

    Confirmed via MOET's own 'Legislations' and 'Companies' Legislations' pages as defining 'one family' for purposes of family-company status/registration, relevant to family-owned regulated businesses' eligibility for family-company treatment under the Family Businesses Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 37 of 2022). LOW-CONFIDENCE DATE: the precise publication date could not be independently confirmed from a primary or dated secondary source within available research; the date shown is an estimate based on its position among other 2026 MOET decisions and must be verified against the Official Gazette / moet.gov.ae before compliance use.

  2. Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority12 Jun 2026GuidanceMedium impact

    VARA Publishes AML/CFT Business Risk Assessment Guidance

    VARA issued guidance setting expectations for how licensed VASPs should conduct and document their firm-wide AML/CFT business risk assessment, complementing the transaction/customer-level Rule III(D) guidance issued in November 2025.

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Updates are found automatically on regulators' websites and summarised by AI. Check the official source before relying on any item.

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Dubai Financial Services Authority
10 Jun 2026
Regulatory Notice
Medium impact

Dear MLRO Letter: UAE Proliferation Financing National Risk Assessment Report 2026

DFSA clarified how firms should integrate the UAE Proliferation Financing National Risk Assessment Report 2026 into their existing AML/CFT risk assessments.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority9 Jun 2026CircularMedium impact

    Business Continuity Measures Form v4 (6/2026) Update

    DFSA issued a further updated Business Continuity Measures Form (v4, 6/2026), required from all authorised firms regardless of prior notifications, due 16 June 2026.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority4 Jun 2026Regulatory NoticeHigh impact

    Dear SEO Letter: DFSA Regulatory Expectations on Artificial Intelligence Risk Management in the DIFC

    DFSA set out supervisory expectations for governance, accountability and oversight of AI implementation by DIFC firms, following its 2025 AI survey findings on rising AI adoption and governance gaps.

  • Ministry of Economy — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision3 Jun 2026Ministerial DecisionMedium impact

    Ministerial Decision No. (117) of 2026 on Standards, Controls and Accreditation Requirements for Valuers of In-Kind Contributions

    Establishes a mandatory central register of MOET-accredited valuers for non-cash (in-kind) capital contributions to UAE companies, requiring compliance with International Valuation Standards/RICS Red Book, conflict-of-interest bans, a 3-month data-currency limit and 6-month report validity, plus a 1-year transitional period for existing valuers — operationalising the in-kind contribution provisions introduced by the 2025 Commercial Companies Law amendment (MOE-2025-003).

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority1 Jun 2026Administrative NoticeMedium impact

    Publication of UAE Proliferation Financing National Risk Assessment (PF NRA) 2026 and Required Actions

    VARA circulated the UAE's 2026 Proliferation Financing National Risk Assessment and directed VASPs to incorporate its findings into their own proliferation-financing risk assessments and controls.

  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM21 May 2026GuidanceLow impact

    Guidance and Policies Manual (GPM) — Updated Edition

    The FSRA updated its consolidated Guidance and Policies Manual, its principal reference resource on FSRA regulation and supervision of financial services firms, reflecting the finalised AML framework enhancements and other recent policy changes.

  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM21 May 2026Rule AmendmentHigh impact

    FSRA Finalises Enhancements to its Anti-Money Laundering Framework

    Following Consultation Paper No. 1 of 2026, the FSRA finalised amendments to the FSMR and its AML Rulebook covering AML/CFT, counter-proliferation financing and sanctions compliance, aligned with updated federal laws and FATF standards. The FSRA stated the changes have minimal impact on existing compliance practices for most firms, but all Authorised Persons should confirm alignment with the updated rules.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority18 May 2026Regulatory NoticeMedium impact

    Dear SEO Letter: Update on Countercyclical Capital Buffer on Credit Exposures in the UAE

    DFSA provided an update on the applicable Countercyclical Capital Buffer rate for UAE credit exposures, relevant to banks' capital adequacy calculations under the PIB module.

