UAE CBUAE PSP License 2026 — Central Bank Payment Services Authorization (RPSCS) Guide

The UAE Mainland Payment Services Framework

The UAE mainland payment services market is regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) under the Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes (RPSCS) Regulation, which came into force in July 2021. The RPSCS framework licenses e-wallet operators, remittance companies, merchant acquirers, payment aggregators, card scheme operators, and payment initiation service providers to serve UAE retail and corporate clients from a mainland entity.

A CBUAE PSP license provides access to the UAE's 10+ million residents and its position as the GCC's leading financial hub — covering e-commerce, digital wallets, cross-border remittances to South Asia and Africa, and merchant payment processing. Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2025 — in force from September 2025 — expanded the regulatory perimeter to include open finance services, payment services using virtual assets, and technology enablers. Entities in scope under the 2025 Law must be licensed by 16 September 2026. Capital requirements range from AED 100,000 (Category IV) to AED 3,000,000 (Category I) under RPSCS, plus a Stored Value Facility (SVF) license from the CBUAE separately for e-wallet products holding client balances (AED 15,000,000 minimum capital for SVF).

RPSCS License Categories

The RPSCS framework organizes PSPs into four categories based on activity scope and risk:

Capital requirements are dynamic — transaction volume can trigger category reclassification. PSPs should build a 24–36 month capital forecast when planning their application, as volume growth may require a Category upgrade and additional capital injection.

SVF (Stored Value Facility) — The E-Wallet License

For operators seeking to hold customer balances (float) in a digital wallet — like Careem Pay, Apple Pay UAE, or a branded e-wallet app — a Stored Value Facility (SVF) license is required separately from or in addition to the RPSCS license.

• •SVF capital — AED 15,000,000 minimum paid-up capital
• •Aggregate Capital Funds ≥ 5% of total e-money float
• •Bank guarantee — typically equal to paid-up capital

The SVF requirement is the most capital-intensive aspect of UAE payment licensing. Most operators apply for RPSCS first (for payment processing without float) and add the SVF authorization separately when wallet functionality is ready for launch. Notable SVF holders include Wise (licensed October 2025), Careem Pay, and the Emirates NBD digital wallet.

CBUAE vs DIFC/ADGM Payment Licensing

The UAE has three regulatory environments for payment businesses. Choosing the correct one is a strategic decision:

For operators targeting the UAE retail market — e-wallets, remittance apps, e-commerce acquiring — the CBUAE RPSCS license is the correct route. For institutional B2B payment services from a DIFC entity, the DFSA framework applies.

2025 Law Expansion — What Is Now In Scope

Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2025 expanded the CBUAE regulatory perimeter effective September 2025. New categories now requiring CBUAE licensing or approval:

• •Open finance service providers (account aggregation, API data sharing)
• •Payment services using virtual assets (crypto-to-fiat payment rails, virtual asset payment processors)
• •Enabling technology providers (technical infrastructure operators whose systems are integral to payment processing)

Cost Breakdown

How Zitadelle AG Assists

• Regulatory scoping — determining your RPSCS category and whether an SVF license is also required
• 2025 Law assessment — confirming whether your activity is newly in scope ahead of the September 2026 deadline
• UAE company incorporation and operational substance setup
• Full CBUAE RPSCS application preparation — business plan, capital forecast, compliance and AML/CFT programmes
• SVF authorization support for e-wallet operators holding customer float
• CBUAE vs DIFC/ADGM jurisdiction analysis for the right regulatory route
• Central Bank submission and follow-up throughout the assessment period
• Post-authorization compliance support and ongoing regulatory obligations

Zitadelle AG assists e-wallet operators, remittance companies, and merchant acquirers with CBUAE RPSCS authorization — from category scoping and UAE incorporation through the full Central Bank application and SVF licensing where required. Contact Zitadelle AG for a confidential initial consultation on your UAE CBUAE PSP License.