What is a DNFBP ? 

A Designated Non-Financial Business or Profession (DNFBP) refers to a category of businesses that conduct specific activities which are internationally recognized as carrying a heightened exposure to money laundering (ML), terrorist financing (TF), and proliferation financing (PF) risks.

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Due to the nature of the services they provide—often involving high-value transactions, complex ownership structures, third-party arrangements, or the movement of significant funds—DNFBPs are considered higher-risk sectors from an AML/CFT/CPF perspective. As a result, entities classified as DNFBPs are legally designated as “obliged entities” and are required to fully comply with all applicable UAE AML/CFT/CPF laws, regulations, and supervisory requirements.

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This includes, but is not limited to, implementing robust internal controls, conducting customer due diligence, applying a risk-based approach, monitoring transactions, maintaining proper records, reporting suspicious activities, and ensuring ongoing compliance oversight in line with regulatory expectations.

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In the UAE, DNFBPs typically include the following categories of businesses and professionals:

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• Real estate brokerage firms

• Dealers in precious metals and precious stones (DPMS)

• Accounting and bookkeeping firms

• Auditing firms

• Law firms and legal practitioners

• Trust and Company Service Providers (TCSPs)

• Any natural person providing services that fall within the scope of DNFBP-regulated activities

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To be more specific, an entity or individual is classified as a DNFBP not merely by its business name or license, but by the activities it performs. The following activities, when conducted as a business or professional service, trigger DNFBP classification and the associated AML/CFT/CPF compliance obligations according to the UAE's cabinet resolution No. (134) of 2025 regarding the executive regulations of federal decree law No. (10) of 2025 regarding Anti-Money laundering, and combating the financing of terrorism and proliferation financing:

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1- Commercial Gaming Operators, including Commercial Gaming conducted on board vessels or marine craft, when conducting a single financial transaction or several transactions that appear to be linked and whose value equals or exceeds eleven thousand dirhams (AED 11,000). A financial transaction shall not include a transaction that solely involves gaming chips or gaming instruments.

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2- Real estate brokers and agents, when concluding transactions or settlements on behalf of their customers in relation to the purchase or sale of real estate.

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3- Dealers in valuable metals and precious stones, when carrying out any single cash transaction or several transactions that appear to be linked and whose value equals or exceeds fifty-five thousand dirhams (AED 55,000).

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4- Lawyers, notaries, other independent legal professionals, and independent accountants, whether practicing individually, as partners, or as professionals within a firm practicing such profession, when they prepare, conduct, or execute financial transactions on behalf of their customers in relation to the following activities:​

A. Buying and selling real estate;

B. Managing funds owned by the customer ;

C. Managing bank accounts, savings accounts, or securities accounts;

D. Organizing contributions for the establishment, operation, or management of Companies;

E. Establishing, operating, managing legal persons or Legal Arrangements, or selling, or purchasing commercial entities.

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5- Company and Trust Service Providers, when carrying out or executing any transaction for the benefit of, or on behalf of, their customers in relation to the following activities:​

A. Acting as an agent in the incorporation or establishment of Legal Persons;

B. Acting, or arranging for another person to act, as a director or secretary of a company, or as a partner or in a similar position in another Legal Person;

C. Providing a registered office, business address, place of residence, correspondence address, or administrative address for a company, any legal person, or a Legal Arrangement;

D. Acting, or arranging for another person to act, as a Trustee of an express Trust or performing an equivalent function for another form of Legal Arrangement;

E. Acting, or arranging for another person to act, as a Nominee Shareholder for another person.​​