CBUAE Payment
Services License

A PSP (Payment Service Provider) license covers payment processing, merchant acquiring, and card services. An SVF (Stored Value Facility) license is for issuing and managing electronic wallets and prepaid payment instruments. The key difference is that SVFs hold customer funds as stored value, while PSPs facilitate the transfer of funds between parties.

Capital requirements vary by license category. PSP licenses start from AED 5 million, SVF licenses from AED 15 million, and Payment Token (stablecoin) issuers have specific reserve requirements determined by CBUAE based on token volume and risk profile. We provide exact figures during your initial consultation based on your specific business model.

Yes. The CBUAE has introduced a dedicated Payment Token Services framework allowing licensed entities to issue AED-pegged or foreign currency stablecoins. This requires a specific REPS category license and compliance with reserve management, custodial requirements, and DLT infrastructure standards set by the Central Bank.

The typical timeline is 3–6 months from initial assessment to license approval. This includes 1 week for assessment, 2–3 weeks for company structuring, 4–6 weeks for application preparation, 12–16 weeks for CBUAE review, and 2–4 weeks for final issuance. Our established CBUAE relationships help streamline the process.

Yes. All CBUAE-licensed entities must establish a legal presence in the UAE, either on the mainland or in select free zones. Foreign companies can apply with 100% foreign ownership, but must meet fit-and-proper criteria for shareholders, directors, and key personnel. We handle the full entity structuring process.

CBUAE requires PSP applicants to demonstrate robust technology infrastructure including secure payment processing systems, data encryption, disaster recovery, business continuity plans, and compliance with PCI-DSS standards. You'll also need to show cybersecurity frameworks, penetration testing protocols, and regular vulnerability assessments.

Yes. CBUAE-licensed entities can process both domestic and cross-border payments, including remittances and international money transfers. You'll need to establish correspondent banking relationships and comply with additional AML/CFT requirements for international transactions. The license covers all seven emirates for nationwide operations.