# Do UAE businesses need a licence before carrying out financial or DNFBP activities? **URL:** \ **Category:** UAE\ **Tags:** compliance, aml\ **Created:** [July 20, 2026, 9:20am UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/do-uae-businesses-need-a-licence-before-carrying-out-financial-or-dnfbp-activities/1084 "2026-07-20T09:20:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 9:20am UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/do-uae-businesses-need-a-licence-before-carrying-out-financial-or-dnfbp-activities/1084/1 "2026-07-20T09:20:21Z")
Yes. No natural or legal person may carry out financial activities, designated non-financial business and profession activities, or virtual asset service provider activities without first obtaining a licence, registration or enrolment from the competent authority or the relevant supervisory authority. Operating without that authorisation is prohibited. The requirement is backed by criminal sanction. A person who breaches this licensing rule faces imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 200,000 and up to AED 10,000,000, or either penalty. This makes proper licensing the entry point to the AML regime: only once a business is authorised does it come under supervision and take on its due diligence, reporting and record-keeping duties. Anyone launching a regulated activity in the UAE should confirm the correct supervisory authority and complete licensing or registration before onboarding a single customer. **Legal Reference (UAE):** - [Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025](https://rulebook.centralbank.ae/en/rulebook/federal-decree-law-no-10-2025-regarding-anti-money-laundering-and-combating-financing), Article 20 — prohibits regulated activities without a licence, registration or enrolment. - [Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025](https://rulebook.centralbank.ae/en/rulebook/federal-decree-law-no-10-2025-regarding-anti-money-laundering-and-combating-financing), Article 32 — penalty of AED 200,000 to AED 10,000,000 for operating without authorisation. _For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer._ [A guide to anti-money laundering laws in the UAE](https://amluae.com/a-guide-to-anti-money-laundering-aml-laws-in-uae/) ---
**Author:** ![pathik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/pathik/32/5_2.png) [@pathik](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/pathik)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 9:21am UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/do-uae-businesses-need-a-licence-before-carrying-out-financial-or-dnfbp-activities/1084/2 "2026-07-20T09:21:24Z")
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**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/do-uae-businesses-need-a-licence-before-carrying-out-financial-or-dnfbp-activities/1084/3 "2026-09-10T00:00:22Z")
Yes. Article 20 prohibits any natural or legal person from engaging in financial activities, DNFBP activities, or virtual asset service provider activities without obtaining a licence, registration or enrolment from the competent authority or the relevant supervisory authority. Operating without that authorisation is a criminal offence, not merely a licensing irregularity. It is punishable by imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 200,000 and not more than AED 10,000,000, or either penalty. Where a legal person commits the offence through its representatives, directors or agents, the fine runs from AED 200,000 to AED 10,000,000. **Legal Reference (UAE):** · [Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025](https://rulebook.centralbank.ae/en/rulebook/federal-decree-law-no-10-2025-regarding-anti-money-laundering-and-combating-financing), Article 20: licence, registration or enrolment required before carrying on financial, DNFBP or virtual asset activity. · [Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025](https://rulebook.centralbank.ae/en/rulebook/federal-decree-law-no-10-2025-regarding-anti-money-laundering-and-combating-financing), Article 32: imprisonment and a fine of AED 200,000 to AED 10,000,000 for breach of Article 20; Article 27(2): the legal person fine. _For your own circumstances, check your internal AML policy or speak to your compliance officer._ [AML consulting services](https://amluae.com/aml-consulting-services-in-uae/) ---
**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/do-uae-businesses-need-a-licence-before-carrying-out-financial-or-dnfbp-activities/1084/4 "2026-09-27T14:36:39Z")