Free resource
UAE AML Inspection Readiness Checklist
A practical 20-point checklist for DNFBPs and financial firms preparing for a CBUAE, MoET, DFSA or FSRA inspection. General guidance only, not legal advice.
1. Governance
- Compliance officer (MLRO) appointed and registered with your supervisor
- Board-approved AML/CFT policy, reviewed recently
- Clear reporting lines and documented responsibilities
2. Business risk assessment
- Written enterprise-wide risk assessment covering customers, products, channels and geographies
- Assessment refreshed when the business or national risk picture changes
- Controls mapped to each identified risk
3. Customer due diligence
- Identity and beneficial ownership verified before onboarding
- Customer risk rating recorded for every client
- Enhanced due diligence for high-risk customers and PEPs
4. Screening
- Customers screened against UAE Local Terrorist List and UN sanctions at onboarding
- Ongoing re-screening when lists change
- Alerts reviewed, decided and documented with a clear audit trail
- Confirmed or partial matches handled under targeted financial sanctions procedures
5. Monitoring and reporting
- Unusual activity identified and escalated internally
- goAML registration in place and suspicious reports filed via the UAE FIU portal
- DPMSR / REAR reports filed where your sector requires them
6. Records and training
- CDD, screening and transaction records retained for the legally required period
- Records retrievable quickly on supervisor request
- Staff AML training delivered and attendance logged
- Independent audit or review of the AML programme
Get the printable version
Download a print-ready copy to work through with your team, and get a follow-up from our Dubai team about screening for your business.
- Print or save as PDF
- Tick off each point before your inspection
- Book a screening demo when ready