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Payment Service Provider License in the UAE- An Overview

Enterslice helps companies seeking a payment service provider license in the UAE by providing expert guidance on navigating regulatory approval, establishing a compliance framework, and liaising with the Central Bank and relevant authorities.

Our key services include providing effective advisory on business structuring, risk mitigation, AML policy drafting, and tech compliance. We ensure alignment with PSP regulations, standards, and reporting obligations in the UAE.

We support non-resident applicants like you with application submission, coordination assistance with the authorities, responding to queries, and post-registration support. Get started with Enterslice to connect with top banking/fintech solutions.

5% VAT Rate-Lowest in the Gulf

Access to the Dubai International Financial Center

100% Foreign Ownership Allowed

Dedicated Compliance Manager for Each Client

Affordable Lease Solutions

100% Repatriation Allowed

Simplified Digital Licensing

No Local Director Required

9% Corporate Tax Rate in the Mainland

UAE Fintech Sector (to reach $5.71 Bn by 2029)

Get a UAE Payment Service Provider License with Enterslice

Secure a UAE payment service provider license and enter the fintech industry with the lowest tax rates and zero restrictions on profit repatriation.

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What are the Benefits of Enterslice’s Services for a PSP License in the UAE?

The benefits of Enterslice’s services for a PSP license in the UAE include ease of licensing, reduction of operational costs, and seamless compliance management. Key advantages are as follows:

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Streamlined Entry

With our support, you will be able to navigate the complex regulatory process for final approval and launch your services within weeks, rather than months.

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Enhanced Regulatory Compliance

Our consultants help businesses in establishing and managing the AML, CFT, and KYC compliance in line with the CBUAE regulations to ensure you don’t incur any penalties after obtaining the payment service provider license in the UAE.

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Quick Banking Partnerships

Once you get on board with Enterslice for a PSP license in the UAE, we’ll help you get access to pre-integrated financial institution networks, streamlining your launch process.

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Focus on Core Business Functions

By delegating the repetitive and automation heavy compliance to us, you can focus on core business like product development, marketing, and consumer experience after obtaining the PSP fintech license in the UAE.

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Fewer Operational Costs

You can save a lot of money by assigning administrative, legal, and regulatory compliance functions to us instead of investing in hiring more professionals, training, and tech solutions.

 

Want us to handle your MCA compliance?

What are the Mandatory Documents for the Payment Service Provider License in the UAE?

The list of documents required for the payment service provider license in the UAE is as follows:

Application Form

Memorandum of Association

Articles of Association

A copy of the trade/service license

Passport copies of all directors and shareholders

A detailed business plan with financial projections

Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing policies

Proof of the required capital deposit

Risk management plan

Tech infrastructure and IT security audit documentation

A copy of the professional indemnity insurance (if required)

 

Do you need assistance with complex documentation?

How to Apply for Payment Service Provider License in the UAE With Enterslice?

Check out how Enterslice’s consultants will help you to apply for the payment service provider license in the UAE, as explained below:

Initiate Consultation and Choose a Jurisdiction

Once you contact us, we’ll help you select a jurisdiction between the mainland, Abu Dhabi Global Market, and Dubai International Financial Centre based on your capital availability and target market.

Select Activities

In the next step, we’ll help you decide on the type of activities under the PSP license in the UAE. Common activities include payment initiation, aggregation, digital wallet, money remittance, and merchant acquiring.

Incorporate the Company

Our associates will assist you in registering your legal entity either in the mainland or the ABGM/DIFC Free Zone, obtaining a physical office space, and appointing key managerial personnel like a director and compliance officer.

Capital Adequacy Check

Once you’ve decided on the relevant activities under the payment service provider license in the UAE, you should check if you have the required funds for the initial capital deposit. The requirement varies by the choice of jurisdiction & services, ranging from USD 10,000 to USD 2 million.

Documentation

Our associates will help you prepare a detailed business plan, organizational structure, financial projections, corporate governance framework, and AML/CFT policies. The associates will also assist you in preparing data security, risk management, and tech infrastructure policies.

Online Application Filing

We'll submit the application with supporting documents like the license paperwork and shareholder/director information, with required fees, to the regulator for the UAE payment service provider license approval.

Examination by the Authority

The regulator will review your application to check the financial feasibility of your business model, review your policies, and perform a fit & proper test on your directors/promoters before granting the in-principle approval.

Set up a Secure Tech Infrastructure

Once you’ve obtained the initial approval, we’ll help you implement payment systems, connect with banks/networks, appoint key personnel, and conduct audits on the IT systems.