  • Federal Tax Authority14 May 2026News AnnouncementLow impact

    FTA Corporate Tax Late Registration Penalty Waiver Initiative Beneficiaries Expected to Rise to 91,000

    FTA reports over 68,600 taxable persons have benefited from the Corporate Tax late-registration penalty waiver (available where the tax return is filed within 7 rather than 9 months of the first tax period end), applied retroactively to penalties incurred since 1 June 2023, with roughly 22,000 more taxpayers eligible.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority12 May 2026Rule AmendmentHigh impact

    Notice of Amendments to Legislation: May 2026 (CP167 – Basel Core Principles Alignment)

    DFSA finalised CP167 amendments aligning the rulebook with Basel Core Principles: new risk management function requirements for large/complex firms (GEN), Tier 2 capital and credit risk classification updates (PIB), and consequential Glossary (GLO) and Islamic Finance Rules (IFR) changes, effective 1 January 2027.

  • Federal Tax Authority10 May 2026News AnnouncementMedium impact

    Ministry of Finance Extends Accredited Service Provider Appointment Deadline for Large Taxpayers to 30 October 2026

    MOF extends the deadline for large taxpayers (revenue AED 50 million or more) to appoint an Accredited Service Provider from 31 July 2026 to 30 October 2026, citing market-readiness feedback and a desire for broader ASP choice; the underlying mandatory go-live date of 1 January 2027 for large taxpayers is unchanged. 32 ASPs were approved as of the announcement.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority4 May 2026Consultation PaperMedium impact

    Consultation Paper No 172 – Enhancements to the Islamic Finance Rules

    CP172 proposed updates to Islamic endorsement requirements, Takaful disclosures, and clarified the circumstances in which an Authorised Person is deemed to be conducting Islamic Financial Business.

  • ADGM Registration Authority1 May 2026Regulations AmendmentHigh impact

    Amendments to the Commercial Legislation (Foundations, Trusts, Beneficial Ownership, Companies, Commercial Licensing Regulations)

    The Registration Authority amended multiple commercial regulations: prohibiting foundations/trusts from non-profit-type purposes under AML rules, clarifying trust obligations under the Beneficial Ownership and Control Regulations, expressly prohibiting bearer shares, and updating Companies Regulations filing deadlines. Affects Distributed Ledger Technology Foundations Regulations 2023, Foundations Regulations 2017, Trusts (Special Provisions) Regulations 2016, Beneficial Ownership and Control Regulations 2022, Administrative Regulations 2025, Companies Regulations 2020, and Commercial Licensing Regulations Rules 2026.

  • DIFC Registrar of Companies30 Apr 2026Consultation PaperHigh impact

    Proposed Amendments to the Prescribed Company Regulations

    DIFC proposed removing qualifying-purpose restrictions on Prescribed Companies (broadening eligibility beyond aviation, maritime and IP-holding structures), mandating appointment of a Corporate Service Provider for most Prescribed Companies (with limited 'Exempt PC' carve-outs for government-, listed- or regulated-entity-controlled companies) with a 6-month compliance window and fines up to USD 100,000 for failing to provide CSPs required documents, expanding permitted asset-holding for funds/family offices, and tightening the prohibition on Prescribed Companies directly employing staff.

  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM30 Apr 2026Consultation PaperHigh impact

    Proposed Enhancements to the Anti-Money Laundering Framework of the FSRA

    The FSRA proposed enhancements to its AML/CFT, counter-proliferation financing and sanctions framework to align with updated federal laws and FATF recommendations. These proposals were finalised in May 2026 (see FSRA-2026-002).

  • Federal Tax Authority29 Apr 2026Public ClarificationMedium impact

    CTP010 – Clarification of the Terms "Director" and "Officer" under Article 36 of the Corporate Tax Law

    Clarifies who qualifies as a 'Director' or 'Officer' for Connected Persons purposes under Article 36 — based on actual decision-making authority rather than job title — affecting remuneration deductibility (AED 500,000 disclosure threshold), disclosure obligations and transfer pricing documentation.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority23 Apr 2026Regulatory NoticeMedium impact

    Dear Finance Officer Letter: Q4 2025 EPRS Return Corrections

    DFSA notified Finance Officers that Q4 2025 EPRS prudential returns contained errors and required corrections to be reflected in Q1 2026 submissions. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

  • Ministry of Economy — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision20 Apr 2026Cabinet DecisionMedium impact

    Cabinet Decision No. (59) of 2026 on the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. (36) of 2023 Regulating Competition

    Long-anticipated executive regulations for the Competition Law, replacing 2012-era rules, take effect 30 July 2026. They tighten merger-filing formalities (proof of fee payment, original-language documents), set formal 10+90 working-day merger review timelines, clarify dominant-position assessment criteria, and introduce a 15-working-day third-party objection window. Relevant to any MOET-regulated business undertaking M&A, joint ventures, or holding a dominant market position in the UAE.

