Obtaining a Trade License in Dubai is the first step; maintaining it requires year-round adherence to strict Federal mandates that govern corporate transparency and international financial integrity. All Mainland and Free Zone companies are subject to ongoing compliance obligations, including Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Economic Substance Regulations (ESR). Failure to file these disclosures accurately and on time risks crippling fines, loss of corporate standing, and denial of license renewal.
FrankDigit Accounting Services provides a continuous compliance management service that monitors and executes all mandatory regulatory filings. Our commitment to Confidentiality, Transparency, and Integrity (CTI) safeguards your license and reputation by ensuring full, verifiable adherence to the Ministry of Economy (MoE) and Federal Tax Authority (FTA) requirements.
Every trade license holder in the UAE must comply with several mandatory, non-tax-related regulations aimed at combating financial crime and global tax avoidance. These must be completed and submitted annually, regardless of whether the company is profitable or active.
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO): All entities must identify and register the natural person(s) who ultimately own or control 25% or more of the company. This is a vital AML/CFT measure.
- Economic Substance Regulations (ESR): Entities carrying out a Relevant Activity (e.g., Holding, Shipping, IP) must annually notify the authority and prove they have genuine economic substance (adequate employees, expenditure, and management) in the UAE.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML): Businesses defined as DNFBPs (Designated Non-Financial Businesses & Professions) must maintain a mandatory AML framework, perform KYC checks, and monitor transactions.
We assume responsibility for preparing, submitting, and maintaining the necessary mandatory documentation required to keep your license active and compliant.
| Delieverable | How FrankDigit Delivers |
|---|---|
|
UBO Register Maintenance |
Meticulous identification and filing of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Register and Shareholder Register with the licensing authority (DED/FZA). |
|
ESR Notification & Report |
Assessing if your company performs a Relevant Activity and filing the mandatory annual ESR Notification and ESR Report (if required). |
|
AML Policy Implementation |
Developing and implementing the required Risk-Based AML Policy tailored to your sector (for DNFBPs) and assisting with goAML registration. |
|
Trade License Renewal Support |
Coordinating the required annual renewal process, ensuring all mandatory compliance certificates are current to avoid delays or license suspension. |
|
Record Amendment Filing |
Timely reporting of changes in company data (e.g., address, ownership, manager details) to the licensing authority to prevent fines. |
Failure in these compliance areas is treated severely, leading to direct financial consequences and operational disruption.
Failing to submit the mandatory ESR Notification incurs a penalty of AED 20,000. Failure to maintain an accurate UBO Register can result in escalating fines, potentially leading to the suspension of your Trade License. We mitigate this by building a compliance calendar that ensures all reporting is submitted proactively, confirming that your corporate structure adheres to the latest transparency regulations.
A company’s ability to operate legally is tied directly to its license status. We ensure all compliance filings are completed well in advance of the Trade License Renewal deadline. By handling these complex disclosures, we shield the directors from liability and ensure the company remains in good standing with government entities, safeguarding the essential permits required for visa issuance and bank operation.
We provide a continuous monitoring and execution process to keep your governance framework robust and transparent.
- Decode (Compliance Mapping): We map your corporate structure and business activity against all mandated regulations (UBO, ESR, AML) to define your specific filing schedule and obligations.
- Simplify (Document Preparation): We draft and submit the annual UBO Registers and complete all initial ESR Notifications, ensuring the information provided aligns perfectly with your Trade License and MoA.
- Automate (Monitoring & Filing): We establish continuous monitoring for any internal changes and ensure all subsequent mandatory filings and disclosures are completed on time, maintaining your company’s legal right to operate in the UAE.
Is your compliance structure protecting your license? Secure your right to operate in Dubai with expert regulatory adherence.
📞 Contact FrankDigit Accounting Services today for Trade License & Regulatory Compliance.