What this area covers: FATCA / CRS in the UAE
FATCA / CRS is one of 6 parts of our “Compliance & AML” practice. It covers the full cycle from initial scoping to operational launch, run by a single named partner from our UAE practice.
What it is in the UAE: reporting and classification.
How we handle FATCA / CRS
The “FATCA / CRS” project in the UAE is structured as a 4-stage process run by a single named partner.
Regulatory program drafting, MLRO services, and examination preparation across FINTRAC, FCA, MAS, FIU, and CBUAE frameworks.
The same desk that runs FATCA / CRS handles your banking, bookkeeping, compliance and — where needed — your wind-down.INNOVA · Operating model
Why the UAE
The UAE is a strategic hub with a 9% corporate tax, Free Zone relief on qualifying income, and residency tied to the company structure. We work with every key zone, know the real banking onboarding timeline, and know how to avoid getting stuck on KYC requests.
A reliable regulatory environment
Banking ecosystem
Corporate tax 9% (0% on qualifying Free Zone income)
INNOVA represented on the ground
Why INNOVA
Operational differences that hold up on the 2nd, 5th and 10th project — not just at first impression.
One partner — the whole cycle
Registration, banking, tax, compliance, immigration — run by one team from start to finish.
14 years of practice
Working since 2012 through several regulatory cycles — including FATCA/CRS, the tightening of banking, and the introduction of UAE CT.
Regulator-grade documentation
Every output document is ready for audit and investor scrutiny — whatever the size of the deal.
Multi-jurisdiction within the group
Cross-border work is handled inside the group — no chain of external subcontractors.
How the work is structured
A 4-stage process led by a single named partner — from the intro call to the operational hand-over.
Risk assessment
Risk assessment across products, clients and geography
Program development
Manuals, training and control mechanisms
Regulator submission
Submission of the documentation to the regulator
Monitoring
Reviews, audits and keeping the program current
What we need from you · what you get from us
What we need from you to begin — and what you walk away with. We won't pester you with needless questions: we already have most of the answers.
- Activity / sector descriptionstructured
- Customer-base profiledocumented
- Geographic exposuremapped
- Existing controls (if any)stated
- AML/CFT risk assessmentregulator-ready
- Compliance manual + proceduresoperational
- MLRO appointednamed officer
- Training programme (annual)delivered
- Customer DD templatesready to use
- Sanctions/PEP screening liveautomated
Four ways to work together
We don't quote a fixed price without understanding your situation — cost depends on the complexity of your case. Start with an initial call, then we pick the right format.
Intro call
A 30-minute online consultation. We discuss your situation, define the project scope, and propose a structure and timeline.
Written analysis
A written consultation with a full review of the business — tax positioning, structure options, jurisdiction comparison, banking path. Turnaround: 5 business days.
Operating roadmap
For complex situations — multi-jurisdiction structures, regulated activity, founder relocation. A full plan with stages, dependencies, deliverables and timing.
Direct execution
You know what you need — we execute. No advisory mark-up and no discovery phase.
Fill in the questionnaire
Complete the online questionnaire: it creates your account on the portal, where your structure, renewal reminders and documents will live.
Fill in the questionnaire
4 steps · creates an INNOVA portal account · 24h review.
Once you submit the questionnaire we create a portal account. Inside: your live structure, a renewals calendar (annual returns, register updates, tax filings), a document vault (certificates, share register, bank letters), a partner chat and project status. A single place for your entire operational life.
From a client
A review from a client who went through a comparable project. Verified, the engagement is ongoing.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we're asked most often. If yours isn't here, an intro call is the fastest way to get an answer.
Most “FATCA / CRS” projects in the UAE run 4–5 weeks start to finish. The fastest stage is document filing; the longest is post-registration onboarding (banking, tax registration). A single named partner runs the project throughout.
From US$ 6,500 · program development. The lower bound is for clean, standard profiles; the upper bound is for complex ownership structures, multi-jurisdiction projects or regulated activity. A fixed quote follows a 30-minute scoping call.
In most cases, no. The entire process runs remotely under a notarised power of attorney. A handful of jurisdictions require an in-person visit (typically biometrics for a residence permit) — we plan those as efficiently as possible.
Every UAE business classed as a Designated Non-Financial Business or Profession (DNFBP) under Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 must run a written AML/CFT program. It includes customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) procedures, screening against UN, EU, and UAE sanctions lists, suspicious transaction reports to the FIU via goAML, and an annual risk assessment. Financial institutions additionally need a CBUAE licence. We build the program around your profile.
AML/CFT oversight in the UAE is split across regulators: the Central Bank (CBUAE) covers banks and payment services, the SCA covers investment firms, VARA covers virtual asset providers, and the Ministry of Economy covers DNFBPs (real estate, gold, precious metals, lawyers, accountants). Every Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) goes to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) at the Ministry of Finance via the goAML system. We hold the regulator map for you.
The DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) regulates financial services inside the DIFC — banking, insurance, capital markets, fund management. VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority), established in 2022, holds mandatory jurisdiction over all virtual asset activity in Dubai except the DIFC. The DFSA runs its own crypto framework for DIFC firms; VARA covers the rest of Dubai and every emirate except Abu Dhabi, where ADGM/FSRA applies. We set the licence perimeter up front.
FATCA / CRS in other countries
The same service — in every jurisdiction we run. One desk, one standard.
