What is a company service provider under UAE AML law?
A company service provider, part of the trust and company service provider (TCSP) category, is a business that, on a commercial basis, provides certain corporate services to clients. UAE AML law treats such providers as DNFBPs because their services can be misused to obscure who really owns and controls a company.
The defined services include acting as an agent to incorporate or establish legal persons; acting, or arranging for someone to act, as a director, secretary or partner of a company; providing a registered office, business address or correspondence address for a company or arrangement; acting as a trustee of an express trust or in an equivalent role; and acting, or arranging for someone to act, as a nominee shareholder. Carrying on any of these for a client brings the provider into the AML regime with the full set of obligations.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Cabinet Resolution 134/2025, Article 3(5) — defines the activities of company and trust service providers as DNFBPs.
· Ministry of Economy, Circular 4 of 2021 — sets out AML obligations and supervision for company service providers.
For more details, consult the full text of Cabinet Resolution 134/2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.