  • Ministry of Economy — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision20 Apr 2026GuidanceMedium impact

    Supplemental Guidance for Trust and Company Service Providers (TCSP) — 2026 Edition

    Updated sector-specific AML/CFT/CPF guidance for trust and company service providers covering customer due diligence, beneficial ownership verification, ongoing monitoring and suspicious activity reporting obligations specific to entity-formation and administration services. Exact day within April 2026 is estimated from the document's stated version date.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority16 Apr 2026CircularMedium impact

    Business Continuity Measures Form v3 (4/2026) Update

    DFSA issued an updated Business Continuity Measures Form (v3, 4/2026) via the ePortal, required to be submitted by 22 April 2026. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

  • Central Bank of the UAE16 Apr 2026GuidanceMedium impact

    CBUAE Updates AML/CFT/CPF Guidance for Licensed Financial Institutions (Proliferation Finance, TBML, Correspondent Banking and CDD/KYC guidance, plus two best-practice manuals)

    CBUAE released an updated package of four AML/CFT/CPF guidance documents (proliferation financing, trade-based money laundering/transshipment, correspondent banking, and customer due diligence/KYC) together with two best-practice manuals on risk-based-approach methodology and role-based staff training, described by the Governor as aligning UAE supervision with FATF and international standards. Licensed institutions should refresh AML/CFT policies, CDD procedures and training programs to reflect the updated guidance.

  • Ministry of Economy — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision15 Apr 2026GuidanceMedium impact

    Supplemental Guidance for Independent Accountants & Auditors (IAA) — 2026 Edition

    Updated sector-specific AML/CFT/CPF guidance for independent accountants and auditors, developed from the 2024 National Risk Assessment and MOET's 2024 Sectoral Risk Assessment, refreshing risk-based CDD and reporting expectations for sole practitioners and firms. Exact day within April 2026 is estimated from the document's stated version date.

  • Central Bank of the UAE14 Apr 2026GuidanceMedium impact

    CBUAE FAQs/Guidance on Article 62 — Carrying on Licensed Financial Activities through Emerging Technologies

    CBUAE published FAQ-format guidance clarifying that Article 62 of Federal Decree-Law No. 6/2025 does not create new categories of regulated financial activity but ensures technology-neutral supervision across delivery channels, including Web3/decentralized systems, while confirming pure technology/infrastructure service providers are not directly regulated unless they perform licensed financial activities themselves. Entities have until 16 September 2026 (the law's one-year transition deadline) to adjust their activities/status.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority10 Apr 2026CircularLow impact

    Liquidity Risk Management Survey

    DFSA requested firms to report on liquidity risk management considerations via a dedicated survey. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority10 Apr 2026GuidanceMedium impact

    Thematic Review Findings – Fintech Compliance Arrangements

    Thematic review of fintech firms found 53% operate with three or fewer compliance staff and 58% outsource compliance functions, with governance gaps identified; signals expectation of stronger internal compliance resourcing at fintech firms. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority10 Apr 2026CircularLow impact

    Foreign Funds Marketing Survey (Article 54 Collective Investment Law)

    DFSA surveyed firms on the marketing/selling of foreign funds under Article 54 of the Collective Investment Law. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority9 Apr 2026GuidanceHigh impact

    Guidance on the Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook (Asset-Referenced Virtual Assets)

    VARA published non-binding guidance interpreting the Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook for Asset-Referenced Virtual Assets (ARVAs), distinguishing direct-ownership ARVAs (no reserve requirement) from stable-value ARVAs (full reserve regime) and requiring issuers to obtain a five-part legal opinion; it also flags potential dual-regulation with the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority for tokenised securities.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority9 Apr 2026Regulatory NoticeHigh impact

    Dear SEO Letter: Temporary Regulatory Relief Measures to Support the DIFC Community

    DFSA announced a package of proportionate temporary relief measures — adjusted authorisation timelines, governance flexibility, extended reporting deadlines and postponed regulatory projects — to support DIFC firms amid regional uncertainty.