What is the deadline for filing a suspicious transaction report in the UAE?
UAE law does not fix a specific number of hours or days for filing a suspicious transaction report. Instead, it imposes a stricter standard: reporting entities must notify the Financial Intelligence Unit immediately and without delay once they suspect, or have reasonable grounds to suspect, that a transaction or funds are linked to a crime. In practice, without delay means as soon as reasonably possible after the suspicion crystallises, and internal approval layers should not be used to postpone submission.
Suspicion should be assessed and escalated promptly through the compliance function so that the report reaches goAML quickly, together with all available data on the transaction and the parties involved. Waiting to gather perfect information is not required; the report can be filed on the basis of reasonable suspicion and supplemented later if the FIU requests more. Delaying or failing to report can expose the entity and responsible individuals to criminal penalties.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 18 - obliges reporting entities to notify the FIU without delay and directly, providing a detailed report.
· Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 (Executive Regulations), Article 18(1)(a) - requires immediate notification without invoking secrecy, and prompt responses to FIU requests.
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.