Saudi Arabia imposes extra oversight on financial transfers to UAE

Saudi Arabia’s central bank has ramped up scrutiny on financial transfers heading to the United Arab Emirates, effectively placing its Gulf neighbor in the same regulatory bucket as countries typically flagged for money laundering and terrorism financing risks. The move has caused widespread payment delays and blocked transactions, particularly for funds directed to Dubai. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, known as SAMA, notified major banks earlier in 2026 to implement enhanced checks on UAE-bound transfers. The result has been predictable: money that once flowed freely between the two Gulf powerhouses is now getting stuck in compliance queues for weeks at a time. Payments stuck in limbo since May At least six business leaders operating in the UAE have reported delayed or entirely unprocessed transactions since mid-May 2026. Some payments have been blocked outright, while others have been rerouted through unexpected channels, creating confusion for companies that depend on smooth cross-border cash flows. The timing is hard to ignore. These disruptions began just weeks after the UAE formally exited OPEC on April 28, 2026, a departure that deepened an already fraught relationshi...