Can money laundering charges expire under a statute of limitations in the UAE?
No. Under the UAE AML law, criminal proceedings for money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing do not lapse by prescription, the imposed penalties do not extinguish by lapse of time, and related or connected civil actions likewise do not lapse. In other words there is no statute of limitations for these offences.
This is significant for both enforcement and compliance. Historic conduct can be prosecuted regardless of how much time has passed, and confiscation of criminal property can be ordered even where the perpetrator is unknown, is not criminally liable, or where the criminal case has otherwise lapsed, provided the connection to the crime is established. For businesses, this reinforces why long-term record-keeping and accurate documentation matter: records may be needed to demonstrate compliance or defend a position years after the event.
Legal Reference (UAE):
ยท Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 37(2) - criminal proceedings and penalties for these crimes do not lapse by prescription.
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.