UAE Central Bank Payment License 2026: Capital Requirements
What it takes to obtain Retail payment services (Cat. I–IV), stored value, payment tokens, exchange houses in UAE onshore (Central Bank): the regulator, minimum capital, local substance, typical timeline and how hard it is to open a corporate bank account, based on regulator publications as of October 2026.
Regulators differ by zone: Dubai mainland and free zones (VARA), DIFC (DFSA), ADGM (FSRA) and the onshore Central Bank. The UAE left the FATF grey list in February 2024.
Key facts (October 2026)
| Regulator | Central Bank of the UAE |
|---|---|
| Main licences | Retail payment services (Cat. I–IV), stored value, payment tokens, exchange houses |
| Minimum capital | Payments AED 100k–3m / stored value AED 15m plus bank guarantee |
| Local substance | Onshore UAE company (outside financial free zones) |
| Typical timeline | In-principle approval, capital and guarantee, final licence |
| Corporate banking | Corporate accounts generally need a UAE-resident signatory |
Capital and fees are taken from regulators' rules and publications (October 2026), in local currency, and are confirmed case by case before applying.
What to consider
- Exchange houses set up as an LLC need AED 25m capital plus an AED 50m bank guarantee under the 2025 rules.
- Dirham payment-token issuers need AED 15m plus 0.5% of tokens outstanding.
Serving clients in Japan
A foreign licence does not let you deal with residents of Japan in FX, securities or crypto: as a rule, Japanese registration is required. See Japan rules.
FAQ
What is the minimum capital for a financial licence in UAE onshore (Central Bank)?
Payments AED 100k–3m / stored value AED 15m plus bank guarantee. Requirements can rise with the activities and size of the business.
How long does licensing take in UAE onshore (Central Bank)?
In-principle approval, capital and guarantee, final licence. Missing documents extend the timeline, so preparation matters.
Do I need staff or an office in UAE onshore (Central Bank)?
Onshore UAE company (outside financial free zones). Nominee-only structures are not accepted; real management and compliance are expected.
Can I open a corporate bank account in UAE onshore (Central Bank)?
Corporate accounts generally need a UAE-resident signatory. We recommend preparing banking in parallel with the licence application.
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