If your business falls under the UAE’s anti-money laundering rules, goAML registration UAE is not a task to leave for later. It is the gateway to reporting suspicious activity to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and without it you simply cannot file the reports the law expects from you. The good news is that registration is free and fairly simple once your documents are ready. This guide walks you through what goAML is, who must register, the exact process, login, deadline and penalties.
Quick answer: goAML registration in the UAE is a free, two-stage process. First, you pre-register on the FIU’s SACM portal to receive a username and secret key. Then you register your organisation on the goAML portal and wait for your supervisory authority to approve it. It is mandatory for financial institutions, DNFBPs and virtual asset service providers (VASPs).
What Is goAML UAE?
goAML is the online platform the UAE FIU uses to receive, analyse and share reports of suspicious financial activity. The software was developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and is used by FIUs in more than 60 countries.
You will also see it searched as “go AML UAE” or “goAML Dubai.” These all point to the same system. There is no separate Dubai portal; businesses across all emirates and free zones use the one run by the UAE FIU.
Is goAML Registration Mandatory in the UAE?
Yes, for every regulated entity in scope. The obligation sits within the UAE’s AML framework, now governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, which came into force on 14 October 2025 and replaced the earlier 2018 law, along with Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025. Because suspicious transaction reports must go through the FIU’s electronic system, registering on goAML is what lets you meet that reporting duty at all.
Who Needs to Register on goAML?
Three groups of “reporting entities” must register, regardless of their size or transaction volume:
- Financial institutions (FIs): banks, exchange houses, insurers and finance companies.
- Designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs): real estate agents and brokers, dealers in precious metals and stones, corporate service providers, lawyers and notaries, and independent accountants and auditors.
- Virtual asset service providers (VASPs): businesses licensed by VARA in Dubai or the relevant authority in ADGM or DIFC.
Many businesses that Shuraa Business Setup helps launch, such as real estate brokerages, gold and jewellery traders and corporate service providers, fall into the DNFBP category. If you are unsure about your own licensed activity, confirm with your supervisory authority before assuming you are exempt.
goAML Registration UAE Deadline
For entities already operating in early 2021, the Ministry of Economy’s deadline was 31 March 2021, later extended to 30 April 2021. That date has passed, but it does not close the door. Businesses that missed it can still register, and the practical rule for everyone else is simple: newly licensed companies should register once they receive their trade licence.
In other words, there is no “next deadline” to wait for. If you are in scope and not registered, the right time is now.
Documents Required for goAML Registration in UAE
Prepare these before you start, as missing documents are the most common cause of delay:
- An authorisation letter on company letterhead appointing the compliance officer (MLRO) to register on the company’s behalf.
- Passport copy, UAE residence visa and Emirates ID of the compliance officer.
- A copy of the valid commercial or trade licence.
- A mobile phone with the Google Authenticator app, linked to the phone number you register.
- A company email address that can receive messages from the FIU (ask your IT team to whitelist FIU domains).
A tip that saves time: merge the authorisation letter, trade licence, passport, visa and Emirates ID into one PDF, because the upload field accepts a single PDF.
How to Do goAML Registration in UAE: Step-by-Step
The process has two stages. Registering for goAML in the UAE means completing both before you can log in and file reports.
Stage 1: SACM Pre-Registration
- Open the FIU’s SACM registration page on the UAE FIU services website.
- Select “Reporting Entity” as the registration type and choose the correct supervisory authority for your licence.
- Enter your licence number exactly as it appears on the trade licence, and double-check the email address and mobile number, since one-time passwords go there.
- Upload your merged PDF, accept the goAML Portal terms and submit.
- Check your inbox for an email with an OTP and a link to your username and secret key. The OTP is valid for 24 hours, so complete this step the same day.
- Install Google Authenticator, add a new account named “goAML Portal,” and enter the secret key manually.
Stage 2: goAML Portal Registration
- Go to the FIU’s goAML login page and sign in with your SACM username. Your password is the 6-digit code shown in Google Authenticator.
- Click “Register as a New Organisation” and again choose “Reporting Entity.”
- Fill in your organisation details and the compliance officer’s details accurately. Fields marked with an asterisk are mandatory.
- Submit and wait. Your supervisory authority reviews and approves the application, after which the FIU emails you a unique Organisation ID. There is no fixed published turnaround, so start early.
goAML UAE Login: How to Access the Portal
Once approved, you log in through the FIU’s goAML portal in two layers. First, enter your SACM username and the current Google Authenticator code. Then sign in with the goAML username and password you created during registration. If you forget your password, use the “Forgot Password” option and a reset link will reach your registered email.
The compliance officer is usually the portal’s admin. From there, they approve new users, assign roles, and keep the organisation’s details up to date. Any change to those details is verified by the supervisory authority.
What Can You Report Through goAML?
Registration unlocks the FIU’s reporting types. Which ones apply depends on your sector:
- Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) and Suspicious Activity Report (SAR).
- Real Estate Activity Report (REAR) and Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Report (DPMSR).
- High-Risk Country reports (HRC and HRCA).
- Targeted financial sanctions reports: Confirmed Name Match (CNMR) and Partial Name Match (PNMR).
- Information requests and responses, including AIF and RFI.
Penalties for Not Registering on goAML
Failing to register is treated as an administrative violation. Published guidance based on Cabinet Resolution No. 71 of 2024 puts the fine between AED 50,000 and AED 200,000, which can be doubled for repeat violations. Your supervisory authority may also take further action, such as suspending your licence. Fine schedules can change, so confirm the current amount with your regulator.
The bigger risk is indirect. An unregistered entity cannot file an STR when it spots something suspicious, and the 2025 law raised penalties and put clearer responsibility on senior management.
How Shuraa Can Support Your Compliance Setup
Compliance is easiest when it is planned from day one. If you are setting up a new company in the UAE, the Shuraa Business Setup team can help you understand which regulatory obligations apply to your licensed activity, including goAML, and get your documents in order before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is goAML UAE?
goAML is the UAE FIU’s online platform for receiving suspicious transaction and activity reports from regulated businesses.
2. Is goAML registration free?
Yes. There is no government fee for goAML registration.
3. Can I register after the deadline?
Yes. The 2021 deadline has passed, but late registrations are still accepted. New companies should register after receiving their trade licence.
4. Who approves a goAML registration?
Your supervisory authority, such as the Central Bank, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the Ministry of Justice or VARA, depending on your licence.
5. Can I outsource goAML reporting?
Yes, reporting can be delegated to a third party that has its own goAML account, but your business remains responsible for compliance.
6. Is there a separate goAML Dubai registration?
No. Dubai businesses register on the same UAE FIU portal as everyone else.
