The 2026 International Company Formation Guide
A practical overview of choosing jurisdictions, structuring your company and opening international bank accounts.
FINANCIAL SERVICES & REGULATION · UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Businesses providing regulated retail payment services in the UAE may require Central Bank licensing depending on the precise payment activity, customer relationship and flow of fu...
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Businesses providing regulated retail payment services in the UAE may require Central Bank licensing depending on the precise payment activity, customer relationship and flow of funds.
Coutts Consultants coordinates uae payment services licensing coordination as a defined UAE professional-services engagement.
We begin by establishing the client's commercial objective and the correct federal, emirate, free-zone or financial-centre jurisdiction, then review payment activity, customer journey, flow of funds, licence category, capital, safeguarding, governance, AML, technology and operational resilience. The UAE is not a single generic company-formation market: licensing, premises, immigration, tax, banking and regulatory requirements vary materially by activity and authority.
We therefore structure the engagement around the client's actual business and coordinate the appropriate authority, bank or specialist provider. Reserved legal, tax, audit, immigration or regulated financial-services work is undertaken by appropriately qualified UAE professionals, and all licences, visas, accounts and regulatory approvals remain subject to the relevant authority or institution.
A genuine UAE offering with a defined commercial purpose
Mainland, free-zone and financial-centre options considered where relevant
Practical guidance on payment activity, customer journey, flow of funds, licence category, capital, safeguarding, governance, AML, technology and operational resilience
Coordinated UAE professional input
Clear post-completion obligations
Services that usually follow this one, available through Coutts in United Arab Emirates.
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Tell us what you are trying to achieve and we will confirm the right structure, what it requires and what it costs — before you commit to anything.
Discuss Your Banking RequirementsReference AE-EXP-055
A practical overview of choosing jurisdictions, structuring your company and opening international bank accounts.