Regulatory Compliance Services in the UAE
Reduce risk, stay compliant, stay competitive
Re/think provides regulatory compliance services to firms licensed in the DIFC, ADGM, DMCC and onshore UAE, regulated and unregulated alike. We handle authorisation, ongoing compliance monitoring, AML obligations and regulatory risk, and we do it from inside the jurisdictions we advise on rather than from a global template.
Most regulatory compliance consulting firms sit in one of two camps. Global networks apply a framework built somewhere else. Local boutiques know the regulator but cannot staff an appointment when you need one. We do both: 100+ authorisations secured in the ADGM and DIFC, and appointed officer mandates running today.
We make sure you fully understand your options and your obligations, whichever regime you sit in. That includes the UAE’s financial free zones, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where the rulebooks are most demanding, as well as DMCC and onshore entities. We give practical, tailored end-to-end solutions so that you can set up efficiently, meet regulatory and compliance standards, and focus on growing your business from day one. Where obligations are already live, that extends to internal and AML audits, remediation and compliance training for your staff and board.
Which regulator applies to your firm?
This is the question that decides everything else: your rulebook, your reporting calendar, your officer appointments and your penalties. It is also the question most compliance pages skip. Find your regime below.
| Where you are licensed | Your regulator | Typical activities | Key rulebook |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIFC | Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) | Financial services, funds, advisory and arranging | DFSA Rulebook, COB and GEN modules |
| ADGM | Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) | Financial services, funds, crypto and virtual assets | FSRA Rulebook, COBS and GEN |
| Mainland and onshore | Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA); Central Bank of the UAE | Securities, brokerage, payments and lending | SCA regulations; CBUAE circulars |
| DMCC | DMCC Authority | Commodities trading, general trading, some proprietary trading | DMCC company regulations, AML obligations |
| All of the above | Ministry of Economy; Executive Office for AML/CTF | AML, sanctions and UBO obligations regardless of regime | Federal AML Law and Cabinet Decisions |
If you operate across more than one of these, and many groups do, the obligations do not merge. Each entity answers to its own regulator on its own timetable.
Why firms choose a UAE team over a global network
A global consultancy will send you a compliance framework. It is usually sound and almost always generic, because it was written to work in twelve countries at once. What it will not tell you is how your DFSA supervisor actually behaves at renewal, or which FSRA submissions get queried.
We have been advising UAE firms since 2013 from offices in the ADGM, DIFC and DMCC. When the regulator writes to you, the person drafting your response has dealt with that team before. That is the difference between a framework and an outcome.
Our regulatory compliance consulting services
- DFSA and FSRA authorisation and licence variation
- Compliance monitoring programmes and annual plans
- AML, sanctions and UBO obligations
- Regulatory reporting and submissions
- Compliance risk assessments and gap reviews
- Appointed Compliance Officer and MLRO mandates
- Internal audit and AML audit
- Regulatory remediation after a supervisory finding
- Compliance training for staff and boards
Contact us today for a free consultation
Regulatory and Compliance FAQs
What is regulatory compliance in the UAE?
Regulatory compliance in the UAE involves meeting requirements set by authorities like ADGM and DIFC. Our compliance & regulatory services help you establish governance frameworks, manage risk, and avoid enforcement action.
Which regulator applies to my firm in the UAE?
It depends on where you are licensed, not where you operate. DIFC firms are regulated by the DFSA, ADGM firms by the FSRA, onshore securities and payments businesses by the SCA and the Central Bank of the UAE, and DMCC companies by the DMCC Authority. Federal AML obligations apply across all of them regardless of regime.
How much do regulatory compliance services cost in the UAE?
Authorisation projects are usually quoted as a fixed fee based on licence category and complexity. Ongoing compliance support is a monthly retainer scaled to your regulatory permissions and headcount. Appointed officer mandates are priced separately because they carry personal regulatory responsibility. We quote after a free scoping call rather than by the hour.
Do I need a compliance consultant or an appointed Compliance Officer?
A consultant advises. An appointed Compliance Officer or MLRO is a regulated function your licence requires you to fill, and the individual is accountable to the regulator personally. Many firms need both. If your permissions require an appointment and you have nobody approved, that is the more urgent of the two.
What’s the difference between regulatory compliance and outsourced compliance?
Regulatory compliance involves establishing systems to adhere to laws and regulations. Outsourced compliance refers to hiring external professionals to manage those roles. We offer both full compliance planning and outsourced support depending on your needs.
How long does DFSA or FSRA authorisation take?
Plan for three to six months from first submission to licence for a straightforward category, longer for fund managers, crypto and anything involving client money. The variable is rarely the regulator. It is how complete the application is when it first goes in, which is where most of the delay is created and avoided.
Can you assist with regulatory compliance beyond ADGM and DIFC?
Yes. We offer compliance services across both ADGM, DIFC, and wider UAE jurisdictions. Whether you’re at the licensing stage or already operating, we support everything from setup to long-term regulatory infrastructure.
What ongoing support is included in your compliance and regulatory services?
Our services include strategic advice, liaison with regulatory authorities, remediation, post-licensing operational support, and training to ensure your regulatory compliance framework is robust and scalable.
How does your regulatory compliance support help reduce operational risk?
We embed best practices like AML checks, structured training, and proactive monitoring tailored to your license type – helping you stay ahead of regulatory changes and minimise risk.
How do I get started with your regulatory compliance services?
Contact us for a compliance needs assessment. We’ll create a tailored roadmap – from licensing to ongoing infrastructure – and guide you step-by-step toward long-term compliance readiness.
Resources & News
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At a glance…
A trusted partner strengthening your commercial offering in the UAE
12
Years operating in the UAE
100 +
Authorisations in the ADGM and DIFC
68
Compliance Officer mandates
as of May 2025
41
Finance Officer mandates
as of May 2025