Grant of License

The regulators, including the CBUAE, DFSA, or FSRA, will evaluate the readiness of your secure systems before granting the payment service provider license in the UAE. In the meantime, we’ll coordinate with them in case they have any concerns regarding your application to expedite the approval.

 

Confused about the complex procedure of the PSP license in the UAE?

What is the Timeline for Obtaining the UAE Payment Service Provider License?

The timeline for obtaining the UAE payment service provider license is as follows:

Preliminary Preparation: 4 to 7 Weeks

Select your activities, register a company in the Mainland/Financial Free Zones, and deposit the capital before filing an application for the payment service provider license in the UAE.

Prepare Documents and Plan Tech Infrastructure: 1 to 2 Weeks

Make a business model, project finances, prepare AML, CFT, or KYC policies, and complete cybersecurity/tech architecture.

License Form Submission: 1 Day

Apply for the UAE payment service provider license with documents and fees to the mainland/free zone authority.

Review: 4 to 12 Week

Respond to queries and provide additional documentation to the Central Bank, Dubai Financial Services Authority, or Financial Services Regulatory Authority if they have any questions regarding your application.

In-Principle Approval: 4 to 14 Weeks

The authority will issue the initial approval after considering your business model, examining the compliance policies, and running background checks of your top managerial personnel.

Establish a Tech Setup and Conduct Audits: 8 to 16 Weeks

Set up a tech infrastructure, integrate with banks, and conduct audits in compliance with PCI-DSS to obtain the final approval by the regulator.

Issuance of the License: 1 to 2 Weeks

Once you submit the final report, the authority will assess your payment system and, accordingly, grant you the payment service provider license in the UAE’s mainland or Free Zone.

What are the Types of Services Under the Payment Service Provider License in the UAE?

The types of services under the payment service provider license in the UAE are as follows:

Payment Account Information Services

Providing enhanced and secure online services to authorized third parties to access a user’s bank account details, like balance and transaction history, with the proper explicit consent of the user.

Payment Account Issuance Services

Companies with a UAE payment service provider license, you are authorized to open and manage e- wallets and accounts. The permit enables you to allow deposits, withdrawals, and transactions for users.

Payment Initiation Services

As a PSP license holder, you’ll be able to initiate payment orders on behalf of the users from their bank accounts. The entire process is secure via authorized consent from the strong customer authentication (SCA).

Payment Token Services

Under the PTS services, a licensor allows clients to secure and manage digital representations of payments like virtual assets and tokens by complying with AML and KYC regulations.

Fund Transfer Services

With a payment service provider (PSP) license in the UAE, you can facilitate secure e-money transfers, P2P payments, and merchant acquiring services. Clients will be able to use digital wallets, direct debit, and UAE/cross-border transactions.

Payment Aggregation Services

PAS, under a payment service provider license in the UAE, can enable businesses to onboard merchants and facilitate online transactions via a single integration by serving as an intermediary.

Merchant Acquiring Services

With a PSP license in the UAE, you can act as an intermediary between merchants, traditional banks, and debit/credit cards to facilitate secure acceptance of payments. Common transactions include digital wallets, card networks, and digital bank transfers.

Payment Instrument Issuance Services

Once you obtain a payment service provider license in the UAE, you will be able to issue prepaid debit/credit cards, wallets, and tokens to companies and individuals.

What are the Criteria for a Payment Service Provider License in the UAE?

The criteria for a payment service provider license in the UAE are as follows:

  • A company registered with the applicable mainland authority.
  • Company incorporation in the DIFC or ADGM financial Free Zone.
  • Directors and shareholders shouldn’t have any criminal background.
  • Minimum capital, ranging from USD 10,000 to USD 2 million & more.
  • The KMP must have relevant experience in the fintech industry.
  • Drafting of AML/CFT policies and procedures.
  • Establishing a risk management system.
  • Procedures of customer due diligence KYC.
  • Detailed mechanism for reporting and internal corporate governance.
  • Secure payment processing systems with cybersecurity measures.
  • System for data protection and fraud prevention.
  • A detailed business plan with target markets/consumers.
  • Operational model with financial statements of at least three years.
  • Physical address, like a small private office with dedicated desks.
  • Sufficient local substances and presence in the office.
 

Need more insights on the capital adequacy mandate for a PSP license in the UAE?

Is there any Compliance Needed after the Payment Service Provider License in the UAE?

