UAE compliance guide
KYB in the UAE: verifying companies and UBOs
How to verify a UAE company: trade license checks, mainland and free zone registries, ultimate beneficial owners, directors and screening of the people behind the entity.
Short answer
KYB in the UAE means confirming a company exists and is licensed, mapping its ownership to the ultimate beneficial owners, verifying its directors and signatories, and screening every one of them. UAE companies are registered either on the mainland or in one of the free zones, each with its own registry.
Last reviewed by the ITSEC compliance team. General information, not legal advice.
What documents are used to verify a UAE company?
The trade license, the memorandum or articles of association, the shareholder register, and identity documents for directors, signatories and beneficial owners.
Who counts as an ultimate beneficial owner?
The natural person who ultimately owns or controls the entity, reached by walking the ownership chain through any intermediate companies. Check your regulator's rulebook for the ownership threshold that applies.
Why are free zones different?
Free zone companies are licensed by the free zone authority rather than a mainland economic department, so registry evidence comes from a different source. Financial free zones (DIFC and ADGM) also have their own regulators.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to screen directors as well as UBOs?
- Yes. Directors, signatories and beneficial owners should all be identified and screened against sanctions and PEP lists as part of KYB.
- How often should KYB be refreshed?
- At an interval set by the customer's risk rating, and whenever ownership, directors or license status change.
Official sources
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