The compliance requirements after the payment service provider license in the UAE are as follows:

  • Submit audited financial statements.
  • Maintain and report an adequate capital ratio as per your license category.
  • File Suspicious Transaction Reports (event-based) to the UAE’s FIU authority.
  • Provide an overview of transaction volume and total values.
  • Conduct KYC of all the clients before onboarding them. 
  • Track transactions in real-time. 
  • File annual tax returns irrespective of an income threshold.
  • Maintain segregated accounts for clients.
  • Create and manage escrow and trust accounts with the UAE banks. 
  • Ensure the required capital throughout your license’s validity.
  • Inform the regulator if there’s a change in the compliance/MLRO officer. 
  • Notify the authorities in case of an update in the company’s management. 
  • Conduct penetration tests on the tech systems. 
  • Maintain continuous compliance with the PCI-DSS regulations. 
  • Pay annual fees to keep the operational validity of the license annually. 
  • Set up a dispute resolution system and complaint handling mechanism.
  • Conduct risk assessments and internal/external AML audits. 

Ready to Start Your Journey with a PSP License in the UAE?

Let our experts help you obtain the PSP license in the UAE remotely.

  • No Personal Income Tax
  • 100% Remote Process, Launch from Anywhere

Why Trust Enterslice for PSP License in the UAE?

With a network of over 10,000 professionals globally, we’ve an experience of 15+ years of fintech regulatory compliance in the EMI, PSP, and virtual asset (VASPs) domain. Key reasons to trust Enterslice for PSP License in the UAE are as follows:

  • 99% Application Success Rate
  • Dedicated Compliance Manager for Each Client
  • Successfully Completed Over 400+ PSP Compliance Checks
  • Business Plan Drafting with Projections Within 4 to 5 Days
  • End-to-End Support- From Company Registration to PSP Licensing
  • Partner With Top Banking Startup-Friendly Institutions
  • Query Resolution Within 24-48 Hours
  • Free AML/CFT Compliance for 1 Year
  • Reasonable Leases in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, & Beyond!

FAQs on Payment Service Provider License in the UAE

Depending on the location of the legal entity, a Payment service provider-registered business is governed by:

  • The Central Bank of the UAE for mainland PSPS
  • Dubai Financial Services Authority- for entities incorporated in the DIFC free zone.
  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority in the ADGM Free Zone.

You can expect anywhere between 4 and 12 months based on your regulator, meaning the CBUAE may take around 9 to 12 months, whereas the free zone-based authorities might approve your applications in under 4 to 6 months.

Yes, the sufficient paid-up fund mandate completely depends on your choice of the area and license categories/services, starting from USD 10,000 to USD 2 million. Book a consultation with Enterslice and get a clear idea of the fund deposit amount.

  • Payment account services
  • Instrument issuance, like prepaid cards
  • Merchant acquiring
  • Aggregation services
  • Domestic and international fund transfers
  • Payment initiation 
  • Account information
  • Clearing and settlement services

Technically and legally, you don’t need a UAE-based director. However, you must have a strong local presence, meaning a proper office with a compliance, MLRO officer, top-level tech manager, and at least one operational personnel.
If you want to appear a little more serious to the banking authorities, then we can help you find a UAE sponsor for integrated banking solutions.

A payment service provider license is mainly focused on fiat money transfers and processing of payment transactions, whereas a VASP permit is designed for the management of digital assets-related activities like crypto exchange and custody.

The total cost, including the application fee, license registration, and advisory/consultation, may take around USD 140,000 at a minimum if you’re thinking of starting a PSP business in the UAE.

Yes, as of 2026, there are no restrictions on non-residents seeking a payment service provider license in the United Arab Emirates, provided they satisfy the capital, local substance, and compliance requirements to the regulatory authority.

Yes, the regulators usually reject applications with a virtual office or shared desks. If you want delay-free approval, then you must register a proper physical address, like a small private office.

You must have a dedicated physical office with staff in your company. Depending on your jurisdiction, the ideal regions are:

  • The Dubai International Financial Centre is best for high-tech fintech.
  • Abu Dhabi Global Market- Al Maryah Island- good for startups and regulated fintech companies.
  • Dubai’s Business Bay- ideal for entities seeking registration with the CBUAE or DIFC at an affordable cost.
  • Downtown Dubai for branded fintech companies.
  • Other options include Dubai’s Internet City, Silicon Oasis, and Jumeirah Lake Towers for tech-heavy and reasonable lease solutions for early-stage PSPs.

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